Wireless Implantable Nerve Stimulation With External Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices for nerve stimulation are limited by their large size, high cost, and inefficiency, requiring invasive procedures and frequent battery replacements, which hinder their application in various therapeutic areas.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an external device and an implantable device that communicate via transmission signals, utilizing antennas and energy storage assemblies to deliver stimulation energy efficiently while minimizing invasiveness and maximizing communication bandwidth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If implantable devices use traditional battery and conduit configurations, then they can deliver electrical energy for nerve stimulation, but the device size becomes large and requires invasive implantation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the battery and long conduits from the implantable device, placing the power source externally while maintaining the nerve stimulation function through wireless power transfer and thin-film electrode arrays that can be delivered via minimally invasive catheter-based techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-powered system with a wireless electromagnetic power transfer system, using external coils to induce currents in internal coils for powerless implants, thereby eliminating the need for large batteries and complex mechanical battery replacement procedures
2Duration of action of moving object
If implantable devices use large batteries and long conduits, then they can provide sustained power and reach distant nerves, but the implantation procedure becomes highly invasive and requires periodic battery replacement surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the implantable device into separate functional components: a minimally invasive implantable unit with thin-film electrodes and a separate external power source, allowing the implant to be delivered through small incisions while the external battery provides sustained power without requiring surgical replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal external power source that can wirelessly power multiple different implantable devices through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for device-specific batteries and enabling a single external unit to serve multiple therapeutic applications
3Volume of moving object
If implantable devices are miniaturized for less invasive procedures, then surgical intervention is reduced, but power delivery capability and communication bandwidth are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from internal power storage (3D battery constraints) to external power delivery (electromagnetic field dimension), allowing unlimited power supply from the external source while maintaining miniaturized implant dimensions, and uses planar thin-film electrode arrays to deliver stimulation energy across two-dimensional surfaces
4Ease of operation
If implantable devices use wireless power transfer with external antennas, then device size is reduced and invasiveness is minimized, but communication bandwidth may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges power transfer and data communication functions into a single wireless electromagnetic interface, using the same external and internal coils for both energy delivery and bidirectional communication, thereby eliminating separate communication hardware that would increase device size while maintaining full data exchange capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables miniaturized, efficient, and less invasive nerve stimulation, allowing for enhanced treatment of chronic diseases and pain conditions with improved power management and reduced surgical interventions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one external antenna configured to transmit a first transmission signal to the implantable system
Implementation Method 2
at least one implantable antenna configured to receive the first transmission signal from the first external device
Implementation Method 3
an implantable energy storage assembly configured to provide power to an element selected from the group consisting of: the at least one stimulation element; the implantable controller; the implantable receiver
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3~3D
AI summary
A medical apparatus for a patient comprises an external system and an implantable system. The external system is configured to transmit one or more transmission signals, each transmission signal comprising at least power or data. The implantable system is configured to receive the one or more transmission signals from the external system, and to deliver stimulation energy to the patient. Methods of delivering stimulation energy are also provided.