Wireless Recharge of Implantable Medical Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implantable medical devices, such as leadless cardiac pacemakers, face limitations due to the size constraints of their power sources, which are often dominated by batteries, limiting their lifespan and requiring larger batteries that occupy significant internal space, making them less efficient and harder to implant in smaller spaces.
Innovation Solution
A near-field energy transmitter system that wirelessly recharges a rechargeable power source within the implantable medical device, allowing for a smaller device size while maintaining longevity, by transmitting near-field energy to a receiving coil that converts it into electrical energy, reducing the need for large batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the battery size is increased to extend device lifespan, then the device longevity is improved, but the device size increases and becomes harder to implant in smaller spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The power source performs self-service by being rechargeable through wireless energy transfer. The implantable device contains a receiving coil that captures near-field energy from an external transmitter, converting it to electrical energy to recharge the battery. This self-recharging capability eliminates the need for large batteries while extending operational lifespan, as the device can be recharged multiple times externally.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the battery size is increased to maintain longevity, then the power capacity is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using larger batteries with a wireless energy transfer system. Instead of increasing battery size to boost power capacity, the system uses near-field electromagnetic coupling between an external transmitter and an internal receiving coil to deliver energy wirelessly, simplifying the device structure while maintaining or enhancing power capacity.
3Duration of action of moving object
If wireless recharging capability is added, then the device lifespan is extended, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving coil serves multiple functions: it acts as both a communication antenna and an energy reception coil. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the additional complexity introduced by wireless recharging capability while achieving extended device lifespan through rechargeable power.
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
Enables a longer device lifespan and smaller device size, facilitating easier implantation in confined spaces and potentially reducing production costs, while ensuring the device meets longevity requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a transmit coil configured to transmit near-field energy to the implantable medical device
Implementation Method 2
a receiving coil that may capture the near-field energy and then convert the near-field energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
Near-field energy transmitters for charging a rechargeable power source of an implantable medical device (IMD). In some cases, the transmitter may include an output driver that may drive a transmit coil such that near-field energy is transmitted to the IMD at a determined frequency. In some cases, the IMD may include a receiving coil that may capture the near-field energy and then convert the near-field energy into electrical energy that may be used to recharge the rechargeable power source. Since the rechargeable power source does not have to maintain sufficient energy stores in a single charge for the entire expected life of the IMD, the power source itself and thus the IMD may be made smaller while still meeting device longevity requirements.