Wireless Implantable Stimulation Device Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The size constraints of in-vivo implantable devices limit the number of electrodes that can be used for recording and stimulation, restricting the resolution and selectivity of physiological signal manipulation.
Innovation Solution
Wireless coupling between devices allows for the separation of components, enabling a smaller stimulation device to interface with more electrodes without increasing size, using electromagnetic induction between coils for communication and power transfer, and allowing for real-time, closed-loop stimulation and data recording.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If more electrodes are added to increase recording and stimulation selectivity, then the number of connector contacts must increase, but this increases the size of the implantable device
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate devices: a stimulation device with electrodes that can be physically separated from the auxiliary device. This segmentation allows the stimulation device to maintain a compact size while the auxiliary device houses the connector contacts and wiring, resolving the contradiction between having more electrodes and maintaining small device size.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless communication acts as an intermediary between the stimulation device and auxiliary device, eliminating the need for physical connector contacts on the stimulation device. This allows the stimulation device to interface with more electrodes through the wireless connection without increasing its physical size.
2Area of stationary object
If wireless coupling is implemented to separate components, then device size is reduced, but power and data transfer reliability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical electrical connections with electromagnetic coupling for power and data transfer between devices. This substitution eliminates physical connectors while maintaining reliable transfer through magnetic field coupling, solving the contradiction between reduced device size and maintained reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless coupling system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides power transfer, data communication, and coordination between the stimulation device and auxiliary device. This multi-functionality through a single electromagnetic interface maintains system reliability while enabling component separation and size reduction.
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
This approach enables improved treatment efficacy by allowing for more electrodes, reducing the need for physical connections, and providing flexible therapeutic energy delivery without increasing the device's size, with the ability to accommodate various anatomical sites and energy needs.
Implementation Method 1
A coil in the stimulation device can wirelessly couple to a coil in an auxiliary device through electromagnetic induction
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable systems are described that include a stimulation device positionable in vivo and configured to communicatively couple to electrodes configured to stimulate or block body tissue and an auxiliary device positionable in vivo and including one or more coils configured to wirelessly couple, in vivo, to the stimulation device and to wirelessly couple to an ex vivo device. The auxiliary device may include a coil driver and a power source controlled by a processor and memory for storing data instructions for the coil driver and for storing data received from the stimulation device. The auxiliary device may also include a radio transceiver and an antenna. The stimulation device may include a housing, a coil, a power source and an integrated circuit for controlling the electrodes. The stimulation device may be coupled to a cuff via a lead and physically coupled to the auxiliary device.