Wireless Implantable Stimulator with Reconfigurable Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable neural modulation systems are costly and require invasive procedures, limiting their accessibility and increasing healthcare costs, while also facing challenges in efficiently delivering electrical impulses to target nerve tissues without physical connections or inductive coupling.
Innovation Solution
A wireless implantable stimulator device with reconfigurable electrodes that can form an enclosure around excitable tissue, powered by radiofrequency energy through electrical radiative coupling, allowing for directional electrical impulse delivery and modulation of nerve tissues without the need for physical connections or inductive coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a wireless implantable stimulator device is used to deliver electrical impulses to nerve tissues, then the need for physical connections is eliminated and patient comfort is improved, but the complexity of delivering sufficient electrical energy without inductive coupling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/physical connection system (inductive coupling with coils) with a wireless electromagnetic radiation-based power and data transmission system. The implantable device receives RF energy through an antenna and uses rectenna circuitry to convert electromagnetic energy into electrical energy for stimulating the nerve, eliminating the need for inductive coupling mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an antenna and rectenna circuitry as intermediary components that mediate the energy transfer between the external RF source and the implantable stimulator. This intermediary system enables wireless power and data transmission through electrical radiative coupling, solving the complexity of delivering electrical energy without direct physical connections.
2Reliability
If traditional implantable neural modulation systems are used, then reliable electrical impulse delivery is achieved, but the cost of the procedure and device increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The implantable device is designed to harvest and generate its own operating power from received RF energy through the rectenna system, eliminating the need for an internal battery. This self-powered approach reduces device complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable operation, as the device automatically converts ambient RF energy into the electrical power needed for neural stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna serves multiple functions: it acts as both the receiving element for RF power transmission and the transmitting element for telemetry data communication. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed in the implantable device, lowering manufacturing costs and improving accessibility while maintaining reliable electrical impulse delivery.
3Device complexity
If a fixed electrode configuration is used in the implantable device, then the device structure is simplified, but the ability to effectively modulate different nerve targets is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reconfigurable electrode array that can dynamically change its configuration after implantation. The electrodes can be repositioned or reconfigured to target different nerve structures, allowing the same implantable device to adapt to various clinical needs and patient anatomies without requiring multiple fixed-configur ation devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode array is divided into multiple independently controllable electrode segments or contacts. This segmentation allows selective activation of different electrode portions to target specific nerve fibers or regions, providing versatility in neural modulation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure that can be controlled through software or external programming.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, minimally invasive method for neural modulation, enabling efficient delivery of electrical impulses to target tissues, thereby expanding treatment accessibility and reducing healthcare costs while improving therapeutic efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
powered by radiofrequency energy through electrical radiative coupling
Implementation Method 2
causing electrical impulses to be delivered to the electrodes on the wireless implantable stimulator device such that neural modulation is applied to the excitable tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations provide a method for modulating excitable tissue in a body of a patient, the method including: placing a wireless implantable stimulator device at a target site in the patient's body, the stimulator device including one or more electrodes; reconfiguring the wireless implantable stimulator device to form an enclosure that substantially surrounds the excitable tissue at the target site with the electrodes on the inside of the enclosure and facing the nerve; and causing electrical impulses to be delivered to the electrodes on the wireless implantable stimulator device such that neural modulation is applied to the excitable tissue substantially surrounded by the enclosure.