Wireless Medical Tool Charging via Navigation Magnetic Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electromagnetic navigation systems, battery-powered medical tools used for procedures like catheterization face power failures due to cumbersome battery sizes and weights, hindering smooth maneuverability during lengthy procedures.
Innovation Solution
The integration of charging coils around the tool's surface to harness energy from magnetic fields generated by the same wireless transmission devices used for location determination, allowing for continuous power supply without increasing battery size, thus enhancing ergonomics and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If battery size is increased to provide continuous power during lengthy procedures, then power supply duration is improved, but tool weight and size increase, reducing maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the location determination function and power charging function into a single integrated system. The charging coils are wound around the same tool structure that contains location sensors, allowing both electromagnetic navigation and wireless recharging to occur simultaneously using the same magnetic field infrastructure. This merging eliminates the need for separate charging hardware that would add weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic field generation system serves dual purposes: it provides location determination signals for navigation and simultaneously provides energy transfer for battery recharging. The emitter coils generate magnetic fields that are detected by receiving coils for position tracking, while the same magnetic fields induce current in charging coils to recharge the battery. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system self-sufficient without additional weight.
2Reliability
If battery capacity is increased to avoid power failures during lengthy procedures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous recharging during the procedure by winding charging coils around the tool handle. As the tool moves through the magnetic field generated by the navigation system, the charging coils continuously harvest energy to recharge the battery. This continuous action ensures the battery never depletes, maintaining power supply reliability without requiring an oversized battery that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recharges itself during normal operation by utilizing the magnetic fields already present for navigation. The charging coils are integrated into the tool structure and automatically harvest energy from the electromagnetic environment without requiring external charging equipment or manual intervention. This self-service capability maintains reliability while keeping the device simple.
3Measurement precision
If wireless transmission power is increased to improve location signal strength, then measurement precision is improved, but energy consumption increases, reducing battery life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the energy that would otherwise be wasted as electromagnetic radiation into useful charging energy. The magnetic fields generated for high-power location signaling, which consume significant battery energy, are simultaneously captured by charging coils to recharge the battery. This transforms the harmful energy consumption into a beneficial recharging mechanism, allowing high transmission power for precise location determination without net energy loss.
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 solution ensures continuous power supply to medical tools during prolonged procedures, reducing battery size and weight, and facilitating easier handling and navigation by medical personnel.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving coil, disposed at the tool, configured to receive one or more magnetic fields emitted by the one or more emitter coils and generate electrical signals indicative of a location of the tool
Implementation Method 2
one or more charging coils electrically connected to the battery, each of the one or more charging coils configured to (i) receive energy from the one or more magnetic fields passing through a surface of the one or more charging coils and (ii) supply the energy to the battery to charge the battery
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromagnetic navigation system having a wireless, battery-powered medical tool (300) is provided. The system charges the medical tool (300) using energy from the same magnetic fields used to locate the tool in 3-D space. The system includes one or more wireless transmission devices which generate the magnetic fields. The medical tool includes a receiving coil (304) which generates electrical signals indicative of a location of the tool in response to receiving the magnetic fields. The tool also includes a wireless interface (312) which provides electrical signals for processing to determine the location of the tool in 3-D space and a battery (302) which supplies power to the tool. The tool also includes one or more charging coils (306), electrically connected to the battery (302). Each charging coil receives energy from the magnetic fields passing through a charging coil surface and supplies the energy to the battery to charge the battery.