DE102017208069A1 - Device for supplying energy to an implant - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for supplying energy to an implant comprises a body-worn element and energy transfer means. The body-worn member is configured to provide electrical, electromagnetic and / or magnetic energy upon expansion and / or movement. The energy transfer means are designed to emit an energy field for supplying energy to the implant based on the electrical, electromagnetic and / or magnetic energy.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device for supplying energy to an implant or a prosthesis and to a corresponding implant. Preferred embodiments relate to an arrangement and method for the wireless energetic supply of implants by transformation of the respiratory energy.

The energy supply of implants or prostheses is a heavily researched topic. So far, implants and prostheses for functional replacement in living organisms by electrochemical energy sources (batteries, accumulators) and / or converters of energy from the environment (light, heat, movement, radiation) supplied.

Batteries are used, for example, for supplying energy to the cochlear or retinal implants, wherein both the power supply and the signal transmission are implemented inductively in a very short way.

In a state-of-the-art approach is shown, according to which a signal transmission inductively between an external unit, here the glasses 10 to an implant 12 he follows. The glasses 10 includes, for example, a camera while the implant 12 For example, an intraocular implant, wherein for signal transmission in the ear, a receiver unit 12e is arranged so that it lies in the region of the eyeglass temple, which serves as a transmitter 10s acts. In addition to the pure signal can also take place here a power supply.

How out 2 B As can be seen, the positioning of the transmitter and receiver pair behind the ear is a predestined variant not only in the area of intraocular implants, but also for cochlear implants. 2 B shows a cochlear implant 12 'with a receiver unit 12e ', opposite which a corresponding transmitter 10s is provided. The transmitter 10s belongs to the outdoor unit 10 which then also via the transmitter 10s realized not only the signal transmission, but also the power supply. This is for example on the outdoor unit 10 a battery is provided.

The electrochemical energy sources are only temporarily usable. They must either be replaced after the consumption of their energy (batteries in hearing aids, CI implants, cardiac pacemakers) or recharged. The changing frequency of the batteries / accumulators varies greatly. While it is an average of one day cycle for hearing aids and cochlear implants, it reaches z. For example, in cardiac pacemakers and implantable defibrillators several years. Especially with the short-term necessary changes, it is onerous for those affected.

In the prior art there are alternative solutions for batteries: EEM (energy harvester), which convert, according to various conversion principles, the energy harvested from their environment into electricity / magnetism. For applications on / in humans, both the energy produced by humans (mechanical, thermal) and surrounding energy sources (light, RF fields, heat) are used. For example, mechanical energy is primarily used by using piezoelectric elements to power various portable systems. Light and heat are converted into electricity by transducers on the body surface to provide power to portable systems, e.g. B. Mobile EEG Measurement System ( 2c ).

2c shows another state of the art approach, but not in the context of implants, but in the context of EEG measurement systems. This EEG measuring system shown here 14 is worn as a headband and includes a thermoelectric converter for powering the portable EEG measurement system.

Such EEMs are connected to the portable sensory and / or motor system with a current carrying lead. This is another reason why it is not always possible to connect an otherwise effective EEM to the system to be supplied. Therefore, there is a need for an improved approach.

The object of the present invention is to find improved energy supply routes for implants on the human body.

The object is solved by the independent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a device for powering an implant with a body-worn element and energy transfer means. For example, the body worn member may be a chest strap and is configured to provide electrical, electromagnetic, or magnetic energy upon expansion or generally during movement. The energy transfer means are designed to be based on the electrical, electromagnetic or magnetic energy, an energy field, for. B. in the form of a magnetic field to the energy supply of the implant.

It should be noted that the energy conversion means and the energy transfer means by one and the same element, such as. B. a mechanical-magnetic element or a mechano-magnetic thread, which is designed to emit a magnetic field as an energy field in response to a mechanical deformation, from which then the implant is supplied with energy. In this respect, according to embodiments, the body-worn member includes both the power generating means and the power transmitting means.

According to preferred embodiments, the element carried on the body is an element worn around the breast, such as a breast. As a chest belt, which is designed to convert the energy of breathing into electrical and / or magnetic energy.

The core of the present invention is therefore that it has been recognized that implants, such. As cochlear implants, but also prostheses can be powered by worn on the body energy harvester, if the particular body movement extracted energy wirelessly transmitted to the implants or prostheses. This approach eliminates the need for a temporary (electrochemical) energy source that needs to be replaced and recharged. This eliminates the annoying and user-friendly periodic replacement of the battery or recharging. This is also a socio-medical contribution to the quality of life. From an economic point of view, all costs for relatively expensive energy sources as well as personnel costs of the often necessary medical or medical-technical personnel are eliminated. External parts of an implant (cochlear implant, retina implant, neuronal stimulator) become superfluous, so that the implant can be accommodated completely intracorporeally. This represents technologically, medically and psychologically a significant improvement over the prior art.

Further embodiments relate to a variant in which primarily electrical energy, for. B. is provided by a piezoelectric element or a tribulogical element based on the movement or the expansion. In this case, in accordance with a further embodiment, an energy converter can then also be provided on the side of the energy transmission means, which then converts this electrical energy into an energy field, such as, for example, an energy field. B. converts an electric field or magnetic field. Here, for example, induction coils are conceivable.

According to a further embodiment, the energy transfer means are formed, the energy field focused to the implant, d. H. when provided support form of the body worn element to the implant, z. B. in the direction of the head, if it is a cochlear or a retina implant to radiate. According to preferred embodiments, a magnetic field is radiated. In accordance with a further exemplary embodiment, the radiation can take place in this magnetic field in such a way that the field lines extend through the implant or around the implant.

Another embodiment relates to an outer garment, such. As a shirt or undershirt, which has integrated the above-mentioned device. This undershirt may be formed, for example, from the above-described mechano-magnetic threads.

Another embodiment relates to an implant, such. B. a cochlear implant having energy receiving means, wherein the energy receiving means are aligned with intended implantation of the implant to the ribcage of the human body. Here, the proposed implantation refers to the appropriate orientation with respect to the human body, such. B. against the bone.

Another embodiment relates to a system with a corresponding harvester device and the implant. Of course, in this system, the harvester device may be integrated into an outer garment.

• 1a eine schematische Darstellung eines am Körper getragenen Energie-Harvesters zur Versorgung eines Implantats gemäß einem Basisausführungsbeispiel;
• 1b eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren am Körper getragenen Energie-Harvesters in einer anderen Implementierung gemäß einem weiteren Basisausführungsbeispiel;
• 1c eine schematische Darstellung eines am Körper getragenen Energie-Harvesters in Form eines Oberbekleidungsstücks gemäß einem erweiterten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2a-c schematische Darstellungen von Implantaten bzw. allgemein am Körper getragenen Elementen zur Erläuterung von Stand-der-Technik-Ansätzen zur Energieversorgung dieser Elemente.

Further developments are defined by the subclaims. Embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1a a schematic representation of a body-worn energy harvester for supplying an implant according to a basic embodiment;
• 1b a schematic representation of another body-worn energy harvester in another implementation according to another basic embodiment;
• 1c a schematic representation of a body-worn energy harvester in the form of an outer garment according to an extended embodiment;
• 2a-c schematic representations of implants or generally worn on the body elements for explaining state-of-the-art approaches to power these elements.

Before embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below, it should be pointed out that elements and structures having the same function have the same reference numerals are provided so that the description of which is mutually applicable or interchangeable.

1a shows a human body 1 a patient who has an implant 12 , such as B. implanted a cochlear implant in his head. The body 1 carries the device 5 for the energy supply of the implant 12 , The device 5 is designed to mechanical energy, such. B. in the form of an explosion or a movement in electrical and / or electrical energy and this wireless the implant 12 to provide.

Here, so to speak, two functions, namely the actual energy harvesting and the wireless energy transmission unites, wherein the two functions can be realized either by combined or separate means. The embodiment of 1a shows the separated approach.

In the present embodiment 1a is the device 5 designed as a bandage or generally as a body-worn element, which is stretched here in the rib cage. The energy-generating elements, such as. B. piezoelectric filaments are denoted by the reference numeral 6 provided with these with an appropriate electronics 8th connected to the wireless power transmission. This electronics 8th For example, on the implant 12 be arranged facing side.

As explained, the device is 5 around an element worn on the chest. In this respect, harvesting is designed for the respiratory activity that is present in any living organism anyway. The breathing activity leads to an expansion of the bandage 5 , which then converts this expansion energy into electrical (piezoelectric, tribological) or magnetic energy. With the help of the (electronic) circuit 8th For example, the energy gained is converted into a magnetic field or, more generally, into an energy field 7 transformed. The field lines of the specifically generated field (magnetic field) run in such a way that the implants 12 or prostheses can use it to generate electricity to maintain their functionality.

Hereinafter, a possible implementation according to an extended embodiment will be explained. A CI (cochlear implant) 12 should be supplied with electricity. So far, this is done via an induction loop through an extracorporeal system (speech processor including battery on the auricle). One can instead attach induction loops in the skull, preferably in the middle or inner ear, that of the energy converter 5 generated magnetic field 7 Convert internally into electricity and use it to power your own electronics. The energy converter itself may be, for example, a belt with piezoelectric material or a shirt with woven piezoelectric filaments, which use the mechanics of the chest to generate energy. In the belt / shirt is an electronic circuit that converts the energy gained so that it can be transmitted wirelessly via a magnetic field (induction) to the implant or prosthesis. This eliminates the need for a temporary functioning energy source (battery) and a cable connection between energy converter and implant / prosthesis.

It should be noted at this point that, even if in the embodiments of 1a and piezoelectric fields has been assumed, of course, other transducer elements can be used. Several technologies (piezoelectric, tribological, moving magnets, etc.) can be used to construct portable energy converters. These may have the shape of a strap around the ribcage, but they can also be woven directly into the otherwise standard worn textiles (undershirt, shirt, jacket). The electronics required for inductive power transmission can be integrated directly into the belt or into the textile with today's technology (CMOS / ASIC, FPGA, ultra low power DSP, etc.).

Referring to 1b becomes the integrated approach of the device 5 ' explained. The device 5 ' here comprises so-called "mechano-magnetic threads" 6 'or generally mechano-magnetic elements 6 ' for energy production. These are designed to z. B. during expansion or generally during movement, geharvest directly the mechanical energy to an energy field such. B. to generate a magnetic field to the implant 12 of the patient 1 to provide energy.

This would make the otherwise necessary for the electricity electronics and therefore also the applied energy needs become redundant. The mechano-magnetic filaments would generate the required magnetic field itself, therefore, from the viewpoint of energy and technological efficiency would be the optimal variant.

In this embodiment, the most hardened energy becomes inductive to the implant 12 transferable. According to further embodiments, it is not absolutely necessary that an implant 12 is supplied with energy, but also generally a portable system, such. B. an EEG system can be operated with this energy.

Another embodiment relates to the implant 12 , in this is the energy receiving element, such. B. the induction coil arranged such that it is the energy field 7 can receive optimal. For this purpose, this is the means for energy transfer 8th or in the case of the embodiment 1b to the device 5 ' aligned. It is assumed that the device 5 respectively. 5 ' is worn accordingly, ie in the above embodiments around the chest. Next it is assumed that the implant according to certain specifications in the human body 1 is implanted, for. B. always rests with one side of the bone, so that the alignment in the body 1 is known. Seen from another side, that means that the energy receiving means of the implant 12 so in relation to a reference surface of the implant 12 are arranged so that when the reference surface is correct to the body 1 is arranged, the energy receiving means to energy transfer means 8th or 8th' are aligned.

1c shows a further embodiment of the device, namely the device 5 ' , This is an outerwear element formed from respective piezoelectric or mechano-magnetic filaments, so that the outer garment performs the task of energy harvesting from movement of the body 1 as well as the energy transfer can make. Optionally, this can also be one with the electronics 8th be provided comparable electronics (not shown).

For the outerwear (T-shirt, undershirt) shown above, it should be noted that other clothing or also generally a belt, the z. B. is worn on the upper arm, would be possible. The outerwear piece is predestined only because it is usually, for. B. is constantly moved by breathing and so energy does not need to be buffered. Furthermore, in terms of removal, the outerwear element is generally not so far away from the implants to be treated (cochlear implant or retina implant in the head or pacemaker in the chest region) that efficient energy transmission of the energy field should still be possible.

Further exemplary embodiments relate to the fact that the implant or the energy harvesting device has means for energy buffering in the event that there is no energy for a short time or that the corresponding item of clothing is to be pulled out. This is especially important for implants for life support (pacemaker).

Another embodiment relates to a system comprising an element to be supplied, such. As an implant or a prosthesis in combination with an energy-generating device, as in the embodiments of the 1a-c is shown.

Another embodiment relates to a method for supplying energy to an implant or a prosthesis. The method comprises the steps: energy conversion of a mechanical energy or an expansion or movement and the wireless energy transfer, z. B. by means of a magnetic field. This method also includes the intermediate steps of the intermediate energy transformations (mechanical in electrical and electrical in magnetic).

Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it will be understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of a device is also to be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by a hardware device (or using a hardware device). Apparatus), such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

Depending on particular implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or FLASH memory, a hard disk, or other magnetic disk or optical memory are stored on the electronically readable control signals that can cooperate with a programmable computer system or cooperate such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital storage medium can be computer readable.

Thus, some embodiments according to the invention include a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of interacting with a programmable computer system such that one of the methods described herein is performed.

In general, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product having a program code, wherein the program code is operable to perform one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer.

The program code can also be stored, for example, on a machine-readable carrier.

Other embodiments include the computer program for performing any of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable medium.

In other words, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program which has a program code for performing one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program is recorded for carrying out one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals, which represent the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

Another embodiment includes a processing device, such as a computer or a programmable logic device, that is configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment includes a computer on which the computer program is installed to perform one of the methods described herein.

Another embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or system adapted to transmit a computer program for performing at least one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The transmission can be done for example electronically or optically. The receiver may be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device or a similar device. For example, the device or system may include a file server for transmitting the computer program to the recipient.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (eg, a field programmable gate array, an FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of the functionality of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein. In general, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by any hardware device. This may be a universal hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or hardware specific to the process, such as an ASIC.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

Claims (15)

Device (5, 5 ') for supplying energy to an implant (12) or a prosthesis, having the following features: a body-worn member (5, 5 ') configured to provide electrical, electromagnetic and / or magnetic energy upon expansion and / or movement; Energy transmission means (5 ', 8), which are designed to emit an energy field (7) for supplying energy to the implant (12) on the basis of the electrical, electromagnetic and / or magnetic energy. Device (5, 5 ') according to Claim 1 wherein the body-worn member (5, 5 ') comprises a chest strap and / or is adapted to be worn on the chest of a human body. Device (5, 5 ') according to Claim 2 wherein the body-worn member (5, 5 ') is adapted to experience expansion from a respiratory motion. Device (5, 5 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body-worn element (5, 5') comprises at least one mechano-magnetic element. Device (5, 5 ') according to Claim 4 wherein the at least one mechanoelectric element is a mechano-magnetic thread (6, 6 '). Device (5, 5 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the energy transfer means (5 ', 8) comprise an energy converter configured to provide the energy field (7) based on the electrical energy. Device (5, 5 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 3 and 6 wherein the body-worn member (5, 5 ') comprises a piezo element or tribological element. Device (5, 5 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy transmission means (5', 8) are designed to radiate the energy field (7) focused to the implant (12). Device (5, 5 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy can be transmitted by a magnetic field as an energy field (7). Device (5, 5 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the energy is radiated such that the field lines extend through the implant (12) or around the implant (12). Device (5, 5 ') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (5, 5') has the shape of a chest belt. Outer clothing with a device (5, 5 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , A human body implant (12) having a energy receiving element configured to receive magnetic energy, wherein the energy receiving element is oriented toward the thorax of the human body when implanted. Implant (12) according to Claim 13 wherein the intended implantation is defined by an orientation of the implant (12) relative to the human body. System with a device (5, 5 ') according to one of Claims 1 to 11 or an outerwear Claim 12 and an implant (12) according to Claim 13 or 14 ,

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