Enhancing longevity of implanted medical devices

描述（由申请人提供）：需要为植入式医疗器械的电池无线充电的先进方法。大多数植入物的使用寿命受到电源寿命的限制。该项目的目标是在临床部署的胃括约肌刺激系统中实施UltraSound电充电系统（USerTM）的开发。一个成功的第一阶段将导致扩大使用现有的治疗设备，也证明了USerTM作为许多其他植入物的动力平台的潜力。这种能量输送和治疗的结合是创新的。虽然超声波发射和接收技术长期以来一直用于材料测试，但据我们所知，它从未用于医疗设备的无线功率传输。 拟议项目将影响技术能力，从而影响临床实践。目前对可植入电池进行再充电的方法是通过电磁感应。虽然有用，但它有其局限性，例如它可以有效传输的组织深度，使用越来越拥挤的电磁频率，以及杂散电磁场传播到身体和局部环境中。超声充电可以1）在电磁感应方法不足以满足的情况下提供另一种选择，2）减少暴露于辐射，以及3）避免由于重叠使用相同电磁频率而引起的冲突。 具体目标将处理必须回答以证明可行性的问题。其目的是表明应用所需的功率可以在植入物的几何约束内输送，充电电路先前 所开发的系统可以基本上小型化以适合植入物，并对系统进行体内测试。 无线电力传输技术基于众所周知的超声波原理，该原理在诊断应用中以其安全性而闻名。潜在的优势包括更小的发射器和接收器，消除电磁干扰和金属部件的加热，以及将电力传输到体内更深的部位。这项新技术将推动新的治疗应用，从而改善医疗选择，以应对医疗条件。 USerTM技术将支持美国国立卫生研究院的使命，以实现改善人类健康和降低医疗成本的目标。这将通过最大限度地减少电池更换操作引起的痛苦和并发症，通过提供更多电力增加植入物功能，提高患者满意度和依从性，以及减少更换电池和其他组件的操作来实现。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Advanced methods for wirelessly recharging batteries for implanted medical devices are needed. The useful lifetime of most implants is constrained by the longevity of the power source. The goal of this program is to implement the development of an UltraSound Electrical Recharging system (USerTM) within a clinically deployed gastric sphincter stimulation system. A successful Phase I will lead to expanded use of an existing therapeutic device, and also demonstrate the potential of USerTM as a power platform for many other implants. This combination of power delivery and therapy is innovative. While the ultrasound transmit and receive technique has long been used for materials testing, to our knowledge it has never been employed for wireless power delivery to medical devices. The proposed project will influence technical capability and hence clinical practice. The present method of recharging implantable batteries has been via electromagnetic induction. Although useful, it has its limitations, such as the depth of tissue through which it can effectively transmt, the use of increasingly crowded electromagnetic frequencies, and the propagation of stray electromagnetic fields into the body and the local environment. Ultrasound recharging can 1) provide another option in cases where the electromagnetic induction method does not suffice, 2) reduce exposure to radiation, and 3) avoid conflicts due to overlapping uses of the same electromagnetic frequencies. The specific aims will deal with questions that must be answered to prove feasibility. The aims are to show that the power required for the application can be delivered within the geometrical constraints of the implant, that the charging circuitry previously developed can be substantially miniaturized to fit into the implant, and to conduct in vivo tests o the system. The wireless power transmission technology is based on well-known principles of ultrasound which is known for its safety in diagnostic applications. The potential advantages include smaller transmitters and receivers, elimination of electromagnetic interference and heating of metal parts, and the transmission of power to deeper sites in the body. This new technique will drive new therapeutic applications, hence improving medical options to combat medical conditions. The USerTM technology will support the NIH mission in its goals of improving human health and reducing healthcare costs. This will be done by minimizing the distress and complications caused by battery replacement operations, by increasing the implant functions via providing more power, by improving patient satisfaction and compliance, and by reducing operations to replace batteries and other components.