Enhancing longevity of implanted medical devices

描述（由申请人提供）：需要用于植入医疗设备的无线充电电池的先进方法。大多数植入物的使用寿命受到电源寿命的限制。该计划的目标是在临床部署的胃括约肌刺激系统中实现超声电充电系统（USerTM）的开发。第一阶段的成功将扩大现有治疗设备的使用范围，并展示USerTM作为许多其他植入物的动力平台的潜力。这种电力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，它从未被用于向医疗设备无线供电。拟议的项目将影响技术能力，从而影响临床实践。目前给植入式电池充电的方法是通过电磁感应。虽然有用，但它也有其局限性，例如它可以有效传输的组织深度，使用日益拥挤的电磁频率，以及杂散电磁场在人体和局部环境中的传播。超声波充电可以：1)在电磁感应法不能满足的情况下提供另一种选择；2)减少暴露于辐射；3)避免因重复使用相同的电磁频率而产生冲突。具体目标将处理必须回答的问题，以证明可行性。其目的是表明，该应用所需的功率可以在植入物的几何限制内交付，而以前的充电电路

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.