Implantable wireless accoustic stimulators with high energy conversion efficiencies
Inventors
Moore, David F. • Mohr, Paul • Willis, N. Parker • Brisken, Axel F.
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10806938-B2
Publication Date
2020-10-20
Expiration Date
Abstract
Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an implantable receiver-stimulator for harvesting acoustic power from an acoustic field and generating electrical power. A sealed enclosure includes an inner and an outer surface, and a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components is mounted to the inner surface and distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions to harvest acoustic power efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field.
The receiver-stimulator includes a circuit assembly configured to deliver the electrical power to at least two stimulation electrodes. The stimulation electrodes receive the electrical power and deliver electrical power to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue. The acoustic power is converted to electrical power using the acoustic piezoelectric components disposed within the sealed enclosure.
An end cap includes a second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components. The first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components has a first piezoelectric axis, and the second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components has a second piezoelectric axis substantially perpendicular to the first piezoelectric axis, and in one described aspect the first plurality is non-isotropic and distributed such that the device is isotropic.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover an implantable receiver-stimulator having a sealed enclosure with distributed, multi-direction acoustic piezoelectric components; electrical power delivery to at least two stimulation electrodes for tissue stimulation; an end cap with a second plurality of piezoelectric components having a substantially perpendicular piezoelectric axis; and, in certain claims, rectifier-based conversion to a biologically stimulating electrical output and specific circuit material structures.
Distributed piezoelectric components in a sealed enclosure
A sealed enclosure with an inner and an outer surface; a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components mounted to the inner surface; the acoustic piezoelectric components distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions such that the acoustic power is harvested efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field.
Electrical power delivery to tissue via stimulation electrodes
A circuit assembly configured to deliver the electrical power to at least two stimulation electrodes which receive the electrical power and deliver the electrical power to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue.
Perpendicular piezoelectric axes between enclosure and end cap
An end cap having a second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components, wherein the first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components has a first piezoelectric axis, and wherein the second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components has a second piezoelectric axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first piezoelectric axis.
Biologically stimulating electrical output using rectifiers and corresponding piezoelectric components
A plurality of rectifiers, wherein each rectifier is electrically connected to a corresponding acoustic piezoelectric component of the first plurality such that the electrical power from the acoustic piezoelectric components is converted by the rectifiers to a biologically stimulating electrical output; wherein the acoustic piezoelectric components and the rectifiers are disposed on the circuit assembly.
Thin film dielectric with thin film metal conductors
A circuit assembly configured to deliver the electrical power to at least two stimulation electrodes at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue, wherein the circuit assembly comprises a thin film dielectric with thin film metal conductors.
Residual charge removal on stimulation electrodes
The circuit assembly comprises one or more rectifiers connected to the stimulation electrodes and circuitry to remove residual charge accumulated on the stimulation electrodes.
Non-isotropic piezoelectric components for isotropy
The acoustic piezoelectric components are non-isotropic and the acoustic piezoelectric components are distributed about the inner surface facing multiple directions such that the device is isotropic.
Manufacturing by arranging piezoelectric components and rectifiers on a circuit and folding or rolling into a can
A method for manufacturing an implantable receiver-stimulator for converting an acoustic field to electrical power comprising arranging a circuit on a sheet; arranging a first plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components on the circuit; arranging a plurality of individual rectifier components on the circuit; electrically connecting each rectifier to a corresponding piezoelectric component such that the rectifier components convert electrical power output from the piezoelectric components to a biologically stimulating electrical output; electrically connecting the biologically stimulating electrical output to a pair of stimulation electrodes; folding or rolling the sheet into an octagonal or otherwise substantially cylindrical can structure; and affixing an end cap to the can structure having a second plurality of acoustic piezoelectric components with a substantially perpendicular piezoelectric axis relative to the first plurality.
Across the independent claims, the core inventive coverage is directed to harvesting acoustic power with a sealed enclosure using distributed acoustic piezoelectric components oriented in multiple directions, converting and delivering electrical power to at least two stimulation electrodes to stimulate tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels, and using an end cap with a second piezoelectric axis substantially perpendicular to the first. Additional independent claim coverage includes rectifier conversion to a biologically stimulating electrical output, circuit material implementation using thin film dielectric and thin film metal conductors, residual charge removal circuitry for the stimulation electrodes, and a manufacturing method using folding or rolling into an octagonal or substantially cylindrical can.
Stated Advantages
Harvests acoustic power efficiently from any direction of the propagating acoustic field.
Delivers electrical power to tissue at sufficient electrical energy levels to stimulate the tissue.
Converts electrical power to a biologically stimulating electrical output.
Provides a device that is isotropic.
Removes residual charge accumulated on the stimulation electrodes.
Documented Applications
Implantable wireless receiver-stimulator for acoustic tissue stimulation by harvesting acoustic power from an acoustic field and delivering biologically stimulating electrical output to tissue via stimulation electrodes.
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