DEVICE FOR INDUCTIVE ENERGY TRANSFER INTO A HUMAN BODY, FOR EXAMPLE, AND USE OF SAID DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (Iü) for inductive energy transfer into a human body (l), having a transmitting unit (23), which has a transmitting coil (25), wherein the transmitting coil (25) has a coil winding (26). According to the invention, the carrier element (32) is a flexible structure which extends in a planar manner and c an be adapted to a body contour, and the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) is fixed to the carrier element (32).

Description

The invention relates to a device for inductive energy transmission into e.g. a human body with a transmitter unit comprising a transmitter coil, the transmitter coil (25) having a coil winding.

A device of the type mentioned above is known from DE 10 2016 106 683 A1. The device described there serves as a component of a VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) system for charging a battery located inside the body of a person. It comprises a transmitter coil with a coil winding and a battery connected to the coil winding interacting magnetic core and a carrier element in whose area the coil winding and the magnetic core are arranged. The carrier element is usually in the form of a rigid housing made of plastic. For good or optimum energy transmission it is important that the transmitter coil is connected to the carrier element. as closely as possible to the human body. Due to the rigid design of the carrier element or housing, the wearing comfort of the device described in DE 10 2016 106 683 A1 is limited. It is therefore difficult for a person to transmit electrical energy into the body over long periods of time with this device.

Furthermore, state of the art transmission devices for inductive energy transmission are known, which are designed as an air coil (without magnetic core) instead of a magnetic core for the purpose of field guidance and shielding. In the case of the latter version as an air-core coil but problems occur 30 due to the missing shielding.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a device for inductive energy transfer into a human body, which has an improved wearing comfort.

This task is solved by the device specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing a mechanically flexible solution for to form the transmitting coil and the carrier element, which thus adapts optimally to the body shape and thus enables a very high level of wearing comfort.

One idea of the invention is in particular that the carrier element is designed as a flexible element is formed. The coil winding is connected to this flexible element. A shielding element or a magnetic core can also be connected to the carrier element.

A shielding element in a device for inductive energy transmission enables the magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil to be shielded and/or guided.

It should be noted that the coil winding, the shielding element or the magnetic core can be flexible, at least in some areas. Ins-In particular, it should be noted that the flexible design of the support element and the shielding element or magnetic core enables a desired adaptation to the anatomy of the human body at the contact area with it.

The preferred design of the support element and the connection of the bobbin winding to the support element provides that the support element is made of a textile material, and that the coil winding is sewn to the textile fabric. Such a solution makes it possible in particular to form a flexible assembly of coil winding and carrier element, which is particularly compact in height. Furthermore, the carrier element has a particularly compact design due to the as a textile fabric has particularly good wear properties.

The preferred carrier element is a flat, expanded structure from the group of nonwovens, woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, braided fabrics, stitch-bonded fabrics, bodies containing or consisting of silicone rubber, bodies containing a Elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer or containing silicone rubber or consisting of an elastomer, in particular consisting of a silicone elastomer or consisting of silicone rubber

It is advantageous if the coil winding is wound in the carrier element. is taken. The transmitting coil can be sewn to the carrier element.

One idea of the invention is that adjacent sections of the winding conductor forming the coil windings are arranged alternately on their side facing the carrier element and on their side facing the carrier element. are wrapped around the side facing away from the support element by a thread passing through the support element. The spool winding of the sending spool can also be glued to the carrier element.

The magnetic core may contain a soft magnetic ferrite material. From It is an advantage if the magnetic core is 25 flexible at least in some areas.

If possible, the shielding element is arranged on a side of the coil windings of the transmitting coil facing away from the carrier element. It has the technical function of shielding a magnetic field of the transmitting coil.

The shielding element is also as flexible as possible, at least in some areas. It is advantageous if the shielding element is extended over a large area. In this way, a flat design of the device for inductive transfer of electrical energy can be achieved. The shielding element may have at least one layer with a ferrite foil.

The shielding element can be at least indirectly connected by an adhesive bond must be connected to the support element. For shielding the magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil it is advantageous if the shielding element covers the coil windings of the transmitting coil.

With the latter variant, it is preferred that the sewing of the spool-lenwicklung with the textile fabric by means of a thread or the like separate from the bobbin winding. This allows each individual wire of the bobbin winding to be connected individually to the carrier element without influencing the bobbin wire arranged next to it, thus achieving a particularly high degree of flexibility.

In order to form a flexible shielding element which adapts particularly well to the shape of the body, it is intended that the shielding element consists of at least one layer of ferrite foil. It is also conceivable to arrange or use several ferrite foils (on top of each other). den. As a special requirement, the material values of the ferrite foils, such as the initial permeability (approx. 2000 measured at 10 kHz and a magnetic field strength B of less than 0.25 mT at 25° C.) and the specific losses (approx. 55 mW per cm3 for 100 mT peak to peak at 100 kHz) should not deviate from a rigid magnetic core, as otherwise the required field guidance or the maximum specific heating are not fulfilled.

The shielding element can be connected particularly easily, at least indirectly, to the carrier element by means of an adhesive bond. In this case, the desired fleece thickness can be achieved in particular by a suitable choice of adhesive. x flexibility of the shielding element to the carrier element or coil winding is guaranteed.

With regard to the design of the magnetic core, it is provided for its flexible configuration in particular that the (disc-shaped) magnetic core consists of several, in each case rigid, at least substantially flat part elements, between which gaps are formed, and that the partial elements are arranged movably to each other. Via the gaps, the individual partial elements can thus be moved relative to each other in order to enable adaptation at the contact area with the human body.

Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the size of the (air) gaps between the partial elements of the magnetic core is a maximum of 5 mm.

This minimizes possible stray fields.

A further preferred design of the individual components of the magnetic core is that recesses are made in the components are designed to guide flexible fixing threads, whereby the fixing threads serve to fix the sub-elements and, if necessary, the coil winding on the carrier. The recesses can be formed in particular on the opposite side of the coil winding in the form of groove-like depressions.

Another preferred geometric design provides that the coil winding has wire windings at least substantially concentric to each other and parallel to the plane of the carrier element and the shielding element or the magnetic core.

The invention also comprises the use of a device, as described above, for transmitting energy into the human body, in particular as part of a VAD system.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention can be found in the following description of preferred design examples and in the drawing.

This shows in:

FIG. 1 schematic diagram showing the essential components of a device for inductive energy transfer into a human body using several shielding foils,

FIG. 2 a schematic diagram of the device according to FIG. 1 in the area of contact with the human body when using a partially flexible magnetic core,

FIG. 3 a perspective view of a coil winding fixed to the carrier element, a top view of a segmented magnetic core as used in the device

FIG. 4 according to FIG. 2, a schematic representation of the connection of a partial element

FIG. 5 of the magnetic core to a textile support element in a per perspective view, and a section through the connection area between the magnet core,

FIG. 6 coil winding and carrier element.

Identical elements or elements with identical functions are given the same reference numbers in the figures.

In FIG. 1 a VAD system 100 for inductive energy transfer into a human body 1 is shown in a very simplified way. The system 100comprises, outside body 1, a device 10 of the invention which cooperates with a device 20 arranged inside body 1. The device 20 serves in particular for the at least indirect

(Charging) of an accumulator within body 1 that is used to operate a pump that serves the heart function of a patient. For this purpose the device 20 comprises in particular a receiving coil 22 which is only shown schematically. This receiving coil 22 acts with a receiving coil which is integrated in the device 10is combined with a transmitting coil 25, via which an electrical voltage is induced in the receiving coil 22 by means of a time-varying magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil 25, not shown here, and thus electrical energy is transmitted from the transmitting coil 25 to the receiving coil 22.

The transmitter coil 25 connected to a non-displayed energy source has a coil winding 26 with an electrical winding conductor in the form of a Winding wires 30 up.

The wire windings of the winding wire 30 or the coil winding 26 are connected to a carrier element 32. The carrier element 32 is a flat, extended fle-xibles. It consists of one or more layers of textile. In principle, the expanded structure can also be a non-woven fabric, a woven fabric, knitted fabric, a braid, stitch-bonded fabric, a body with or made of silicone rubber or elastomer, in particular silicone elastomers.

The coil axis 28 passes through the carrier element 32 for coil winding 26. In the application, the carrier element 32 is arranged in contact with the skin 2 of body 1 and adapts to the shape of body 1 in the contact area due to its flexibility.

The connection between the coil winding 26 located on the side of the support element 32 facing away from body 1 and the support element 32 is made either by a fabric bond in the form of an adhesive bond or by sewing as explained in FIG. 2. It is important to note that the connection also guarantees a flexibility of the bobbin winding 26 to the carrier element 32.

On the side of the coil winding 26 facing away from the carrier element 32, a shielding element 34 in the form of two layers 36, 37 a ferrite foil is arranged. The shielding element 34 is also flexible, whereby the connection between the shielding element 34 and the coil winding 26for example by means of a (flexible) adhesive bond 38, e.g. by means of an adhesive bond with silicone.

In FIG. 2, instead of the shielding element 34, the device 10 has a disc-shaped mag-net core 40 with partial elements 42, which are arranged at a distance from each other. As an example, the at least substantially flat partial elements 42 are connected to the coil winding 26 by means of adhesive joints 44. It can also be seen that the wire windings 30 of the coil winding 26 are connected by a thread 45 or similar. element are sewn to the carrier element 32.

The magnetic core 40 or the shielding element 34 and the coil winding 26 arranged parallel to it are at least approximately circular in plan view, as shown in FIG. 3 using the example of coil winding 26. Due to its flexibility and the adaptable

However, if the shape of the body 1 in the contact area is adapted to the shape of body 1, deviations from the circular form 25 may inevitably occur.

FIG. 4 shows the magnet core 40 with its cake-segment-like part elements 42. There are 42, which are arranged radially around the longitudinal axis 28, gaps 46 are formed, which are a 30 maximum of 5 mm wide in the plane of the partial elements 42.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the case in which the sub-elements 42 of the magnet core 40 are connected to the carrier element 32 by means of fixing threads 48 with the interposition of the coil winding 26. For this purpose the partial elements 42 on the side facing away from the coil winding 26 are radially arranged around the Longitudinal axis 28, groove-like recesses 50 are provided around the longitudinal axis, in which the fixing threads 48 are guided.

The device 10 described above can be altered or modified in many ways without deviating from the inventive idea. soft.

In summary, the following preferred features of the invention should be noted in particular:

The invention relates to a device 10 for inductive energy transmission into a human body 1 with a transmitter unit 23 having a transmitting coil 25, the transmitting coil 25 having a coil winding 26. The carrier element 32 is a flat flexible structure which can be adapted to a body contour and is made of stretched material, and the coil winding 26 of the transmitting coil 25is fixed to the support element 32.

In particular, the invention concerns the aspects indicated in the following clauses:

1. device (10) for inductive energy transmission into a human body (1), having a transmitter unit (23) with a transmitter coil (25), the transmitter coil (25) having a coil winding (26) comprising wire windings (30) and a shielding element (34) or a magnetic core (40) interacting with the coil winding (26),

• • and with a carrier element (32) in whose region the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) are arranged,
  • characterized by this,
  • in that the carrier element (32) is designed as a flexible element, in that the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) are connected to the carrier element (32), and that the coil winding (26), the shielding element (34) or the 5 magnetic core (40) are flexible at least in some areas. 2nd device according to Clause 1, characterised in that the carrier element (32) is formed from a textile fabric and that the bobbin winding (26) is sewn to the textile fabric.
• 3. Device according to clause 2, characterized in that the ver-sewing of the bobbin winding (26) with the textile fabric is effected 15 by means of a thread (45) or the like separate from the bobbin winding (26).
• 4. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 3, characterized in that in that the shielding element (34) consists of at least one layer (36, 37) of a ferrite foil is 20 formed.
• 5. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 4, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is connected at least indirectly to the carrier element (32) by an adhesive joint (38).
• 6. Device according to one of the clauses 1 to 3, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) consists of several, in each case rigid, at least substantially flat partial elements (42), between which gaps (46) are formed, and that the partial elements (42) are movable are 30 arranged to each other.
• 7. Device according to clause 6, characterised in that the size of the gap (46) between two partial elements (42) is a maximum of 5 mm.
• 8. device according to clause 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing threads (48), wherein the fixing threads (48) serve to fix the partial elements (42) and, if necessary, the coil winding (26) to the carrier element (32).
• 9. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 8, characterised in that the wire windings (30) of the coil winding (26) are at least substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis (28) and parallel to the plane of the carrier element (32) and the shielding element (34) or of the magnetic core (40) are 15 arranged.
• 10. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 9, characterized in that the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) are at least substantially circular and are 20 arranged in mutual overlap with each other.
• 11. Device according to one of clauses 1 to 10, characterized in that the coil winding (26) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) are connected on the same side of the carrier element (34). the coil winding (26) being arranged between the support element (32) and the shielding element (34) or the magnetic core (40) is arranged.
• 12. Use of a device (10) which is designed according to one of the clauses 1 to 11 is designed for energy transfer into the human body, in particular as part of a VAD system (100).

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

• 1 Body
• 2 Skin
• 10 Device
• 20 Establishment
• 22 Receiving Coil
• 23 Transmitter unit
• 25 Transmitter coil
• 26 Coil winding
• 28 Coil or longitudinal axis
• 30 Winding conductor
• 32 Support element
• 34 Shielding element
• 36 Layer
• 37 Layer
• 38 Glued joint
• 40 Magnetic core
• 42 Sub-element
• 44 Glued joint
• 45 thread
• 46 Slit
• 48 Fixation thread
• 50 Recess
• 100 VAD system

Claims

1. Device (10) for inductive energy transmission into a human body (1), for example, having a transmitter unit (23) which has a transmitter coil (25), the transmitter coil (25) having a coil winding (26),characterised in thatthe carrier element (32) is a flatly expanded flexible structure adaptable to a body contour, and the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) is fixed to the carrier element (32).

2. device according to claim 2, characterized in that the flat extended flexible structure contains a structure from the group of nonwoven, woven fabric, knitted fabric, braid, stitch-bonded fabric, body containing or consisting of silicone rubber, body containing an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone elastomer, or contains an elastomer, in particular containing a silicone rubber, in which the flexible structure is expanded in the form of a sheet. or consisting of an elastomer, in particular consisting of a silicone elastomer, or consisting of silicone rubber.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized thereby shows that the coil winding (26) is accommodated in the carrier element (32).

4. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transmitting coil (25) is sewn to the carrier element (32).

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that adjacent sections of a coil winding which is to form the coil (26) are alternately looped around by a thread (45) guided through the carrier element (32) on their side facing the carrier element (32) and on their side remote from the carrier element (32).

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) is glued to the carrier element (32).

7. device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised by a magnetic core (40) fixed to the carrier element (32) and/or to a winding conductor forming the coil winding (26).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the Magnetic core (40) has a plurality of, in each case rigid, at least substantially flat sub-elements (42) between which gaps (46) are formed, the sub-elements (42) being movable relative to one another.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the The maximum size of the gap (46) between two sub-elements (42) is 20 5 mm.

10. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing threads (50). (48), the fixing threads (48) serving25 to fix the partial elements (42) to the carrier element (32).

11. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that recesses (50) are provided in the partial elements (42) for guiding fixing threads (50). (48), the fixing threads (48) serving to fix the dividing elements (42) to the coil windings (26) of the transmitting coil (25).

12. Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that recesses (50) for guiding fixing threads (48) are formed in the partial elements (42), the fixing threads (48) of the fixing of the elements (42) and the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) on the carrier element (32).

13. Device according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is a soft magnetic ferrite mate -rial contains.

14. Device according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is flexible at least in some areas.

15. Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the magnetic core (40) is a flexible structure which can be adapted to the contours of a body and is extended over a large area.

16. device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by a shielding element arranged on the side of the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25) facing away from the carrier element (32) (34) for shielding a magnetic field of the transmitting coil (25).

17. device according to claim 15, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is flexible at least in some areas.

18. A device according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is extended over a large area and has30 at least one layer comprising (36, 37) with a ferrite foil

19. Device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is a flexible structure which is extended over a surface and can be fitted to a body contour.

20. Device according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the shielding element (34) is formed by an adhesive bond (38) is at least indirectly connected to the carrier element (32).

21. A device according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that shows that the shielding element (34) covers the coil winding (26) of the transmitting coil (25).

22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the transmitting coil (25) is con-gruent to a coil axis (28). central coil windings (26) with an electrical winding lead (30), the coil axis (28) passing through the support element (32) for the coil winding (26).

23. Use of a device (10) which is designed according to one of the claims 1 to 22, for energy transmission into a human body, in particular as a component of a VAD system (100).