A study on an energy supply method for a transcutaneous energy transmission system

This study proposes a new type of a transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS) that can supply electrical power for an implanted device without an external battery. In this system, the power is supplied from the floor to the shoes of the patients through coils that are set beneath the floor and the bottom of the shoes. If the patients wear the special shoes, they will be able to move freely on the specially designed floor without an external battery. Direct current (DC)-DC power efficiency was measured in the experiments, and the results showed that it varies with relative positions between the shoe and the floor coils. The results suggested that three-layered floor coils would enable the system to meet the demand for providing the required power anywhere on the floor without intermission. DC-DC power efficiency could be kept over 60% under the practical condition. It can then be concluded that the proposed system has a potential to provide better quality of life for the patients using a TETS.