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A high-performance transcutaneous battery charger for medical implants
N Artan1, Hitesh Vanjani, Gurudath Vashist
1Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Polytechnic Institute of New York University, 5 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA.
Summary
This study demonstrates a new wireless charging method for implantable devices. The current-pumped battery charger (CPBC) efficiently recharges batteries transcutaneously, reducing the need for frequent surgeries.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Implantable Devices
Background:
- Increasing functionality of implantable devices necessitates higher power demands.
- Non-rechargeable batteries lead to frequent surgeries for replacement, causing patient discomfort.
- Traditional charging methods suffer from low efficiency, limiting device operation and increasing recharging frequency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the suitability of the current-pumped battery charger (CPBC) for implantable device applications.
- To develop a proof-of-concept transcutaneous battery charger using CPBC technology.
- To assess charging efficiency, time, and temperature increase during transcutaneous charging.
Main Methods:
- Prototyped a transcutaneous battery charger based on the current-pumped battery charger (CPBC) using off-the-shelf components.
- Evaluated charging performance with a 100 mAh battery.
- Tested charging efficiency and temperature increase under coil misalignment conditions (up to 1.3 cm).
Main Results:
- The CPBC successfully charged a 100 mAh battery transcutaneously in 137 minutes.
- Achieved a high battery charging efficiency of 85%.
- Observed a minimal increase in tissue temperature (at most 2.1°C) even with 1.3 cm coil misalignment.
Conclusions:
- The current-pumped battery charger (CPBC) is a suitable and efficient technology for transcutaneous charging of implantable devices.
- This method minimizes patient discomfort by enabling infrequent recharging and maintaining safe operating temperatures.
- The developed prototype demonstrates the feasibility of CPBC for next-generation implantable power solutions.
