Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026
07:13
Implantation and Control of Wireless, Battery-free Systems for Peripheral Nerve Interfacing
Published on: October 20, 2021
4.0K
A Comprehensive Comparative Study on Inductive and Ultrasonic Wireless Power Transmission to Biomedical Implants
Ahmed Ibrahim1, Miao Meng1, Mehdi Kiani1
1Electrical Engineering Department at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
IEEE Sensors Journal
|October 23, 2018
Summary
For small biomedical implants deep within tissue, ultrasound offers superior wireless power transmission efficiency compared to inductive coupling. However, inductive methods are better for larger implants at shorter distances.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Acoustics
Background:
- Wireless power transmission (WPT) is crucial for powering biomedical implants.
- Inductive coupling and ultrasound are two primary WPT methods.
- Optimizing WPT for different implant sizes and depths is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively compare inductive coupling and ultrasound for WPT to biomedical implants.
- To determine the optimal WPT method based on receiver size, powering distance, and implantation depth.
- To present design procedures for maximizing power transmission efficiency (PTE) for both methods.
Main Methods:
- Optimization of inductive and ultrasonic links for various receiver dimensions and powering distances.
- Comparative analysis of key parameters: PTE and power delivered to the load (PDL).
- Development of design procedures considering optimal geometry, operating frequency, and misalignment.
Main Results:
- Ultrasonic WPT excels for small receivers (1.1 mm³) at greater depths (≥10 mm), showing higher PTE and PDL.
- Inductive WPT is superior for larger receivers (20 mm³) at shorter distances (<30 mm).
- Ultrasonic links are more sensitive to misalignment, necessitating worst-case design considerations.
Conclusions:
- The choice between inductive coupling and ultrasound for WPT depends critically on implant size and implantation depth.
- Ultrasonic WPT is advantageous for miniaturized, deeply implanted devices.
- Inductive WPT remains a viable option for larger implants and shallower placements.
Related Concept Videos
01:08Power
13.0K
The concept of work involves force and displacement; meanwhile, the work-energy theorem relates the net work done on a body to the difference in its kinetic energy, calculated between two points on its trajectory. While none of these quantities or relations involves time explicitly, we know that the time available to accomplish work is often just as important as the amount of work itself. For example, sprinters in a race may have achieved the same velocity at the finish, therefore,...
13.0K
02:36Nuclear Power
9.5K
Controlled nuclear fission reactions are used to generate electricity. Any nuclear reactor that produces power via the fission of uranium or plutonium by bombardment with neutrons has six components: nuclear fuel consisting of fissionable material, a nuclear moderator, a neutron source, control rods, reactor coolant, and a shield and containment system.
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
Nuclear Fuels
Nuclear fuel consists of a fissile isotope, such as uranium-235, which must be present in sufficient quantity to provide a...
9.5K
01:22Instantaneous Power
916
Instantaneous power is important in electrical circuits, mainly when dealing with sinusoidal input. Instantaneous power, denoted as p(t), results from the multiplication of the instantaneous voltage (v(t)) across an element and the instantaneous current (i(t)) flowing through it. This relationship adheres to the passive sign convention and represents a fundamental principle in electrical engineering.
916
01:14Complex Power
914
Power engineers have introduced the concept of complex power to determine the cumulative effect of parallel loads. This idea plays a crucial role in power analysis because it encompasses all the details related to the power consumed by a specific load.
Complex power is defined as the multiplication of the voltage and the complex conjugate of the current. The magnitude of this power, known as apparent power, is measured in volt-amperes (VA). Notably, the angle of the complex power equates to the...
Complex power is defined as the multiplication of the voltage and the complex conjugate of the current. The magnitude of this power, known as apparent power, is measured in volt-amperes (VA). Notably, the angle of the complex power equates to the...
914
01:07Electrical Power
3.8K
Electric power is the product of current and voltage, represented in units of joules per second, or watts. For example, cars often have one or more auxiliary power outlets with which you can charge a cell phone or other electronic devices. These outlets may be rated at 20 amps and 12 volts, so that the circuit can deliver a maximum power of 240 watts. Consider a 25 Watt bulb and a 60 Watt bulb. The conversion of electrical energy produces heat and light, while the kinetic energy lost by the...
3.8K
01:22Sums of Power
69
In definite integration, Riemann sums approximate the area under a curve by dividing it into subintervals and summing the areas of rectangles. When these approximations follow predictable numerical patterns, such as arithmetic or polynomial sequences, sum formulas offer a more efficient and accurate way to compute the result. In particular, the sum of consecutive integers, squares, and cubes plays an essential role in simplifying these calculations, especially when dealing with uniform...
69