Near-field wireless power transfer to stent-based biomedical implants

Abstract

Safe wireless power transfer is an essential requirement for biomedical implants. Emerging technologies are becoming smaller, less invasive, and consume less power. Moreover, stent-based devices are being recognized as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgery. Hence, the idea of using the body of the stent as the power receiving element is becoming increasingly attractive. The objective of this paper is to analyze two near-field wireless power transfer methods to stent-based devices, viz., inductive and capacitive coupling. The methods used are lumped element modeling, ac circuit theory, finite-element analysis, experiments with excised bovine muscle tissue, and a live ovine v..