Wireless power systems for use with implants are referred to as transcutaneous energy transmission systems (TETS) and consist of an implanted secondary coil and an external primary coil along with supporting electronics. A TETS system could be used to power ventricular assist systems and eliminate driveline infections. There are both direct and indirect safety concerns that must be addressed when continuously transferring power through the skin. Direct safety concerns include thermal tissue damage caused by exposure to the electromagnetic fields, coil heating effects, and potential unwanted nerve stimulation. Indirect concerns are those caused by potential interference of the TETS system with other implanted devices. Wireless power systems are trending towards higher frequency operation. Understanding the limits for safe operation of a TETS system across a range of frequencies is important. A low frequency and a high frequency implementation are simulated to demonstrate the impact of this trend for a VAD application.
Transcutaneous energy transmission systems (TETS) wirelessly transmit power through the skin. TETS is particularly desirable for ventricular assist devices (VAD), which currently require cables through the skin to power the implanted pump. Optimizing the inductive link of the TET system is a multi-parameter problem. Most current techniques to optimize the design simplify the problem by combining parameters leading to sub-optimal solutions. In this paper we present an optimization method using a genetic algorithm to handle a larger set of parameters, which leads to a more optimal design. Using this approach, we were able to increase efficiency while also reducing power variability in a prototype, compared to a traditional manual design method.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.