Wireless energy transmission using ultrasound for implantable devices

Implantable devices used to replace or assist the operation of certain organs in the human body have been widely used. The traditional power supply method for implantable devices, such as disposable batteries or energy transmission by a puncture through the skin tissue, could carry the risk of the skin infection. Once running out of power, replacement of a new one requires re-operation. To overcome these problems above, a new energy supply method using ultrasound for the implantable devices operating in the body was proposed. In this paper, we presented our recent modeling results on power transmission through an elastic wall by piezoelectric transducers and ultrasound. This included the case of finite piezoelectric transducers on plates, power transmission through circular cylindrical shells. Then, a wireless and non-invasive energy supply method using ultrasound for the implantable devices operating in the body was proposed, in which a piezoelectric transducer was set on a recharging batteries that power implantable devices to receive the ultrasonic energy. The results demonstrated the operating principles of using ultrasound for implantable devices.