Application of a MEMS-based energy harvester for artificial heart wireless energy transmission

The basic principle of wireless transantaneous energy transmission (TET) system for artificial heart is electromagnetic induction. A new type of TET system in which the electrical energy to the primary coil circuit was supplied by a MEMS-based energy harvester instead of an external battery was proposed. A MEMS-based spiral piezoelectric energy harvester (SPEH) continuously converted the mechanical energy from patient's walking or some other movement to electrical energy and then power for the primary coil circuit. Then a detachable transformer circuit was designed to provide energy for the implant. The characteristics of the system were calculated and measured in this study. Simulation results suggest that the proposed system is worth considering. The method can make the patient move freely without any energy device outdoors other than only stay in the room and avoid electromagnetic radiation. The proposed system would go a long way toward enhancing the patient's quality of life compared with the currently used conventional TET system.