Implantable Wireless Charger A Medical Breakthrough 

Implantable Wireless Charger

Chinese scientists have developed an Implantable Wireless Charger that can safely stay inside the human body, offering a revolutionary approach to powering implantable medical devices.

Implantable Wireless Charger A Medical Breakthrough 

Pioneering Biodegradable Wireless Chargers: Chinese Scientists Lead Medical Breakthrough

Introduction: Wireless chargers have become a commonplace technology, mainly associated with charging phones without the hassle of cables. 

However, Chinese scientists have pushed the boundaries of innovation by introducing a revolutionary concept – a biodegradable wireless charger designed to reside safely within human tissue. 

This groundbreaking achievement opens new possibilities for medical applications, providing a glimpse into a future where localized and on-demand therapies are powered wirelessly.

This innovation holds the potential to power bioelectronic implants, including fully biodegradable drug delivery systems. Published in the journal Science Advances, 

the research conducted by scientists from Lanzhou University addresses a crucial gap in the development of implantable bioelectronic systems – the lack of efficient and sustainable power modules.

The Challenge: Powering Implantable Bioelectronic Systems:

While implantable bioelectronic systems, such as monitoring sensors and drug delivery implants, have proven to be minimally invasive and reliable for precise patient monitoring and treatment, the development of compatible power modules has lagged behind. 

Existing biodegradable power supply units often have limited use and insufficient power generation for biomedical applications. Additionally, power supply units connected to transdermal chargers may cause inflammation, and those powered by non-rechargeable batteries may require surgical replacement, leading to potential complications.

The Wireless Power System Solution:

In response to these challenges, the researchers proposed a wireless implantable power system characterized by both high energy storage performance and favourable tissue interfacing properties. 

The device's soft and flexible design allows it to adapt to the shape of tissues and organs, offering a seamless solution to power implantable bioelectronic devices.

Wireless Power Supply Device Components:

The wireless power supply device comprises a magnesium coil responsible for charging the device. An external transmitting coil placed on the skin above the implant facilitates the charging process. 

The received power passes through a circuit before entering an energy storage module, consisting of zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors. Unlike batteries which store energy as chemical energy, supercapacitors store power as electrical energy, providing high power density and consistent energy discharge.

Prototype Features and Biocompatibility:

The prototype power supply system is housed in a flexible, biodegradable chip-like implant. It integrates energy harvesting and storage into a single device, ensuring a constant and reliable power output. 

Both zinc and magnesium, essential to the human body, are used in amounts below daily intake levels, ensuring biocompatibility. The entire device is encapsulated in polymer and wax, enabling flexibility that conforms to the tissue structure.

Effectiveness and Biodegradability:

Tests conducted on rats demonstrated the device's effectiveness for up to 10 days, after which it fully dissolved within two months. 

The researchers suggest that the duration of functionality can be adjusted by modifying the thickness and chemistry of the encapsulation layer. The biodegradable power system opens doors for drug delivery systems integrated into various tissues and organs, facilitating localized, on-demand drug delivery and therapy.

Demonstrating Functionality:

To showcase the functionality of the power supply, the researchers connected stacked supercapacitors with a receiving coil and a biodegradable drug delivery device, implanting it into rats. 

Despite the separate encapsulation, the prototype effectively delivered an anti-inflammatory medicine in response to yeast-induced fever. The researchers acknowledged the challenge of turning the device on and off but suggested controlled triggering of charging for optimal performance.

 

Conclusion: A Leap Forward in Bioelectronic Devices: This prototype marks a significant leap forward in the development of transient implantable bioelectronic devices. The potential of efficient and reliable energy solutions opens doors to a myriad of applications in the healthcare landscape. 

As Chinese scientists continue to lead innovations in bioelectronics, the prospect of wirelessly powering medical devices within the human body becomes not just a possibility but a glimpse into a future where technology seamlessly integrates with healthcare for improved patient outcomes.

With its potential to provide effective and reliable energy solutions, this innovation opens avenues for a wide range of applications, including sustained power for bioelectronic implants and controlled drug delivery systems. As Chinese scientists pioneer these transformative technologies, the future of bioelectronics appears increasingly promising.