Transcutaneous system recharges batteries of implantable medical devices

A non-invasive system for recharging electronic implant batteries, using energy that passes through the body transcutaneously, has been developed by António Abreu, a PhD student in Sustainable Energy Systems under the MIT Portugal Program who is carrying out research work at the National Energy and Geology Laboratory, I.P. (LNEG). The prototype has already been patented in the USA and Europe.

The use of this system will reduce the need for surgery to replace batteries in devices such as pacemakers. In the future, the system could be applied to other types of internal prostheses or devices such as defibrillators, artificial electric hearts or insulin pumps.