Abstract
Abstract We have been developing a transcutaneous energy transmission system(TETS)for a completely implantable device. As for the conventional TETS, the AC current through the internal coil of transcutaneous transformer has needed to be rectified by the internal circuit in order to drive the implanted actuator. An important problem is how to reduce the volume and the heat dissipation in the internal circuit. This paper proposes a new TETS that can supply AC electrical current directly to the implanted actuator without an internal circuit. First, the transcutaneous transformer is redesigned in order to expand the operating frequency range from tens of hertz to hundreds of kilohertz. Second, in vitro experiments with an improved TETS are conducted with an induction motor and an ultrasonic motor for the implantable actuator. As a result, a maximum energy transmission efficiency of 92% is obtained. And, the rotation-speed can be controlled by the input frequency. Moreover, the new type of TETS reduces the volume of the internal device by 65%. It is proved that the newly developed system is very simple and has the potential to provide better quality of life for patients compared with the conventional TETS.
