Rechargeable smartphones are great. Rechargeable hearts? Now that’s impressive.
In situ battery charging for implantable medical devices, such as pacemakers, orthopedic stimulators, and neuroprosthetics, is rapidly evolving. And COMSOL engineers are on the front lines, using simulation to design devices that safely recharge inside the body without invasive procedures.
The Challenge: Small Devices, Big Constraints
Implantable medical devices must be compact, durable, and biocompatible. However, adding a rechargeable component, especially one that operates wirelessly, introduces heat, current density, electromagnetic interference, and concerns regarding tissue safety.
With COMSOL’s AC/DC and RF Modules, engineers can model the behavior of wireless charging coils in vivo. This means evaluating:
- Inductive coupling efficiency
- Thermal rise in surrounding tissue
- Electromagnetic field distribution
- Effects of metal implants (e.g., orthopedic hardware) on charging pathways
Orthopedic Implants and Wireless Interference
Orthopedic implants can throw a wrench in the works, literally. They interfere with RF fields and eddy currents, which can cause hot spots or reduce charging efficiency. By using COMSOL to model the interactions between metals, tissue, and wireless systems, engineers can optimize coil placement, shielding, and duty cycles to achieve the desired results.
FDA Expectations and Simulation-Backed Claims
Safety is non-negotiable when it comes to in-body charging. The FDA requires extensive evidence of thermal safety, mechanical reliability, and interaction with surrounding structures in the field.
Simulation is a cost-effective way to support those claims, especially for:
- ISO 14708-1 (active implantable medical devices)
- ISO 10993-5 (biocompatibility and cytotoxicity)
- IEC 60601 standards for EMF exposure
With multiphysics modeling, you’re not just designing faster, you’re de-risking your innovation pipeline. Contact Us.