Francis D. Pagani, MD, Ph.D. and Roberto Merlin, Ph.D.
Patients with advanced heart failure have limited options due to a limited donor heart supply. The most promising alternative to transplantation has been implantable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD). However, one of the major limitations with the current generation of LVAD is the need for a percutaneous lead that traverses the skin to connect the internal pump with the external power source.
Francis Pagani MD, Roberto Merlin Ph.D. and their colleagues John Whitaker Ph.D., Anthony Grbic Ph.D., Jon Ameel, and Steve Young have teamed up to develop a method of wireless charging powerful enough to charge an implanted LVAD device, eliminating the need to leave wires running through a patient’s skin indefinitely.
While wireless charging technology is not brand new, LVADs present a particular challenge because of high power requirements, potential for heating which is not tolerated by the body, and electromagnetic interference. Conventional coupled loops required for electric energy transfer cannot meet these challenges because the body poses restraints on size of loops, the working distance and the amount of shielding possible. The Xondas team have developed a near field plate technology that allows the control of magnetic fields with greater precision, and are therefore able to reduce heating and electromagnetic interference.
In addition to significantly improving the quality of life for patients with LVAD devices, this technology is likely to significantly increase adoption of this therapy and benefit a larger number of patients with advanced heart failure. This year of Coulter funding is dedicated to working out the parameters necessary to transfer the Xondas technology form lab to a commercially viable system that can demonstrate the necessary performance criteria for use in people. LVADs are a particularly challenging use case for wireless transmission of energy, however once established the technology can readily be applied to the wireless charging of other implantable devices.
Link to technology at UM Tech Transfer: https://inventions.umich.edu/technologies/3679_method-and-apparatus-for-sub-wavelength-near-field-focusing-of-electromagnetic-waves or email Thomas Marten ([email protected]) for more information.