Improvement of the transcutaneous energy transmission system utilizing ferrite cored coils for artificial hearts

Newly designed transcutaneous energy transmission system for a ventricular assist device was developed. We obtained higher dc-dc efficiency of 93.4% and smaller size of devices. Also, the devices were designed in view of the biomedical compatibility, gradually sloped coils and the flexibility of the primary coil prevent pressure necroses of the skin. The rectifier circuit board was placed in the internal space of the ferrite core to reduce the number of the implanted devices. However, radiated outward ground patterns were adopted to achieve a balance between thermal radiation and reduction of eddy-current loss.