3-COIL WIRELESS POWER TRANSFER SYSTEM FOR EYE IMPLANTS

摘要

A three-coil electromagnetic induction power transfer system is disclosed for epiretinal prostheses and other implants. A third, buffer coil is disposed between an external transmitting coil and a receiver coil buried within the body to improve efficiency and robustness to misalignments. One or more of the coils can be manufactured using micromechanical machining techniques to lay out conductors in a ribbon of biocompatible insulator, folding lengths of the insulated conductor traces longitudinally over one another, and then spiraling them into a ring. The traces change axial position in the ring by shifting across fold lines. One or more U-shaped sections on the traces can be folded so that adjacent traces can project opposite one another, lengthening the resulting ribbon that can be wound into a coil.

主权项

1. A method of efficiently receiving power inside an eye for an intraocular electronic device without an sclera-piercing cable, the method comprising:
receiving, into a buffer coil affixed external to a sclera of an eye, a varying magnetic field by way of a first electromagnetic induction, the varying magnetic field causing current in the buffer coil; inducing current, within a receiver coil within the eye, by way of a second electromagnetic induction from the current in the buffer coil to the receiver coil; and powering an intraocular electronic device using the induced current from the receiver coil.