A Systematic Method for Optimum Biomedical Wireless Power Transfer using Inductive Links in Area-Constrained Implants

TL;DR

This paper develops a systematic method for optimizing inductive links in biomedical wireless power transfer, demonstrating high efficiency coils and integrated energy harvesting in tissue environments within strict size constraints.

Contribution

It introduces a novel co-design approach for coils and matching networks, validated by prototypes and a test chip, advancing efficient power transfer in area-limited bio-implants.

Findings

Type-1 coil achieved ~4% PTE with >20 dB return loss

Type-2 coil achieved ~2% PTE with >15 dB return loss

Integrated energy harvester produced stable 1V DC in tissue

Abstract

In the context of implantable bioelectronics, this work provides new insights into maximizing biomedical wireless power transfer (BWPT) via the systematic development of inductive links. This approach addresses the specific challenges of power transfer efficiency (PTE) optimization within the area constraints of bio-implants embedded in tissue. Key contributions include the derivation of an optimal self-inductance with S-parameter-based analyses leading to the co-design of planar spiral coils and L-section impedance matching networks. To validate the proposed design methodology, two coil prototypes -- one symmetric (type-1) and one asymmetric (type-2) -- were fabricated and tested for PTE in pork tissue. Targeting a 20 MHz design frequency, the type-1 coil demonstrated a state-of-the-art PTE of $\sim$ 4\% (channel length = 15 mm) with a return loss (RL) $>$ 20 dB on both the input and output sides, within an area constraint of $<$ 18 $ \times $ 18 mm$^{2}$. In contrast, the type-2 coil achieved a PTE of $\sim$ 2\% with an RL $>$ 15 dB, for a smaller receiving coil area of $<$ 5x5 mm$^{2}$ for the same tissue environment. To complement the coils, we demonstrate a 65 nm test chip with an integrated energy harvester, which includes \asif{a} 30-stage rectifier and low-dropout regulator (LDO), producing a stable $\sim$ 1V DC output within tissue medium, matching theoretical predictions and simulations. Furthermore, we provide a robust and comprehensive guideline for advancing efficient inductive links for various BWPT applications, with shared resources in GitHub available for utilization by the broader community.