The concept is a variation of inductive power, which, for instance, allows electric toothbrushes to be charged without actually plugging into power sources. A transmitting coil sends out electromagnetic waves that are absorbed by a receiving coil to charge a battery.
Developing wireless power for medical devices, however, is more challenging than powering an electric toothbrush. Unlike the toothbrush, the receiver cannot actually touch the transmitter and it is not immovable. But wireless charging is needed because the power cord that protrudes through the patient’s belly for current devices is cumbersome and prone to infection.
Read the University of Washington release on implantable devices.
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