Design of a Core-type Transcutaneous Energy Transmission Systems for an Artificial Heart

Recently, the artificial heart (AH) has been recognized as an alternate method for a heart transplant. Though there are many problems and defects with the AH, it possesses long-term durability, miniaturization and a weight savings interfaced with flow rate performance, and device efficiency. Considering rehabilitation into the society and advancement of QOL (quality of life), the construction of a power source that supplies electric power to the device is important, but many problems need to be solved. Especially, the electric feeder line restricts behavior of the transplant recipient; and disturbs rehabilitation into society. As a solution to these problems, the transcutaneous energy transmission system (TETS) is attracting attention and is being studied. This study proposes a core-type TETS. It achieves high magnetic coupling compared with the air-core-type TETS, as determined in a clinical study. Because the core-type TETS has high magnetic coupling, it is possible to reduce the input current and to miniaturize the transformer size. This paper presents the design and the characteristic of a core-type TETS.