Active Implantable Medical Devices: Possibilities, Challenges and Opportunities

Active implantable medical devices (IMDs) that help restore normal biological and biomechanical functions are gaining increasing traction in the healthcare markets. IMDs can improve the quality of life of patients and, in some cases, play an important role in keeping them alive. The new generations of IMDs are increasingly incorporating more computing and communication capabilities.

However, since the introduction of the first of these devices, engineers and researchers have been struggling to ensure a long-term and reliable power source for them. The present whitepaper discusses methodologies to transfer and harvest energy in active IMDs, besides exploring the usage and relevance of new power sources and energy harvesting paradigms.

As active IMDs continue to reach new levels of functionality, and could soon become as ubiquitous as over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, explore the exciting possibilities that the technology has to offer.