Powering Smart Orthopedic Implants Through Near-Field Resonant Inductive Coupling

Our research aims to enhance smart orthopedic knee implants used in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). With the projected quadrupling of TKA demand by 2030 due to factors like aging populations, rising obesity rates, and broader indications for younger patients, our focus is on instrumented medical implants to measure knee parameters. In this paper, we report the optimization of a wireless power transmission system for powering smart knee implants, employing an established HF Near-field Resonant Inductive Coupling (NRIC) technique at13.56 \,MHzinside the stem of a tibial knee implant. We propose a pragmatic optimization approach in this study, guided by the integration constraints of a knee implant and validated by orthopedic surgeons through cadaveric specimen testing. Finite Element simulations guided the selection of a frontal 3-turn solenoid (called “paperclip” coil) at the Rx side, located at the tip of the stem, which demonstrated balanced performance metrics and reasonable volume occupancy (1.6 cm3). Power transfer measurements were conducted through conductive solutions mimicking skin, muscle, and bones. At13.56 \,MHz, a power transfer efficiencyηof 30% and 7.5% (300 \,mWand75 \,mWat1 \,Winput power) was achieved at Tx-Rx distances of25 \,mmand40 \,mmrespectively. The proposed solution was implanted in a cadaveric specimen :250 \,mWwas obtained at an estimated30 \,mmdistance for an input power of1 \,Wat the Tx side. For the same distance, we also performed a successful DC power provision up to64 \,mWat3 \,VDC and data transfer functions at26\, kbit\,s⁻¹in the cadaver. The proposed system, with its integration strategy, holds promise in powering advanced sensor functions, contributing to the identification and monitoring of postoperative complications and potentially reducing the need for long-term revisions.