Batteries Are Charging Forward to Support Medtech Miniaturization, Connectivity

Alternative energy sources, delivery, and storage solutions are needed to help bring about further advances in medical device miniaturization and connectivity. Two trends in particular are driving change in medtech—demand for smaller implantables as well as for connectivity, said Gary Johnson, director of medical battery solutions, Ilika. These trends are driving the need for smaller, more powerful battery solutions, he told MD+DI. “Traditional batteries are too large for next-generation implantables that will target specific nerves, for stimulation.” Denis Pasero, product commercialization manager for Ilika, agrees, adding that even next generations of existing devices are following this trend toward miniaturization and connectivity. “If patients can self-help and self-monitor, they might not need to go to the doctor to understand the data,” he said. For instance, “there’s a shift toward making life simpler for diabetes patients.” Other examples of smaller, potentially connected devices would be subcutaneous cardiac rhythm monitors, leadless pacemakers, and sensors that could connect with a wireless body area network. Johnson will be discussing these trends and explore the roles that could be played by new power solutions in the upcoming BIOMEDevice Boston session, “Solutions for Powering Medical Sensors Autonomously,” on Wednesday, April 18. He’ll review alternatives for powering these devices wirelessly, such as through induction or through early-sta...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: BIOMEDevice Boston Digital Health Source Type: news