Wireless power transmission for medical applications

Abstract

We studied the wireless power transmission capabilities of microwave through human skin-tissue. Microwave transmission through simulated human skins was tested with rectenna array as a power receiver located under the simulated human skin tissue. Most of transplanted medical devices and sensors require power to operate autonomously but currently by imbedded battery. Wireless power transmission alleviates the needs of imbedded power source and hard-wire power network. We used human skin-like materials, such as various polyurethanes and pork skin, under X-band microwave exposure. Transmission rate through various polyurethanes under the threshold limit value (TLV) and dielectric constant was measured in this experiment. It is also critical to measure specific absorption rates (SAR) of polyurethanes and transmission rates through polyurethanes as well as pork skin. This paper presents power transmission rates under varying thickness of polyurethanes, and effectiveness and efficiency of rectennas under the TLV of microwave power. In addition, we will discuss milimeter wave thermograph and hazards the absorption characteristics of human skin under 8-13 GHz using the results of polyurethanes and pork skin.