Analysis of Specific Absorption Rate and Current Density in Biological Tissues Surrounding Energy Transmission Transformer for an Artificial Heart: Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging-based Human Body Model

Abstract

The transcutaneous energy transmission system used for artificial hearts is a transmission system that uses electromagnetic induction. Use of the TETS improves quality of life and reduces the risk of infection caused by percutaneous connections. This article reports the changes in the electromagnetic effects of TETS that influence a human body when the locations of the air-core coils of the transcutaneous transformer are changed. The specific absorption rate and current density in a model consisting of a human trunk that included 24 different organs are analyzed using an electromagnetic simulator. The air-core coils are located on the pectoralis major muscle near the collarbone in model 1, whereas they are located on the axillary region of the serratus anterior muscle, which overlies the rib in model 2. The maximum current densities in models 1 and 2 are 5.2 A/m(2) and 6.1 A/m(2), respectively. The current density observed in model 2 slightly exceeds the limiting value prescribed by International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). When the volumes of biological tissues whose current densities exceed the limiting value of current density for general public exposure are compared, the volume in model 2 (156.1 cm(3)) is found to be larger than that in model 1 (93.7 cm(3)). Hence, it is speculated that the presence of the ribs caused an increase in the current density. Therefore, it is concluded that model 1 satisfies the ICNIRP standards.