Wireless Powering of Next-Generation Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) Without Percutaneous Cable Driveline

Abstract

This article deals with the design of a wireless powering system for a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). The modern LVAD is mainly a miniaturized blood pump attached to the heart and is driven by an electric motor powered by a cable driveline that exits the patient's body through the skin to be connected with an external battery. The driveline is a portal to the exterior environment and this can cause frequent and severe infections. The goal of this article is the elimination of the cable link between the interior and the exterior of the human body. To this aim, an innovative powering design of the LVAD is proposed adopting the wireless power transfer (WPT) technology based on magnetic resonant coupling. The main challenges in the design of a WPT system for LVAD application are the considerable implantation depth (5-10 cm) and the relatively high power (≈5 W) required by the device to operate continuously. Two different design solutions are proposed: 1) a subcutaneous receiving coil connected to the LVAD by a short driveline completely inside the human body and 2) an LVAD with a receiving circuit and coil, both integrated on it.