tCOIL

Wirelessly Powering Implantable Devices: Transcutaneous Energy Transfer

 

Member profile details

Membership level
2011-2012 Team
Project Thumbnail Image
Team Name
tCOIL
Project Title
Wirelessly Powering Implantable Devices: Transcutaneous Energy Transfer
Design Challenge
Most modern ventricular assist devices require the use of percutaneous wires to power the internal load. However; these wires can often lead to infections at the region where they pass through the percutaneous tissue. Studies have found that 10% of LVAD patients with percutaneous wires die from sepsis caused directly from these wires. Our device will be able to wirelessly power these internal loads, removing this source of infection, as well as provide additional functionality to the original device by adding a modern communication system and user interface.
Design Summary
Our team has designed a complete transcutaneous energy system that will be able to power Procyrion's catheter deployed ventricular assist device, as well as interface the device with the user and physician.

We have designed a system that employs two coils in which the external coil, contained in a belt, will transfer power from the external battery pack to an internal coil, which will then charge an internal battery. Procyrion's pump will then be run off the internal battery. We have utilized a evaluation kit that provides the basis for our coil design and all the other essential electronic devices required for our device, like batteries, voltage regulators, and microcontrollers.

Our communication system and user interface are able to communicate and retrieve data from both the external and internal coils and batteries, as well as the pump. We are also able to control the pump externally; however, this is not a control available to the patient. All the data can be wirelessly downloaded to a PC.

Last Updated: 4/15/2012
Sponsors
Procyrion
Department(s)
  • Bioengineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
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Faculty Advisor 1 - Name
Maria Oden
Faculty Advisor 2 - Name
Gary Woods
 

Team Members

Award(s) and Recognition
2012 Engineering Design Showcase: Best Interdisciplinary Design Project, Third Annual Rice Alliance Undergraduate Elevator Pitch Competition: Medical and Rehabilitation Technologies
Winner

Contact us

Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen
Rice University

6100 Main Street MS 390 | Houston, Texas | 77005

Phone: 713.348.OEDK

Email: oedk@rice.edu

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