A high power, fully implanted and battery free platform for chronic functional electrical stimulation enabled by passive resonator antenna design.

Abstract Electrical stimulation of the neuromuscular system holds promise for both scientific and therapeutic biomedical applications. Supplying and maintaining the power necessary to drive stimulation chronically is a fundamental challenge in these applications, especially when high voltages or currents are required. Wireless systems, in which energy is supplied through near field power transfer, could eliminate complications caused by battery packs or external connections, but currently do not provide the harvested power and the voltages for applications such as muscle stimulation. Here, we introduce a passive resonator optimized power transfer design that overcomes these limitations, enabling voltage compliances of ± 20 V and power over 300 mW at device volumes of 0.2 cm2, thereby improving power transfer 500% over previous systems. This improved performance enables multichannel, biphasic, current-controlled operation at clinically relevant voltage and current ranges with digital control and telemetry. Implanted devices remain operational over 6 weeks in both intact and spinal cord injured rats and are capable of producing fine control of spinal and muscle stimulation.