Researchers at Lanzhou University in China have developed a biologically degradable, wireless charger that can safely be implanted into the human body in the future. The new implant was detailed in a paper published in Science Advances. The subdermal wireless charger consists of a magnesium coil that passes through a small circuit to enter the energy storage module.
The goal of this new subdermal wireless charger is to provide high energy storage performance while also offering preferred tissue interface properties. This design makes the charger flexible and soft, allowing it to easily adapt to the shape of tissues and organs during any procedure.
This type of system is particularly significant because biologically non-degradable options typically require additional surgeries to replace or recharge their batteries. If this system can be made powerful enough to power medical devices while remaining biologically degradable, the need for extra surgeries to remove the device could be eliminated. Research into the development and implantation of the device is still ongoing.