15th International Power Electronics and Motion Control Conference, EPE-PEMC 2012 ECCE Europe, Novi Sad, Serbia
Power electronics in biomedical applications
– an overview
B. Grzesik1, M. Stepien2
Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland, 1boguslaw.grzesik@polsl.pl, 2mariusz.stepien@polsl.pl
Abstract — The paper is focussed on power electronics in
biomedical applications. The introductory part delivers
definitions of power electronics. Then there are the technical
demands concerning power electronics in biomedical
applications. Finally the biomedical application together
with examples are discussed. Closing part of the paper
embraces biomedical applications seen from the point of
view of power electronics.
Keywords — artificial heart, biomedical engineering,
transcutaneous energy transfer.
I. INTRODUCTION
Power electronics [1], is a part of technology that is
devoted to control of energy flow between sources and
loads, which generally have different parameters, and the
control is realized by switching electronic devices. In
many cases loads are associated with its specific
characteristics and parameters. In many cases, the load
parameters arise from specific processes that require a
power supply. Transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) for
implantable artificial heart could be a good example. The
inverter which supply external coil sees R-L circuit which
changes its parameters due to variation of position of
external coil in relation to internal one. It means that
operation of the inverter should be made insensitive to
variations of external coil position. The inverter should
adjusted to variation of external coil position.
The efficiency of power electronic converters is very
high. This results from low power losses what is
important for long time of usage when the medical
equipment is supplied from battery or the equipment is
implanted in the body of patient (as it takes place in case
of artificial heart). The following features are expected
from medical equipment and from power electronics
converters: i) the highest possible efficiency, ii) the
highest reliability (that means it should perform assumed
functions under given conditions for specified period of
time), iii) their casing of the converter itself, controls,
transformers, batteries and external insulation of the
cables that connect the pieces of biomedical application,
iv) they has to be of light weight and usually small
volume, v) the biomedical applications has to ensure
compliance with regulations concerning EMI/EMC, vi)
the highest possible immunity to electric and magnetic
field in the specified frequency range and vii) the
temperature of apparatus, especially that which is in
contact with human tissue, should be kept within
acceptable limits, viii) the highest possible
biocompatibility.
Designing biomedical apparatus the purposes of use
should be kept in mind. In short, one can be aware what
is the category of anatomy and physiology in which it
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will function. It is possible to list some categories of
anatomy and physiology: some information of cell
structure, heart and circulatory system, central nervous
system, muscle operation, respiratory system, body
temperature together with heat exchange and
reproduction system.
An overview of the power electronics in biomedical
applications focuses on selected devices and systems.
II. BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
There are many power electronics system that are used
in biomedical engineering. One can be seen them from
the point of view of power electronics, namely they are
DC, AC supplying sources, generators, wireless energy
transfer devices. It is possible to split these applications
into three groups. The first one operates without contact
with human body, e.g. X-ray based diagnostic systems.
The second group are systems that operates being
permanently implanted in the patient's body; the
pacemaker is an excellent example. The third group is
such that operates having its part implanted in human
body; totally implanted artificial heart is the example of
this group (in this case the system operates like TET
(Transcutaneous Energy Transfer by means of contactless
magnetic coupling).
It is possible to specify the following medical
application that are containing power electronics
subsystems. They are: i) X-ray based diagnostic systems,
ii) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), iii) medical
magnetic fields (MMF), vi) nerve and muscle stimulators,
v) prostheses (artificial heart and exoskeleton in it), vi)
artificial heart pump combined with BLDC machine with
levitating rotor, vi) batteries for supplying totally
implanted systems, vii) medical magnetic systems, viii)
electro-acupuncture.
The X-ray tube operating in diagnostic system needs
the supply of 30 kV to 150 kV and 1 mA to 1 A for
producing pulses 1 ms to 1 s. Contemporary supplying
systems operate like DC-DC SMPS that can be easily
controlled. HV transformer is needed. X-ray system is
equipped with devices for focus in x-ray beam, standard
electromagnetic coils, capillary lenses [9], [10] and self-
focused cathode [11].
MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) [12] is the
technology that uses magnetism, radio technology and
computer analysis to gain images of human body
structures. It contains the following parts: i) magnet, ii)
gradient coils, iii) RF coil, iv) gradient amplifier, v)
gradient pulse programmer, vi) RF detector, vii) RF
source, pulse programmer. The magnet generates main
DC magnetic field of 0.2 T to 2 T. It is made of
superconductor wire. It is kept in liquid helium (~4.2 K).
RF source operates at about 60 MHz. Magnet coils are
controlled by power converters. The MRI technology is
extremely interesting for power electronics community
from the theoretical as well as from application point of
view. The coils system has to be analyzed with FEM
software. The general structure of MRI is given in Fig. 1.
Medical Magnetic Fields (MMF) or Medical Magnetic
Therapy (MMT). This is the method of healing and
stimulating which is implemented by means of permanent
one or/and alternative magnetic fields [7], [8]. The fields
used in magnetotherapy range from 0.1 mT to 20 mT at
frequencies lower than 100 Hz. The fields used in
magneto-stimulation are from 1 pT to 100 μT AT
frequencies ranging from several Hz to 3000 Hz [7]. It is
necessary to notice that permanent neodymium magnets
have ~1.6 T maximal saturation value. The “equipment”
in the case of permanent magnetic field is very simple.
The only problem can be faced when the magnetic field
should be focused on certain place of patient but it is easy
shield
task as it the magnetic field density is relatively low. The
field can be confined to needed region by means of ferrite
screens. Also the variable magnetic fields do not cause
trouble as the frequencies and magnetic field have
relatively low values. MMF can be used in broad range of
cases. The results of clinical trials confirming beneficial
therapeutic effect of magneto-therapy and magneto-
stimulation. As therapeutic example one can give the
treatment of infectious wounds, burns and varicose
ulcers. It is even claimed that it can help broken bones
heal faster. Magnetic stimulation induces current in
certain parts of the patient body and made them more
active.
The next example of biomagnetic application of power
electronics is artificial heart [3], [13]. The scheme of
artificial heart is given in Fig. 2.
magnet
gradient coils
RF coils

measuring RF coils
table
gradient coils
magnet

gradient RF detector
amplifier
& gradient
prorammer digitizer
recording
pulse
programmer RF amplifier
computer
monitor

RF source

Fig. 1. General structure of MRI

Fig. 2. Scheme of artificial heart.

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 Fig. 3 Synchronous rectifier
Fig. 4. Prototype of artificial heart.
The main problem is to deliver energy to the pump of
artificial heart from outside the patient. There are two
methods. The first is when energy is transfer by a cable
through a hole made in the skin. This is dangerous
because of possible infectious disease. This disadvantage
is avoided in the second way of power transmission.
There is no need for hole in the patient skin. The energy
is transferred via coupled coils, one is put outside patient
positioning closely to his/her skin. The second coil is
implanted subcutaneously.
The coupled coils contribute with their 25% of power
loss with the overall efficiency of transcutaneous energy
transfer operate at efficiency of about 80%. The
efficiency of the coupled coils can be raised by means of
proper dimensions, using litz wire and application of
ferrite cores for external and internal coil. The latter
raises the value of couple coefficient which in turn
reduces power loss in the coils. The power loss is
important as the higher it is the higher temperature is
generate inside body of the patient. The second in row is
the pump together with motor that drives pump. The
special demand concerning the pump, which rotor is
integrated with the rotor of the motor should operate
being levitated in magnetic field. It is not allowed to rub
the rotor against the stator as it leads to destruction of
blood cells. The task of design of such pump integrated
with the motor is a serious one. The solution should be
based on hybrid solution: passive and at the same time
active one. This means that not only the design of the
pump / motor is a difficult task but the control of the
levitation process is also difficult. Other parts of such
artificial heart also are important as they should generate
minimal power losses. They are rectifier that converters
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energy delivered by coupled coils. The synchronous
Mosfet rectifier is the best solution. The system of
artificial heart contains internal battery which supplies
pump/motor when the energy is not delivered via coupled
coils (for instance when a patient carries out hygiene).
The internal battery charged also with the highest
possible efficiency so application of soft switching
charger is reasonable. The converter that supplies energy
taken from external battery has to proper features, like
well defined frequency, high efficiency and EMI below
accepted level. Class E inverter meets these requirements.
It is necessary to underline that application of
synchronous rectifier (Fig. 3) gives significant reduction
of power losses.
The next group of application are electromechnical
devices like prostheses, surgical robots and exoskeleton-
like systems [2]. These applications embrace power
electronics and electrical drivers being in close relation
with contemporary range this discipline.
Discussing power electronics in biomedical applications
it is necessary to take into consideration of: i) laser
systems (cascade infrared (Quantum Cascaded Laser) in
it), ii) ultrasonics .iii) batteries iii) contemporary
transistors SiC, etc.
III. CONCLUSION
The applications of power electronics in biomedicine is
important although they are usually not being a subject of
intensive research activity of power electronics
community.
Introducing the subject of power electronic in
biomedical application to power electronic conferences
leads to an intensification of both, power electronics and
biomedical applications. It is a valuable initiative.
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