Medical Design Briefs - April 2023 - 4

The Great Potential of Healthcare IoT Through Wireless Power
W
, allows
devices to charge wirelessly over the air
using RF energy.
WattUp uses a transmitter that sends
RF energy to a receiver in a device, which
then converts that energy into usable
electrical power to charge the device's
battery. The technology can work with a
wide range of devices, including wearables,
IoT devices, and even hearing aids.
One of the key advantages of WattUp is
its ability to charge devices at a distance,
without requiring them to be in physical
contact with a charging pad or dock. This
makes it a highly flexible and convenient
charging solution, particularly for devices
that are constantly on-the-go.
Applications in healthcare range
from asset tracking and storage and
monitoring of vaccinations and drugs to
patient tracking and in-hospital sensors
of doors and windows. Transmitters offer
an unlimited coverage area via a
mesh network. Receivers take up a very
small footprint. The flexible WattUp
wireless charging technology can fit easily
into devices large and small, and it
supports both low- and high-power requirements.
When devices can be cordless
and completely sealed, it enables
easy sterilization and removes the need
to manage cords.
Energous' technology can be applied
to the healthcare industry in a few different
ways. Here are some examples.
Wireless Charging of Medical Devices.
Energous' WattUp technology can
wirelessly charge medical devices such
as hearing aids, insulin pumps, and glucose
monitors, without requiring paireless
charging has made an incredible
impact on the world, including
on the world of healthcare. But
is there more that can be achieved?
One company's technology is poised to
support both near-field and at-a- distance
charging. San Jose-based Energous develops
radio-frequency(RF)-based wireless
power transfer technologies and customizable
reference designs to power everything
from the critical tools and devices
that keep factories running to the instruments
and wearables that monitor patient
health - wirelessly. The company's flagship
technology, called WattUp®
tients to constantly replace batteries.
This can improve patient experience
and reduce the need for frequent device
maintenance.
Power at a Distance for Wearable
Medical Devices. Wearable medical devices
such as ECG monitors, blood pressure
monitors, and pulse oximeters require
frequent charging. The technology
can enable these devices to be charged
wirelessly and from a distance, making it
more convenient for patients to use
these devices on a regular basis.
Remote Patient Monitoring. Power-ata-distance
technology can also enable
remote patient monitoring, allowing
healthcare professionals to monitor patients'
health from a distance. This can
be particularly useful for patients who
live in remote or rural areas, where access
to healthcare may be limited.
Smart Hospital Infrastructure. The
technology can enable wireless power
transfer for a variety of devices and systems
within a healthcare facility. This
can include everything from lighting
and HVAC systems to medical equipment
and devices.
Overall, Energous' technology has the
potential to improve the convenience,
functionality, and efficiency of healthcare
devices and systems, ultimately leading
to better patient outcomes and
experiences.
The company received the world's
first FCC Part 18 certification for at-a-distance
wireless charging and has been
awarded more than 200 patents for its
WattUp technology. The technology supports
a near-limitless range of applications
without the need for cumbersome
charging cables and ports that limit innovation
and are prone to failure.
To further expand capabilities, Energous
partners with other technology developers
to offer such services as end-toend
device tracking and IoT sensing.
IoT sensors detect, respond, and report
changes in an environment, and RF Tags
are enabled for real-time tracking and
management of products through their
entire supply chain.
Wireless charging at a distance could
be a game changer for medical devices
in hospital settings.
Sherrie Trigg
Applications in healthcare include asset tracking. (Credit: Energous)
4
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Editor and Director of Medical Content
Medical Design Briefs, April 2023
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Medical Design Briefs - April 2023

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