Established wireless power transfer (WPT) methods for electronic medical implants imply the use of bulky components, such as coils, that hinder miniaturization. This impedes their practical use in different medical applications. To overcome this, we propose a WPT approach that uses the body as an electrical conductor of innocuous high frequency current bursts. The currents are applied by an external unit through superficial electrodes and are picked up by each implant using two electrodes separated a few centimeters. The electronic medical implants may have a flexible threadlike conformation, hence facilitating implantation by injection. Within the eAXON project, which is aimed at the development of microstimulators for neuroprosthetics, we conceived and protected a technology for the development of implantable sensing systems that obtain measurements related to physical or chemical magnitudes in the implant or in its vicinity. In contrast to previous implantable sensing technologies, our technology allows the implementation of flexible and very thin implants (diameter < 1 mm). During the Senso-eAXON project, we have developed and validated the technology for cardiovascular monitoring. The implants consist of a metallic capsule that houses an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a transducer. The implant is powered and interrogated using two flexible electrodes located at opposite ends of the capsule. Prototypes were successfully implanted by catheterization in acute and chronic studies, demonstrating safety for the intended application. A second patent application was filed during the project to protect the technology, and a market study was done to identify in which clinical application the technology could have a higher socioeconomic impact. The Senso-eAXON project has helped us pave the way for a future spin-off company aimed at further developing and clinically validating the technology for the identified clinical need.
