IP Library Granted Patent US 8,937,408
Granted Patent B2
US 8,937,408 · App. 13/090,369 · Granted Jan 20, 2015

Wireless energy transfer for medical applications

Inventors: Steven J. Ganem (Westwood, MA); Morris P. Kesler (Bedford, MA); Katherine L. Hall (Westford, MA); David A. Schatz (Needham, MA)
Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
H02J7/025A61B2017/00367H03H7/40A61B19/2203A61B2017/00221H02J5/005
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,937,408
App. No.
13/090,369
Granted
Jan 20, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power transfer. Described are methods and designs for medical environments and devices. Wireless energy transfer is utilized to eliminate cords and power cables from operating instruments and electronic equipment requiring mobility.

Claims (25)

1. A wirelessly powered surgical device comprising:

a device resonator configured to generate an oscillating high voltage from a captured oscillating magnetic field;

a surgical device electrically coupled to the device resonator, the surgical device having a functional output directly powered by the oscillating high voltage; and

wherein the oscillating high voltage is at least 30 volts and has a frequency of at least 1 kHz.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the oscillating high voltage is at least 50 volts rms.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the oscillating high voltage is at least 100 volts rms.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the functional output includes an electric scalpel powered by the oscillating high voltage.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the functional output includes a cauterizer powered by the oscillating high voltage.

6. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a voltage sensor to measure a voltage of the oscillating high voltage, thereby providing a voltage measurement.

7. The device of claim 6 , further comprising a wireless communication channel to transmit the voltage measurement.

8. The device of claim 7 , further comprising a source resonator, wherein the source resonator is at least 5 cm from the device resonator and generates the captured oscillating magnetic field.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the source resonator and the device resonator has a quality factor greater than 100.

10. The device of claim 8 , wherein at least one parameter of the source resonator is adjusted in response to receiving the voltage measurement from the voltage sensor.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein a frequency of the oscillating magnetic fields generated by the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein an output power of the source resonator is adjustable in response to the voltage measurement received from the voltage sensor.

13. A wirelessly powered surgical system comprising:

a source resonator configured to generate an oscillating magnetic field;

a device resonator wirelessly coupled to the source resonator and configured to generate an oscillating high voltage energy from the oscillating magnetic field;

a surgical tool having an electrical output directly powered by the oscillating high voltage energy; and

wherein the oscillating high voltage is at least 30 volts and has a frequency of at least 1 kHz.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the surgical tool comprises an electric scalpel.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the surgical tool comprises a tissue cauterizer.

16. The system of claim 13 , further comprising a voltage sensor to measuring a voltage of the oscillating high voltage energy, thereby providing a voltage measurement.

17. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a communication interface that couples the voltage sensor to the source resonator, the voltage sensor configured to transmit the voltage measurement to the source resonator.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein at least one parameter of the source resonator is adjusted in response to the voltage measurement from the voltage sensor.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2025
From: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 074004/0929 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 16, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION
To: WITRICITY AI TECH, LLC
Reel/Frame 073982/0106 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2025
From: WITRICITY CORPORATION; WITRICITY HOLDINGS, INC.
To: AIR WAVES WIRELESS ELECTRICITY IV, LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT FOR LENDERS
Reel/Frame 073860/0204 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 13, 2011
From: GANEM, STEVEN J.; KESLER, MORRIS P.; HALL, KATHERINE L.; SCHATZ, DAVID A.
To: WITRICITY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026432/0443 →
Continuity (37)
Continuation In Part 13021965 · Feb 7, 2011
Continuation In Part 12986018 · Jan 6, 2011
Continuation In Part 12789611 · May 28, 2010
Continuation In Part 12770137 · Apr 29, 2010
Continuation In Part 12767633 · Apr 26, 2010
Continuation In Part 12759047 · Apr 13, 2010
Continuation In Part 12757716 · Apr 9, 2010
Continuation In Part 12749571 · Mar 30, 2010
Continuation In Part 12639489 · Dec 16, 2009
Continuation In Part 12647705 · Dec 28, 2009
Continuation In Part 12567716 · Sep 25, 2009
Continuation In Part 12721118 · Mar 10, 2010
Continuation In Part 12705582 · Feb 13, 2010
Provisional Application 61326051 · Apr 20, 2010
Provisional Application 61292768 · Jan 6, 2010
Provisional Application 61173747 · Apr 29, 2009
Provisional Application 61172633 · Apr 24, 2009
Provisional Application 61100721 · Sep 27, 2008
Provisional Application 61108743 · Oct 27, 2008
Provisional Application 61147386 · Jan 26, 2009
Provisional Application 61152086 · Feb 12, 2009
Provisional Application 61178508 · May 15, 2009
Provisional Application 61182768 · Jun 1, 2009
Provisional Application 61121159 · Dec 9, 2008
Provisional Application 61142977 · Jan 7, 2009
Provisional Application 61142885 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142796 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142889 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142880 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142818 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61142887 · Jan 6, 2009
Provisional Application 61156764 · Mar 2, 2009
Provisional Application 61143058 · Jan 7, 2009
Provisional Application 61163695 · Mar 26, 2009
Provisional Application 61169240 · Apr 14, 2009
Provisional Application 61152390 · Feb 13, 2009
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