A CLOSED LOOP TRANSCUTANEOUS POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH THERMAL CONTROL FOR ARTIFICIAL URETHRAL VALVE DRIVEN BY SMA ACTUATOR

摘要

This paper presents the development of a transcutaneous power transmission system with closed loop thermal control function for an implanted artificial urethral valve that is used for the treatment of urinary incontinence. An artificial urethral valve driven by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator is developed. The SMA actuator is activated with batteries placed outside a patient's body using a transcutaneous power transmission system. The power transmission system is equipped with an implanted temperature monitor circuit and a temperature controller to prevent the SMA actuator from being overheated during a prolonged urination. Laboratory experiments and animal experiments, both in vitro and in vivo, show that the developed power transmission system can successfully control the temperature of the SMA actuator to activate the valve without excessive heating of the SMA actuator.