A Framework for Short-Range Wireless Power and Data Transfer in Miniaturized High-Power, High-Bandwidth Implants

As implantable medical devices become increasingly miniaturized while demanding higher power levels, longer lifetimes, and larger data throughput, conventional powering and communication approaches are reaching their practical limits. Consequently, wireless power and data transfer have emerged as key enabling technologies for next-generation implantable systems. However, designing wireless links that simultaneously satisfy these requirements while remaining compact, efficient, and safe remains a significant challenge. To address this, this paper introduces an exploration and evaluation framework for selecting and co-designing short-range wireless power and data transfer technologies in medical devices such as cochlear and retinal implants. Guided by application requirements and relevant safety standards, the framework evaluates candidate technologies based on their operating principles, performance, and integration complexity. Based on this analysis, resonant inductive coupling is identified as the preferred approach for wireless power transfer, while both coil-based and antenna-based solutions are considered for wireless data transfer. Additionally, the paper compares architectures for integrated wireless power and data transfer, including both single- and multiple-link designs, and reviews strategies for uplink communication. The framework aims to guide the development of future sensory neuroprostheses that are smaller, safer, and capable of higher performance through optimized wireless link design.