Greatbatch Extends Its Relationship with WiTricity to Include Wireless Energy Transfer for Implantable and Interventional Medical Devices

WATERTOWN, Mass. & FRISCO, Tex.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WiTricity,
the industry pioneer in wireless power transfer over distance, today
announced that Greatbatch,
a global developer and manufacturer of medical devices and components,
has extended its relationship with WiTricity to leverage its wireless
energy transfer technology in the development of implantable medical
device applications. Under the terms of this expanded licensing and
collaboration agreement, Greatbatch licenses WiTricity’s intellectual
property (IP) for the purpose of commercializing efficient,
high-performance wireless charging and power system solutions across a
wide range of medical devices, including active implantable and
interventional applications.
Unlike the consumer electronics and automotive industries, where
wireless energy is reaching an inflection point, the healthcare industry
continues to struggle with cords and power transfer limitations. With
more than 51 million surgeries taking place annually in the US¹,
operating rooms are frequently challenged by the tangle of power cords
that can hamper procedural efficiency. Considering that more than 150
million people worldwide are candidates for power-centric
neurostimulation implants², significant opportunity exists to
untether the healthcare space for physicians and their patients,
enabling therapy delivery withfewer limitations.
WiTricity and Greatbatch announced Greatbatch’s plans to design and
develop advanced wireless power transfer solutions for surgical and
portable medical equipment in August 2015.
This new agreement expands collaboration between Greatbatch and
WiTricity to cover a broad range of medical devices and systems.
Greatbatch intends to work closely with customers to define
opportunities to leverage WiTricity technology into medical devices and
clinical applications where wireless power transfer solutions can
address unmet clinical needs, enabling critical innovation in the
current and next generations of implantable, interventional and portable
medical devices.
“Medical devices and systems are primed for a revolution, and wireless
power transfer will allow designers to develop smaller, safer, easier to
use and more reliable solutions for physicians and patients,” said
Declan Smyth, president of Advanced Surgical, Orthopedics and Power
Solutions at Greatbatch. “Our continued efforts with WiTricity will
expand our innovation in wireless power transfer for the medical device
industry and we’re looking forward to leading the way in this important
market segment.”
WiTricity’s patented technology offers unique benefits for the medical
device industry. Flexible positioning and increased distance for high
efficiency charging – as well as the ability to charge through
non-metallic materials such as plastic and glass – allow designers to
remove contacts and create sealed systems. Harnessing wireless power
transfer has the potential to ease sterilization, reduce procedure time
and maintenance and increase reliability for these critical tools. With
the ease and increased charging opportunities provided by wireless
charging, battery size may be reduced, decreasing weight and offering a
more ergonomic experience for users. In addition, WiTricity’s technology
has the potential to significantly improve the usability and efficiency
of implantable devices charged or powered through the skin.
“Implantable medical applications are a natural fit for WiTricity
technology, allowing new designs that increase patient comfort, reduce
battery sizes and deliver a better overall patient experience,” said
WiTricity CEO Alex Gruzen. “Working with Greatbatch, a decided leader in
medical device design and manufacturing, enables WiTricity to address
the medical market as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Greatbatch will be exhibiting at the Heart Rhythm Society’s 37^th
Annual Scientific Sessions, May 4 – 7, 2016, at the Moscone Center in
San Francisco, CA. Visit booth 1214 to learn more.
About WiTricity
WiTricity Corporation provides technology to
enable wireless power transfer over distance using magnetic resonance.
Through deep domain expertise, semiconductor offerings, a strong IP
portfolio and an extensive reference design library, WiTricity works
with innovative companies to incorporate WiTricity technology in their
products and solutions. With a growing list of global customers in the
consumer electronics, automotive, medical devices and defense
industries, the company has emerged as the leader in wireless power
transfer over distance. For more information, visit www.witricity.com,
or follow WiTricity on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About Greatbatch, Inc.
Greatbatch, Inc. (NYSE:GB) is
one of the largest medical device outsource (MDO) manufacturers in the
world serving the cardiac, neuromodulation, orthopedics, vascular,
advanced surgical and portable medical markets. The company provides
innovative, high quality medical technologies that enhance the lives of
patients worldwide. In addition, it develops batteries for high-end
niche applications in energy, military, and environmental markets. The
company’s brands include Greatbatch Medical, Lake Region Medical and
Electrochem. Additional information is available at www.greatbatch.com.
In October 2015, Greatbatch, Inc. completed its acquisition of Lake
Region Medical, with the combined company expected to be renamed Integer
Holdings Corporation later this year following stockholder approval.
1 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, National Center for Health
Statistics, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/inpatient-surgery.htm
2 Medtech Insight, Neurostimulation Market, March 2013.