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Abstract

A method and apparatus for enhancing transcutaneous energy transfer to provide power to a medical device that is disposed within the body of a patient. A magnetic field is created by an external transmitting coil (200), which induces an electrical current in a receiving coil (300) that has been placed under the patient's skin (100). The flux path magnetic permeability between the receiving and transmitting coils is enhanced by the implantation of particles (120) into dermis (104) within the skin at that site. The particles, which comprise soft iron or other material having a characteristic high magnetic permeability, are preferably implanted using either a hypodermic needle (150) or a medical air injection device (160). A biocompatible material such as Teflon.TM. is applied as a coating (123) to the particles. To implant the particles, they are preferably first suspended in a liquid, forming a mixture that is readily delivered to the desired location. The particles are dispersed in a deposit below the epidermis, so that the deposit is between pole faces of the transmitting and the receiving coils. The efficiency of transcutaneous power transfer increases because the magnetic flux density coupling the transmitting and receiving coils is improved by the particles.

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