Medical Electronics
Vision of a Vagus Nerve Stimulator powered by Stereax Solid State Batteries
Energy harvesting technology to eliminate the need for external charging. These advancements have only become viable recently due to improvements in microelectronics. Modern ultra-low-power microcontrollers integrate processing, memory, connectivity, and even AI-driven analytics, enabling more effective and adaptive treatment solutions.
Powering electroceuticals: the battery breakthrough
One of the biggest hurdles in electroceutical development has been ensuring a reliable and safe power source. Traditional implants, such as pacemakers, rely on bulky battery packs that require surgical replacement every six-to-ten years. Rechargeable batteries were previously dismissed due to concerns that patients might forget to charge them, leading to device failure. However, energy harvesting technology now allows batteries to recharge passively, removing this concern. Current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), while commonly used in medical implants, have several drawbacks. They use liquid electrolytes, which can leak or degrade over time. To prevent these risks, LIBs require thick steel casings, making them larger and heavier than ideal for medical applications. In contrast, solid state batteries (SSBs) present a safer, more efficient alternative. Unlike LIBs, SSBs use a solid electrolyte, eliminating the risk of leakage. This allows for smaller, lighter, and more energy-dense
designs, ideal for implantable medical devices. As SSB technology advances, it is expected to further enhance electroceutical capabilities, potentially incorporating wireless charging and flexible form factors.
Solid state batteries: the key to miniaturised medical implants SSBs are already being developed specifically for electroceuticals. One of the leaders in this field is Ilika, a UK-based company. Their Stereax range of miniature solid state batteries has been designed to power medical implants. The Stereax M300, for example, has a capacity of 300 µAh and can deliver 3 mA of current, all within a form factor of just 5.6 mm x 3.6 mm x 1.1 mm. These batteries can be stacked to increase voltage or capacity, making them adaptable for various applications. The use of SSBs is already transforming heart pacemakers. Traditional pacemakers require bulky batteries and invasive surgery, while next-generation electroceutical pacemakers can be implanted via a catheter without surgery. At the end of their lifespan, these new devices will naturally degrade, eliminating the need for risky extraction procedures.
Electroceuticals: a partner, not a rival, to pharmaceuticals
While electroceuticals could reduce reliance on Photograph of Stereax solid state battery
Industry developments and emerging applications Companies like Cirtec Medical are accelerating electroceutical adoption by offering turnkey solutions for device development. Cirtec’s SIMPLIFI Neuromodulation Platform allows medical companies to customise implantable devices without designing them from scratch. Beyond neurostimulation, electroceuticals are being explored for applications such as: Smart contact lenses to analyse eye
health.
Implants that monitor joint conditions and detect early signs of failure.
Wearable biosensors that track early disease indicators.
www.cieonline.co.uk
entirely, electroceuticals may complement drug treatments, improving their efficacy while reducing systemic risks. As the field continues to evolve, these tiny devices could redefine how we approach healthcare, leading to safer, more personalised, and more effective treatments for a wide range of conditions.
In the near future, electroceuticals could become a standard component of modern medicine, revolutionising everything from pain management to chronic disease treatment - ushering in a new era of precision healthcare.
https://www.ilika.com Components in Electronics May 2025 17
Implantation via catheter
pharmaceuticals, they may also enhance drug delivery. By integrating a miniaturised drug pump and reservoir, electroceutical implants could deliver medication directly to targeted areas, offering several advantages: Lower required dosages, reducing side effects and treatment costs. More precise drug delivery, ensuring effectiveness and eliminating misuse. No risk of drug diversion, preventing addiction and abuse.
The future of electroceuticals in healthcare
Electroceuticals represent a paradigm shift in medicine. Unlike traditional pharmaceuticals, they offer precise, targeted treatments with fewer side effects. Advances in miniaturisation, AI- driven monitoring, wireless connectivity, and solid state batteries are making them increasingly viable.
Rather than replacing pharmaceuticals
Cirtec Medical ACCEL+ neurostimulation platform
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