ITEN to develop solid-state batteries for medical devices
The French solid-state energy storage company ITEN has announced a major development program to adapt its high-capacity solid-state battery technology for Class III implantable medical devices.
Through SOLIMED, ITEN’s development project within the European IPCEI Tech4Cure initiative, the company will adapt and fine-tune its high-capacity solid-state battery technology for the stringent requirements of devices implanted inside the human body.
The technology is being developed to combine safety, high energy density, fast-charging capabilities, reliability and long operating life. Development targets include a cell energy density of 600 Wh/L, cell capacity above 2 Ah and the ability to recover 80 percent of capacity in less than 20 minutes.
ITEN’s technology builds on its core expertise in nanomaterials, leveraging their properties to create full-ceramic electrodes that are stacked and overmolded to form the battery module. Unlike conventional batteries using liquid electrolytes, ITEN’s all-solid-state architecture avoids the liquid electrolyte and organic materials used in conventional batteries, eliminating the risk of thermal runaway and flammability.
Moreover, the monolithic architecture of ITEN’s ceramic battery is said to drastically reducedthe volume variation of the cells, removing a key factor that limits the battery lifetime.
The high energy density targeted by ITEN is expected to enable the design of a compact battery pack placed inside the body. Fast-charging capability is intended to support transcutaneous wireless recharge, enabling the implanted battery to recover most of its capacity in a matter of minutes.
“Implantable medical devices represent one of the most demanding applications for any energy storage technology,” said Vincent Cobée, CEO of ITEN. “Safety is paramount, but it must be combined with high energy density, fast charging, reliability and long operating life. This development program is a major milestone for ITEN and a strong validation of our core solid-state technology platform. It opens the way to a new generation of solutions for Class III medical devices, supporting our ambition to become a global leader in advanced solid-state energy storage.”
The post-processing capabilities of ITEN’s technology will enable the company to evaluate new biocompatible overmolding materials for the complete battery subsystem. The objective is to explore alternatives to the traditional titanium cases used for implantable batteries.
A cardiac assist application provides the first use case for the development program. ITEN sees a much broader opportunity for its technology across the Class III medical device market addressing the energy storage requirements of neurostimulators, hearing implants, implantable pumps and other active implantable medical devices.
IPCEI Tech4Cure is a European initiative supporting breakthrough medical technologies and strengthening Europe’s healthcare innovation capabilities and technological sovereignty.
