Solid-state battery technology company Ilika announced the launch of its ‘Stereax M50’ millimetre-scale solid-state batteries designed for medical implants.

The AIM-traded firm said the Stereax M50 took solid-state batteries to “a new level” of miniaturisation, which would enable medical device innovations that had previously been limited by the available battery technology.

It explained that the medical technology space was “one of the most challenging” environments for battery technologies, with batteries needing to be small enough to be unobtrusive, enabling implantable devices to be charged in a way that did not restrict a patient, and carrying as long a life-span as possible, avoiding the risks associated with repeated surgical procedures.

They also needed to be biocompatible, so that they did not pose a risk to the patient.

Ilika said each device application could require different capacities and form factors, which could now be accommodated with the customisable battery sizes and shapes enabled by the Stereax M50.

Innovation in applications that required injection into the bloodstream, monitoring heart rhythm or attachment onto the peripheral nervous system for neurostimulation could be enabled with the technology, the board said.

The batteries enabled self-sustaining power sources that did not need to be changed regularly, or use inconvenient cabling, it added.

“The implantable medical device industry has a growing need for miniaturised, long-life power sources to enable wireless data transfer from increasingly sophisticated devices that are improving patients' lives,” explained Mike Nagy, chief technology officer of hemodynamic monitoring product producer Endotronix - a potential customer of the new technology.

Relative to standard lithium ion batteries, Stereax M50 solid-state batteries had up to five times longer life spans of up to 10 years, and up to 10 times lower leakage currents, which Ilika said made them suitable for low-power wireless charging.

They could also be integrated with other electronic components, enabling the end medical device to be kept as small as possible.

Stereax M50 yielded “leading edge” energy density, with 50% extra density compared to other commercially available solid-state batteries, it explained.

“The Stereax product family continues to grow, addressing a wide range of end applications. Medical applications are some of the most demanding environments for battery technology,” said Ilika chief executive officer Graeme Purdy.

“The Stereax M50 is a smaller, safer and longer lasting battery, opening up the opportunities of life enhancing medical devices.”