Wireless charging is not new. More and more such chargers are getting into the market. However, medical device industry is chary of using something untested for human use to ensure user safety and to avoid chronic effects. Wireless has been declared as non ionizing radiation and not posing the cancer risks of ionizing radiation like X Rays or Gamma Rays. Concerns still remain on the long term safety of RF. Still, the convenience of wireless charging is creating interest for use with medical devices including active implants. Wireless charging is not without disadvantages. Foremost of these being lower efficiency. The lost power appears as heat. This can lower battery life, which is of great concern in implanted batteries. The cost of such chargers can be about a third more than conventional chargers. However, the convenience of wireless charger may yet tilt the scales. Read more here: http://www.medicalelectronicsdesign.com/article/charge-your-medical-devices-without-wires
I've never been impressed by Wireless Charging; unless it's long-distance. I think it will take time. But the disadvantages you've mentioned can't be ignored. As the world goes more power hungry the batteries are going to gain more importance. I wonder what are the top advantages of wireless charging?
Other than the limited convenience of untethered charging, I too do not see much benefit. But the consequence of your observation can be more important. The overall efficiency of wireless cahrging is only about 70%. Considering the five billion or so mobile devices in use, even a one watt loss translates to 5,000 Mega Watts potential loss.
If wireless power transmission is acquired permanently, wouldn't it make the batteries obsolete? Like the devices will never have to rely on batteries then when they have the mains supply all the time...
Unfortunately life saving medical devices can be life taking if there is a power outage. Batteries are a legal requirement.
