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Abstract

A substantially flexible primary coil for use in a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) device. When in use, the primary coil conforms to the contours of a patient's body, and, more particularly, to the shape of the skin under which a secondary coil of the TET is implanted. The shape of the primary coil adjusts with short term and long term changes in the contour of the patient's skin, enabling the primary coil to maintain a desired relative position with the implanted secondary coil as the patient changes position, posture or orientation, as well as over time as the patient loses or gains weight. The primary coil includes a shape-retaining base ring defining a primary plane. The base ring is firm, yet is able to conform to the contours of the substrate upon which it is placed. Attached to the base ring is a conducting element such as flexible wire which is coiled to form a plurality of nearly concentric windings. The windings are able to move at any angle, including transverse, to the primary plane so as to adopt the shape of the skin against which it is placed. In this way, the primary coil can be placed on any irregular surface and take the shape of the irregularities. A binding element is bound to the plurality of windings so that the near concentricity of the windings is maintained when the windings move.

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