Feasibility of an implantable, stimulated muscle-powered piezoelectric generator as a power source for implanted medical devices

Abstract

A piezoelectric energy generator that is driven by stimulated muscle and is\break implantable into the human body is under development for use as a self-replenishing power source for implanted electronic medical devices. The generator concept includes connecting a piezoelectric stack generator in series with a muscle tendon unit. The motor nerve is electrically activated causing muscle contraction force to strain the piezoelectric material resulting in charge generation that is stored in a load capacitor. Some of the generated charge is used to power the nerve stimulations and the excess is used to power an implanted device. The generator concept is based on the hypothesis that more electrical power can be converted from stimulated muscle contractions than is needed for the stimulations, a physiological phenomenon that to our knowledge has not previously been utilized. Such a generator is a potential solution\break to some of the limitations of power systems currently used with implanted devices. © 2009 Springer US.