Development of an Electrostatic Generator that Harnesses the Motion of a Living Body (Generation Using Heartbeat)

Abstract

We aimed for permanently supplying the electrical energy to an apparatus for in vivo use such as a cardiac pacemaker and proposed a variable-capacitance-type (VC-type) electrostatic (ES) generator that harnesses the motion of a living body. To verify effectiveness of the system, the test of the ES generator by the animal experiment was made as follows: The sino-atrial node of the canine heart was blocked. The motion of the heart was reproduced by the z-axis vibrator in real time and the VC-type ES generator was vibrated. The ES generator supplied electrical power to the constant rate pacemaker. Its output pulse stimulated the myocardium of the dog. It was confirmed that the ES generator could generate enough electrical power to drive a cardiac pacemaker and to stimulate the canine heart with the heart rate of 180 [bpm]. © 2001, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.