Implantable micro power generator (IMPG)
View Patent ↗An implantable device for harvesting in-vivo blood pressure fluctuations' energy to generate electrical power for powering medical implants while avoiding the need for external power sources.
1. An implantable device for converting an in-vivo blood pressure fluctuation to electricity comprising:
a housing comprising a sealed chamber:
the sealed chamber comprising a wall having a piezo element disposed thereon;
a pressure coupling tube in fluid communication with the wall and with a blood volume in a blood vessel; and;
the wall and piezo element each configured to bend in or out from a relaxed position whereby a change in a pressure in the blood volume in the sealed chamber urges the wall and piezo element in or out from the relaxed position.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the piezo element is a piezo-electric membrane.
3. The device of claim 1 further comprising electrical storage means.
4. The device of claim 1 further comprising power regulation circuitry.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising communication means for electronic communication with an out-of-the-body control device.
6. The device of claim 1 further comprising wireless communication means for electronic communication with an out-of-the-body control device.
7. An implantable device for converting an in-vivo blood pressure fluctuation to electricity comprising:
a housing comprising a sealed chamber;
the sealed chamber comprising a wall having a piezo element disposed thereon;
a pressure coupling tube in fluid communication with the sealed chamber;
the pressure coupling tube and sealed chamber filled at least in part with an intermediary fluid;
the pressure coupling tube in fluid communication with a blood volume in a blood vessel:
a flexible membrane disposed within the pressure coupling tube separating the blood volume from the intermediary fluid whereby a fluctuation in a pressure in the blood volume is coupled through the flexible membrane and to the intermediary fluid; and;
the wall and piezo element each configured to bend in or out from a relaxed position whereby a change in a pressure in the intermediary fluid urges the wall and piezo element in or out from the relaxed position.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the piezo element is a piezo-electric membrane.
9. The device of claim 7 further comprising electrical storage means.
10. The device of claim 7 further comprising power regulation circuitry.
11. The device of claim 7 further comprising communication means for electronic or wireless communication with an out-of-the-body control device.