Micro-generator implant

• US 20040073267A1
• Filed: 10/09/2002
• Published: 04/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sirius Implantable Systems Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Sirius Implantable Systems Ltd.
• Inventors: Holzer, Asher
• Application Number:
  US10/266,681
• Publication Number:
  US 20040073267A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/35
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0587 Epicardial electrode systems; Endocardial electrodes piercing the pericardium
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement

Abstract

A micro-generator implant device including: (a) a micro-generator, disposed within a living body, the micro-generator including: (i) a first mechanism for harnessing mechanical energy from a natural body movement, and (ii) a second mechanism for converting the mechanical energy to electrical energy, the electrical energy for providing power within the living body.

Claims

1. A micro-generator implant device comprising:

(a) a micro-generator, disposed within a living body, said micro-generator including;

(i) a first mechanism for harnessing mechanical energy from a natural body movement, and

(ii) a second mechanism for converting said mechanical energy to electrical energy,

said electrical energy for providing power within said living body.

2. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said electrical energy converted by said second mechanism is for providing power to an implant within said living body.

3. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, further comprising:

(b) an energy storage unit, operatively connected to said second mechanism, for storing said electrical energy, said energy storage unit being operatively connected with said implant.

4. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, further comprising:

(b) an implant, operatively connected to said second mechanism, such that said second mechanism provides said electrical energy to said implant.

5. The micro-generator implant device of claim 3, wherein said energy storage unit includes a rechargeable battery.

6. The micro-generator implant device of claim 3, wherein said energy storage unit includes a capacitor.

7. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes a pacemaker.

8. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes a defibrillator.

9. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes an internal communication device.

10. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes an internal monitoring device.

11. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes an intra-cardiac device.

12. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes an intra blood vessel device.

13. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes an intra-coronary device.

14. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said implant includes a sub-cutaneous device.

15. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said first mechanism is associated with a stent.

16. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said stent is a coronary stent.

17. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said stent is a graft stent.

18. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said first mechanism includes a ratchet mechanism.

19. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said first mechanism includes a magnet for inducing a magnetic field.

20. The micro-generator implant device of claim 19, wherein said first mechanism includes a shaft disposed within a coil, said shaft and said coil designed and configured to move within said magnetic field so as to produce a changing magnetic flux through said coil.

21. The micro-generator implant device of claim 2, wherein said second mechanism includes a dynamo for generating current.

22. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said natural body movement is a displacement of heart tissue.

23. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said natural body movement is a twisting motion produced during a beating of the heart.

24. The micro-generator implant device of claim 22, wherein said displacement is a substantially-linear displacement.

25. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said natural body movement includes a flowing of blood through a blood vessel.

26. The micro-generator implant device of claim 25, wherein said first mechanism includes a rotating mechanism for rotating within said blood vessel.

27. The micro-generator implant device of claim 25, wherein said first mechanism includes a leaf for absorbing energy from said flowing of blood through said blood vessel.

28. The micro-generator implant device of claim 25, wherein said first mechanism includes a flexible membrane, operatively connected to a wall of said blood vessel, for absorbing energy from said flowing of blood through said blood vessel.

29. The micro-generator implant device of claim 28, wherein said flexible membrane is disposed within said blood vessel.

30. The micro-generator implant device of claim 28, wherein said second mechanism is disposed outside of said blood vessel.

31. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said micro-generator is disposed within a limb of said living body.

32. The micro-generator implant device of claim 1, wherein said limb includes a prosthesis device.

33. The micro-generator implant device of claim 15, wherein said micro-generator is operatively connected with said stent, said stent disposed within a blood vessel.

34. The micro-generator implant device of claim 33, wherein said stent is a cylindrical stent.

35. The micro-generator implant device of claim 33, wherein said stent is a coil stent.

36. A method of generating energy within a living body, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a micro-generator implant device including;

(i) a micro-generator, disposed within a living body, said micro-generator including;

(A) a first mechanism for harnessing mechanical energy from a natural body movement, and

(B) a second mechanism for converting said mechanical energy to electrical energy, and

(b) generating energy within the living body by means of said micro-generator.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising the step of:

(c) supplying energy to said micro-generator from a natural motion of the body.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said natural motion of the body includes a motion of heart muscle tissue.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein said natural motion of the body includes a motion of blood passing through a blood vessel.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein said natural motion of the body includes a motion of a limb.