Apparatus for harvesting and storing energy on a chip

• US 20050182459A1
• Filed: 12/29/2004
• Published: 08/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: E Sol Incorporated
• Original Assignee: E Sol Incorporated
• Inventors: John, Varghese, John, Constance M.
• Application Number:
  US11/027,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20050182459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/32 alternating or intermittent currents applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling A61N1/40; microwave apparatus A61N5/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

An apparatus for receiving energy through space and storing the received energy on a chip includes an antenna for receiving the energy, a converter circuit for converting the received energy, and a storage device for storing the converted energy, the antenna, converter circuit and storage device being formed on the chip. Associated methods of use of the apparatus are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for receiving energy through space and storing the received energy on a chip comprising:

an antenna for receiving the energy;

a converter circuit for converting the received energy; and

a storage device for storing the converted energy, the antenna, converter circuit, and storage device being formed on the chip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the antenna has an effective antenna size greater than a physical antenna size.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the converter circuit comprises a voltage doubler.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage device comprises a capacitor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a signaling means powered by the stored energy.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charge carrying means powered by the stored energy.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching means powered by the stored energy.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vibrational means powered by the stored energy.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a heating means powered by the stored energy.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cooling means powered by the stored energy.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip has dimensions in the micrometer range.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chip has dimensions in the nanometer range.

13. A method of treating a disease comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having an antenna for receiving energy through space, a converter circuit for converting the received energy, a storage device for storing the converted energy, the antenna, converter circuit, and storage device being formed on a chip;

coupling the apparatus to a drug delivery system; and

powering the drug delivery system from the apparatus.

14. A method of electrically stimulating a tissue comprising the steps of:

providing an apparatus having an antenna for receiving energy through space, a converter circuit for converting the received energy, a storage device for storing the converted energy, the antenna, converter circuit, and storage device being formed on a chip;

coupling the apparatus to an electrode; and

powering the electrode from the apparatus.

15. A method of treating a disease comprising the steps of:

harvesting RF energy;

storing the harvested RF energy on a chip; and

using the stored energy to treat the disease.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein harvesting RF energy comprises providing an apparatus having an antenna for receiving RF energy through space and a converter circuit for converting the received RF energy.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein storing the harvested RF energy on a chip comprises providing a storage device for storing the converted RF energy, the antenna, converter circuit, and storage device being formed on the chip.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises powering a drug delivery system.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises charging a device disposed within a gel capsule.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises providing an electrical stimulation.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises providing a mechanical stimulation.

22. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises powering a micro pump.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises detecting the binding of a molecule of interest.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises powering an artificial cell.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein using the stored energy to treat the disease comprises powering an artificial organ.

26. A method of preventing a disease comprising the steps of:

harvesting RF energy;

storing the harvested RF energy on a chip; and

using the stored energy to prevent the disease.