DEVICES, METHODS, AND SYSTEMS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY IN THE BODY

• US 20090216292A1
• Filed: 02/25/2009
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc. (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Heide, Adolf van der, Wingeier, Brett M., Gibb, Barbara, Boling, Carl Lance, Pless, Benjamin David
• Granted Patent: US 8,311,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/33
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 11/002 Generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02N 2/18 producing electrical output from mechanical input, e.g. generators for measurement devices G01

Abstract

In some embodiments, the power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy is described may include a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed in an environment having a variable compressive force such as varying ambient pressures. The compressible element may be compressed by a force applied by the variable pressure to the compressible element. The power generator may further include a transducer that may be coupled to the compressible element and that may convert mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy. In some embodiments, the power generator may be adapted to be an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, such that the compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element.

Claims

1. An implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element; and

a transducer, coupled to the compressible element, that converts mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy.

2. The implantable power generator of claim 1, wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element, compresses the compressible element a distance greater than 10 μ

m.

3. The implantable power generator of claim 1, the compressible element comprising:

a base adapted and configured to be coupled to the first tissue layer; and

a moveable surface, substantially opposite to the base, adapted and configured to be coupled to the second tissue layer;

wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element moves the movable surface with respect to the base.

4. The implantable power generator of claim 3, wherein the base is a substantially rigid surface and the moveable surface is a flexible surface.

5. The implantable power generator of claim 4, the moveable surface comprising a piston head.

6. The implantable power generator of claim 3, the base comprising a second movable surface, wherein both the first and second moveable surfaces are flexible.

7. The implantable power generator of claim 1, wherein the compressible element defines a chamber and further comprises a fluid within the chamber.

8. The implantable power generator of claim 7, wherein, upon compression of the compressible element, the compressible element displaces the fluid from within the chamber of the compressible element, thereby generating a fluid pressure.

9. The implantable power generator of claim 8, further comprising a transmission, coupled to the compressible element and to the transducer, that transforms a motion from the compression of the compressible element into a rotational motion.

10. The implantable power generator of claim 9, the transmission further comprising a wheel that transforms a fluid pressure from the compression of the compressible element into a rotational motion.

11. The implantable power generator of claim 9, the transmission further comprising a rack and a pinion that transforms the motion from the compression of the compressible element into a rotational motion.

12. The implantable power generator of claim 9, the transmission further comprising a threaded spindle and a threaded cylinder, coupled to the threaded spindle, that transforms the motion from the compression of the compressible element into a rotational motion.

13. The implantable power generator of claim 9, the transducer comprising an electromagnetic generator coupled to the transmission.

14. The implantable power generator of claim 13, wherein the rotational motion from the transmission drives the electromagnetic generator, such that the electromagnetic generator converts the rotational motion to electrical energy.

15. The implantable power generator of claim 8, wherein the transducer comprises a capacitor having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the plates have a first voltage across them when they are positioned a first distance from one another, and have a second voltage across them when they positioned a second distance from one another.

16. The implantable power generator of claim 15, wherein the fluid pressure generated by the compressible element separates the first plate from the second plate, such that they move from the first distance to the second distance.

17. The implantable power generator of claim 15, wherein the first distance is less than the second distance, and the first voltage is less than the second voltage.

18. The implantable power generator of claim 7, wherein the transducer comprises a capacitor within the chamber, having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the fluid is a phase changing dielectric fluid and the plates have a first voltage across them when the dielectric fluid is in a first phase and have a second voltage across them when the dielectric fluid is in a second phase.

19. The implantable power generator of claim 18, the compressible element comprising:

a base adapted and configured to be coupled to the first tissue layer; and

a moveable surface, substantially opposite to the base, adapted and configured to be coupled to the second tissue layer;

wherein the base and the movable surface define the volume of the chamber, and the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element moves the movable surface with respect to the base, such that the volume of the phase changing dielectric fluid is changed and the phase changing dielectric fluid transitions between the first phase with a first dielectric constant and the second phase with a second dielectric constant.

20. The power generator of claim 18, further comprising a circuit that collects electrical energy from the capacitor as the voltage transitions from the first voltage to the second voltage.

21. The power generator of claim 20, wherein the circuit further functions to apply a voltage to the plates when the dielectric fluid is in the first phase.

22. The power generator of claim 18, wherein the first phase is a gas phase and the second phase is a liquid phase.

23. The power generator of claim 22, wherein the ratio of second dielectric constant to first dielectric constant is greater than 5.

24. The power generator of claim 22, wherein the ratio of second dielectric constant to first dielectric constant is greater than 20.

25. The power generator of claim 18, wherein the phase changing dielectric fluid is water.

26. The implantable power generator of claim 19, wherein the base is a substantially rigid surface and the moveable surface comprises a piston head.

27. The power generator of claim 26, wherein the movable surface defines a first chamber and a second chamber within the housing and the capacitor is within the second chamber.

28. The implantable power generator of claim 7, wherein the transducer comprises a capacitor within the chamber, having a first plate and a second plate, wherein the fluid is a dielectric fluid and the plates have a first voltage across them when a first amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate, and have a second voltage across them when a second amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate.

29. The implantable power generator of claim 28, the compressible element comprising a moveable surface and the capacitor further comprising an insulator coupled to the first plate and disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein at least one plate is coupled to the movable surface, and wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element moves the movable surface from a first position toward a second position and displaces the dielectric fluid such that the first amount of the dielectric fluid is greater than the second amount of the dielectric fluid.

30. The implantable power generator of claim 1, the compressible element further comprising a flexible housing and a structural member, coupled to the housing and to the transducer, that transmits a force from the housing to the transducer such that, upon compression of the compressible element, the housing compresses and the structural member applies a tension force to the transducer.

31. The implantable power generator of claim 30, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer, coupled to the structural member, that has a first capacitance in a first thickness and a second capacitance in a second thickness.

32. The implantable power generator of claim 30, the structural member comprising three substantially rigid members, disposed within the housing, wherein upon compression of the compressible element, the housing compresses and the structural member transitions from a triangular arrangement having a first perimeter to a substantially horizontal arrangement having a second perimeter.

33. The implantable power generator of claim 32, wherein the transducer is coupled to the structural member such that upon compression of the compressible element, the structural member applies a tension force to the transducer, such that the transducer transitions from a first perimeter to a second perimeter.

34. The implantable power generator of claim 33, the transducer comprising an electroactive polymer that has a first capacitance in the first perimeter and a second capacitance in the second perimeter.

35. The implantable power generator of claim 1, the transducer comprising a piezoelectric material, such that upon compression of the compressible element, the piezoelectric material flexes.

36. The implantable power generator of claim 1, wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element is generated by the patient applying an external force to the compressible element.

37. The implantable power generator of claim 1, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers are adjacent layers of a muscle of a patient.

38. The implantable power generator of claim 37, wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting.

39. The implantable power generator of claim 37, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers are adjacent layers of tissue within a muscle bundle.

40. The implantable power generator of claim 37, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers are two adjacent muscle bundles.

41. The implantable power generator of claim 1, wherein the first tissue layer is a muscle layer, and the second tissue layer is a firm tissue layer.

42. The implantable power generator of claim 41, wherein the force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting and applying a force to the compressible element against the firm tissue layer.

43. The implantable power generator of claim 1, further comprising a storage device, coupled to the transducer that collects energy generated by the transducer.

44. The implantable power generator of claim 43, wherein the storage device conditions the electrical energy for use by powered device.

45. The implantable power generator of claim 1, further comprising a housing that encloses at least one of the compressible element and the transducer, separating them from the adjacent tissue layers.

46. An implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from within a muscle of a patient to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent muscle layers of the muscle and to be compressed by a pressure generated by the muscle contracting; and

a transducer, coupled to the compressible element, that converts mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy.

47. The implantable power generator of claim 46, the compressible element comprising:

a base adapted and configured to be coupled to the first muscle layer; and

a moveable surface, substantially opposite to the base, adapted and configured to be coupled to the second muscle layer;

wherein the pressure generated by the muscle contracting moves the movable surface with respect to the base.

48. The implantable power generator of claim 46, wherein the compressible element, having a movable surface, defines a chamber and further comprises a dielectric fluid within the chamber.

49. The implantable power generator of claim 48, the transducer comprising a capacitor within the chamber of the housing, the capacitor comprising:

a first and second plate, and

an insulator coupled to the first plate and disposed between the first plate and the second plate, wherein at least one plate is coupled to a movable surface of the housing,

wherein the plates have a first voltage across them when a first amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate, and have a second voltage across them when a second amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate,

wherein the movable surface moves from a first position toward a second position and displaces the dielectric fluid such that the first amount of the dielectric fluid is greater than the second amount of the dielectric fluid.

50. The power generator of claim 49, wherein the movable surface is moved from a first position toward a second position by the pressure generated by the muscle contracting.

51. The power generator of claim 50, wherein upon release of the muscle contraction, a negative pressure is returns the movable surface to the first position.

52. An implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a muscle within a patient to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between a muscle layer and an adjacent firm tissue layer of the patient and to be compressed by a pressure generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer; and

a transducer, coupled to the compressible element, that converts mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy.

53. The implantable power generator of claim 52, the compressible element comprising:

a base adapted and configured to be coupled to the firm tissue layer; and

a moveable surface, substantially opposite to the base, adapted and configured to be coupled to the muscle layer;

wherein the pressure generated by the muscle contracting against the firm tissue layer moves the movable surface with respect to the base.

54. A power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

a housing that defines a chamber;

a phase changing dielectric fluid contained within the chamber of the housing;

a moveable surface, coupled to the housing, that defines the volume of the phase changing dielectric fluid, wherein as the moveable surface moves from a first position toward a second position, the volume of the phase changing dielectric fluid is changed, such that the phase changing dielectric fluid transitions at least in part between a first phase with a first dielectric constant and a second phase with a second dielectric constant; and

a capacitor within the chamber of the housing, the capacitor comprising a first plate and a second plate that define a space between them that contains a portion of the phase changing dielectric fluid, wherein the plates have a first voltage across them when the dielectric fluid is in the first phase and have a second voltage across them when the dielectric fluid is in the second phase.

55. The power generator of claim 54, the housing further comprising a spring element that biases the movable surface toward the first position.

56. The power generator of claim 54, wherein moveable surface comprises a flexible surface.

57. The power generator of claim 54, wherein moveable surface comprises a bellows.

58. The power generator of claim 54, the housing further comprising a base, substantially opposite to the movable surface, wherein the moveable surface moves relative to the base.

59. The power generator of claim 58, wherein the base is adapted and configured to be coupled to a first tissue layer of a patient, and the moveable surface is adapted and configured to be coupled to a second adjacent tissue layer of a patient, wherein a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the housing moves the movable surface with respect to the base and reduces the volume of the chamber.

60. The power generator of claim 59, wherein the first tissue layer is a firm tissue layer, the second tissue layer is a muscle layer, and the force applied to the housing is generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer.

61. The power generator of claim 59, wherein the first and second tissue layers are muscle layers within a muscle and the force applied to the housing is generated by the muscle contracting.

62. The power generator of claim 58, wherein the base is a substantially rigid surface and the moveable surface comprises a piston head.

63. The power generator of claim 62, wherein the movable surface defines first chamber and a second chamber within the housing and the capacitor is within the second chamber.

64. The power generator of claim 54, further comprising a circuit that collects electrical energy from the capacitor as the voltage transitions from the first voltage to the second voltage.

65. The power generator of claim 54, wherein the circuit further functions to apply a voltage to the plates when the dielectric fluid is in the first phase.

66. The power generator of claim 54, wherein the first phase is a gas phase and the second phase is a liquid phase.

67. The power generator of claim 66, wherein the ratio of second dielectric constant to first dielectric constant is greater than 5.

68. The power generator of claim 66, wherein the ratio of second dielectric constant to first dielectric constant is greater than 20.

69. The power generator of claim 54, wherein the first phase is a gas phase and the second phase is a solid phase.

70. The power generator of claim 54, wherein the first phase is a liquid phase and the second phase is a solid phase.

71. The power generator of claim 54, wherein the phase changing dielectric fluid is water.

72. The power generator of claim 54, the plates further comprising a surface treated to facilitate a phase change of the dielectric fluid.

73. The power generator of claim 54, the capacitor further comprising a non-conductive spacer between the plates.

74. The power generator of claim 73, wherein the non-conductive spacer is a porous material disposed between the two plates.

75. A power generator for converting mechanical energy to electrical energy, the generator comprising:

a housing that defines a chamber and comprises a movable surface;

a dielectric fluid contained within the chamber of the housing;

a capacitor within the chamber of the housing, the capacitor comprising;

a first and second plate, and

an insulator coupled to the first plate and disposed between the first plate and the second plate,

wherein at least one plate is coupled to a movable surface of the housing,

wherein the plates have a first voltage across them when a first amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate, and have a second voltage across them when a second amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate;

wherein the movable surface moves from a first position toward a second position and displaces the dielectric fluid such that the first amount of the dielectric fluid is greater than the second amount of the dielectric fluid.

76. The power generator of claim 75, wherein the movable surface moves from a first position toward a second position by a force applied to the housing.

77. The implantable power generator of claim 75, wherein the plates have a first voltage across them when they are positioned a first distance from one another, and have a second voltage across them when they positioned a second distance from one another.

78. The implantable power generator of claim 77, wherein the movable surface moves at least one plate with respect to the other plate such that the plates move from the first distance from one another to the second distance from one another.

79. The implantable power generator of claim 77, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance and the first voltage is greater than the second voltage.

80. The power generator of claim 75, further comprising a circuit that collects electrical energy from the capacitor as the voltage transitions from the second voltage to the first voltage.

81. The power generator of claim 80, wherein the circuit further functions to apply a voltage to the plates when the second amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate.

82. The power generator of claim 75, the housing comprising a flexible membrane.

83. The power generator of claim 75, the housing further comprising a second movable surface.

84. The power generator of claim 75, the housing further comprising a spring element that returns the movable surface to the first position.

85. The power generator of claim 84, the spring element comprising:

a compliant portion coupled to the housing; and

a non-compliant portion, coupled to the compliant portion, wherein the non-compliant portion and the compliant portion define a fluid filled chamber.

86. The power generator of claim 85, wherein as a force is applied to the housing and the movable surface displaces the dielectric fluid, the dielectric fluid moves a portion of the compliant portion into the fluid filled chamber, thereby compressing the fluid in the chamber.

87. The power generator of claim 86, wherein when the force is no longer applied to the housing, the fluid in the chamber moves the portion of the compliant portion out of the fluid filled chamber, thereby replacing dielectric fluid between the insulator and the second plate.

88. The power generator of claim 75, wherein the capacitor has a first capacitance when the first amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate, and has a second capacitance when the second amount of the dielectric fluid is between the insulator and the second plate.

89. The power generator of claim 88, wherein the first capacitance is less than the second capacitance.

90. The power generator of claim 88, wherein the capacitor has the second capacitance when the second plate contacts the insulator.

91. The power generator of claim 75, the first plate defining an aperture through which the dielectric fluid flows.

92. The power generator of claim 75, wherein the dielectric constant of the insulator is higher than the dielectric constant of the dielectric fluid.

93. The power generator of claim 75, the housing further comprising a base, substantially opposite to the movable surface, wherein the moveable surface moves relative to the base.

94. The power generator of claim 93, wherein the base is adapted and configured to be coupled to a first tissue layer of a patient, and the moveable surface is adapted and configured to be coupled to a second adjacent tissue layer of a patient, wherein a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the housing moves the movable surface from the first position toward the second position with respect to the base.

95. The power generator of claim 94, wherein the first tissue layer is a firm tissue layer, the second tissue layer is a muscle layer, and the force applied to the housing is generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer.

96. The power generator of claim 94, wherein the first and second tissue layers are muscle layers within a muscle and the force applied to the housing is generated by the muscle contracting.

97. The power generator of claim 96, wherein upon release of the muscle contraction, a force is applied to the housing that returns the movable surface to the first position.

98. A method for generating power by converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, the method comprising:

positioning a compressible element of an implantable power generator in an anatomical site within the patient, the anatomical site defined by a first tissue layer and a second, opposite tissue layer;

receiving a pressure applied by the two adjacent tissue layers with the compressible element thereby compressing the compressible element; and

converting mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy.

99. The method of claim 98, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element between a firm tissue layer and a muscle layer.

100. The method of claim 99, the receiving step further comprising receiving a pressure generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer.

101. The method of claim 99, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element between a temporalis bone and a temporalis muscle.

102. The method of claim 101, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element such that a surface of the compressible element is supported by the temporal fossa.

103. The method of claim 101, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element through an incision in the patient, such that the structural integrity of the muscle that connects the coronoid process of the mandible to the superior temporalis line is maintained.

104. The method of claim 98, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element between muscle layers within a muscle.

105. The method of claim 104, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element in a temporalis muscle.

106. The method of claim 104, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element in a pectoral muscle.

107. The method of claim 104, the positioning step further comprising positioning the compressible element in a gluteus maximus muscle.

108. The method of claim 104, the receiving step further comprising receiving a pressure generated by the muscle contracting.

109. The method of claim 98, further comprising the step of storing the electrical energy.

110. The method of claim 109, further comprising the step of powering a medical device with the electrical energy.

111. The method of claim 98, the receiving step further comprising moving a movable surface with respect to a base surface of the compressible element, thereby compressing the compressible element.

112. A system for powering a medical device, the system comprising:

an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element, and

a transducer, coupled to the compressible element, that converts mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy;

a storage device that collects electrical energy from the transducer;

a medical device coupled to the storage device that receives electrical energy from the storage device.

113. The system of claim 112, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers comprise a firm tissue layer and a muscle layer and the force applied to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer.

114. The system of claim 112, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers are muscle layers within a muscle and the force applied to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting.

115. The system of claim 112, further comprising a circuit coupled to the transducer that conditions the electrical energy.

116. The system of claim 115, wherein the circuit comprises a diode bridge.

117. The system of claim 115, wherein the circuit comprises a buck boost circuit.

118. The system of claim 112, wherein the storage device is a capacitor.

119. The system of claim 112, wherein the storage device is a battery.

120. The system of claim 112, wherein the storage device provides energy to the medical device continuously.

121. The system of claim 112, further comprising a transmitter that couples the storage device to the medical device and transmits electrical energy from the storage device to the medical device.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the transmitter transforms the electrical energy into a suitable form for transmission to the medical device.

123. The system of claim 121, wherein the transmitter transmits energy from the storage device to the medical device through a wire.

124. The system of claim 121, wherein transmitter comprises an antenna and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

125. The system of claim 121, wherein the transmitter comprises an infrared light source and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of infrared light.

126. The system of claim 121, wherein the transmitter comprises an ultrasound transducer and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of ultrasound.

127. The system of claim 121, wherein the transmitter comprises tissue contact electrodes and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of electricity conducted through the body.

128. The system of claim 112, further comprising a second circuit coupled to the medical device that conditions the electrical energy.

129. The system of claim 112, further comprising a receiver that couples the storage device to the medical device and receives electrical energy from the storage device.

130. The system of claim 129, wherein the receiver comprises an antenna and the receiver receives the energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

131. The system of claim 129, wherein the receiver comprises an infrared light receiver and the receiver receives the energy in the form of infrared light.

132. The system of claim 129, wherein the receiver comprises an ultrasound receiver and the receiver receives the energy in the form of ultrasound.

133. The system of claim 129, wherein the receiver comprises tissue contact electrodes and the receiver receives the energy in the form of electricity conducted through the body.

134. The system of claim 112, further comprising a second storage device, coupled to the medical device that that collects electrical energy from the first storage device.

135. The system of claim 134, wherein the second storage device is a bypass capacitor.

136. The system of claim 112, wherein the medical device is a pulse generator.

137. The system of claim 136, wherein the medical device is a neurostimulator.

138. The system of claim 137, wherein the medical device is sized and configured to be implanted in the head of the patient, adjacent to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG).

139. The system of claim 137, wherein the compressible element is sized and configured to be implanted in the head of the patient, under or within the temporalis muscle.

140. The system of claim 139, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from the storage device to electrically stimulate the SPG.

141. The system of claim 136, wherein the medical device is a pacemaker.

142. The system of claim 141, wherein the medical device is sized and configured to be implanted in the torso of the patient, adjacent to the heart.

143. The system of claim 142, wherein the compressible element is sized and configured to be implanted in the torso of the patient, under or within the pectoral muscle.

144. The system of claim 143, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from the storage device to electrically stimulate the heart.

145. A system for powering a medical device, the system comprising:

an implantable power generator for converting mechanical energy from a patient to electrical energy, the generator comprising;

a compressible element adapted and configured to be placed between two adjacent tissue layers of the patient and to be compressed by a force applied from the two adjacent tissue layers to the compressible element, and

a transducer, coupled to the compressible element, that converts mechanical energy from the compression of the compressible element to electrical energy;

a storage device that collects electrical energy from the transducer;

an auxiliary power supply;

a medical device coupled to at least one of the storage device and the auxiliary power supply that receives electrical energy from at least one of the storage device and the auxiliary power supply.

146. The system of claim 145, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers comprise a firm tissue layer and a muscle layer and the force applied to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting adjacent to the firm tissue layer.

147. The system of claim 145, wherein the two adjacent tissue layers are muscle layers within a muscle and the force applied to the compressible element is generated by the muscle contracting.

148. The system of claim 145, further comprising a circuit coupled to the transducer that conditions the electrical energy.

149. The system of claim 148, wherein the circuit comprises a diode bridge.

150. The system of claim 148, wherein the circuit comprises a buck boost circuit.

151. The system of claim 145, wherein the storage device is a capacitor.

152. The system of claim 145, wherein the storage device is a battery.

153. The system of claim 145, wherein the storage device provides energy to the medical device continuously.

154. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply is a capacitor.

155. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply is a battery.

156. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply provides energy to the medical device continuously.

157. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply is not implanted within the patient.

158. The system of claim 157, wherein the auxiliary power supply provides energy to the medical device when the auxiliary power supply is adjacent to the medical device.

159. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply provides energy to the medical device when medical device requests energy from the auxiliary power supply.

160. The system of claim 145, wherein the auxiliary power supply provides energy to the medical device when medical device requests energy from the storage device, and the storage device does not have sufficient electrical energy to power the medical device.

161. The system of claim 145, further comprising a transmitter that couples the auxiliary power supply to the medical device and transmits electrical energy from the auxiliary power supply to the medical device.

162. The system of claim 161, wherein the transmitter transforms the electrical energy into a suitable form for transmission to the medical device.

163. The system of claim 161, wherein the transmitter transmits energy from the storage device to the medical device through a wire.

164. The system of claim 161, wherein transmitter comprises an antenna and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

165. The system of claim 161, wherein the transmitter comprises an infrared light source and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of infrared light.

166. The system of claim 161, wherein the transmitter comprises an ultrasound transducer and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of ultrasound.

167. The system of claim 161, wherein the transmitter comprises tissue contact electrodes and the transmitter transmits the energy in the form of electricity conducted through the body.

168. The system of claim 145, further comprising a second circuit coupled to the medical device that conditions the electrical energy.

169. The system of claim 145, further comprising a receiver that couples the auxiliary power supply to the medical device and receives electrical energy from the auxiliary power supply.

170. The system of claim 169, wherein the receiver comprises an antenna and the receiver receives the energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation.

171. The system of claim 169, wherein the receiver comprises an infrared light receiver and the receiver receives the energy in the form of infrared light.

172. The system of claim 169, wherein the receiver comprises an ultrasound receiver and the receiver receives the energy in the form of ultrasound.

173. The system of claim 169, wherein the receiver comprises tissue contact electrodes and the receiver receives the energy in the form of electricity conducted through the body.

174. The system of claim 145, further comprising a second storage device, coupled to the medical device that that collects electrical energy from the auxiliary power supply.

175. The system of claim 174, wherein the second storage device is a bypass capacitor.

176. The system of claim 145, wherein the medical device is a pulse generator.

177. The system of claim 176, wherein the medical device is a neurostimulator.

178. The system of claim 177, wherein the medical device is sized and configured to be implanted in the head of the patient, adjacent to the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG).

179. The system of claim 178, wherein the compressible element is sized and configured to be implanted in the head of the patient, under or within the temporalis muscle.

180. The system of claim 179, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from at least one of the storage device and the auxiliary power supply to electrically stimulate the SPG.

181. The system of claim 180, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from the auxiliary power supply when the auxiliary power supply is placed adjacent to the head of the patient.

182. The system of claim 176, wherein the medical device is a pacemaker.

183. The system of claim 182, wherein the medical device is sized and configured to be implanted in the torso of the patient, adjacent to the heart.

184. The system of claim 183, wherein the compressible element is sized and configured to be implanted in the torso of the patient, under or within the pectoral muscle.

185. The system of claim 184, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from at least one of the storage device and the auxiliary power supply to electrically stimulate the heart.

186. The system of claim 185, wherein the medical device receives electrical energy from the auxiliary power supply when the auxiliary power supply is placed adjacent to the heart of the patient.

187. A method for generating power, the method comprising:

positioning a capacitor in a phase changing dielectric fluid contained within a chamber, the capacitor comprising a first plate and a second plate that define a space between them that contains a portion of the phase changing dielectric fluid;

applying a first voltage to at least one of the plates of the capacitor;

changing the phase of the phase changing dielectric fluid such that it transitions at least in part between a first phase with a first dielectric constant and a second phase with a second dielectric constant;

collecting a second voltage from at least one of the plates of the capacitor, wherein the plates of the capacitor have the second voltage across them when the dielectric fluid is in the second phase.

188. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the pressure of the phase changing dielectric fluid such that the phase changing dielectric fluid transitions at least in part between a first phase and a second phase.

189. The method of claim 188, the changing step further comprising applying a mechanical input to change the pressure of the phase changing dielectric fluid.

190. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the temperature of the phase changing dielectric fluid such that the phase changing dielectric fluid transitions at least in part between a first phase and a second phase.

191. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the volume of the phase changing dielectric fluid such that the phase changing dielectric fluid transitions at least in part between a first phase and a second phase.

192. The method of claim 191, the changing step further comprising applying a mechanical input to change the volume of the phase changing dielectric fluid.

193. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising applying an ultrasound signal to the phase changing dielectric fluid to change the phase of the phase changing dielectric fluid.

194. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising applying radiofrequency signal to the phase changing dielectric fluid to change the phase of the phase changing dielectric fluid.

195. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising applying a laser to the phase changing dielectric fluid to change the phase of the phase changing dielectric fluid.

196. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the phase of the dielectric fluid such that it transitions at least in part between a gas phase and a liquid phase.

197. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the phase of the dielectric fluid such that it transitions at least in part between a gas phase and a solid phase.

198. The method of claim 187, the changing step further comprising changing the phase of the dielectric fluid such that it transitions at least in part between a liquid phase and a solid phase.