Muscle energy converter with smooth continuous tissue interface
First Claim
1. A converter for converting contractile work of skeletal muscles into transportable energy, comprising:
- a relatively stationary end and a mobile end opposite the relatively stationary end and adapted to be connected to a skeletal muscle for movement of the mobile end relative to the relatively stationary end;
at least one pair of tension elements operatively positioned between the mobile and stationary ends of the converter, the tension elements arranged in a serpentine pattern defining pairs of points of a first distance between the tension elements, and pairs of points of a second distance between the tension elements, the first distance being greater than the second distance;
at least one piezoelectric crystal disposed between the tension elements, the at least one piezoelectric crystal adapted to convert the relative movement of the mobile end into transportable energy; and
at least one energy conduit associated with the relatively stationary end for delivering the transportable energy to a power-consuming device implanted in a body.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device and corresponding method for converting the contractile work of skeletal muscles into transportable energy. The device may comprise a converter having a mobile end adapted to be connected to a skeletal muscle, a relatively stationary end opposite the mobile end; one or more energy processing units operatively connected to the mobile and stationary ends of the converter, with each energy processing unit adapted to convert tensile forces generated by contraction of the skeletal muscle into transportable energy; and one or more energy conduits such as electrical wires associated with the relatively stationary end of the converter for delivering the transportable energy to power-consuming devices implanted in a body. The device may further comprise a relatively stationary end that is operatively connected to a body structure that is stationary relative to the skeletal muscle.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A converter for converting contractile work of skeletal muscles into transportable energy, comprising:
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a relatively stationary end and a mobile end opposite the relatively stationary end and adapted to be connected to a skeletal muscle for movement of the mobile end relative to the relatively stationary end; at least one pair of tension elements operatively positioned between the mobile and stationary ends of the converter, the tension elements arranged in a serpentine pattern defining pairs of points of a first distance between the tension elements, and pairs of points of a second distance between the tension elements, the first distance being greater than the second distance; at least one piezoelectric crystal disposed between the tension elements, the at least one piezoelectric crystal adapted to convert the relative movement of the mobile end into transportable energy; and at least one energy conduit associated with the relatively stationary end for delivering the transportable energy to a power-consuming device implanted in a body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification