Apparatus and method for supplying power to subcutaneously implanted devices
First Claim
1. A method of generating electric power for subcutaneously implanted devices, comprising:
- encircling a blood vessel with a mechano-electric transducer; and
converting mechanical energy generated from an expansion and contraction of a blood vessel to electric energy.
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Abstract
A power source providing electric power to subcutaneously implanted devices capture mechanical energy from the expansion and contraction of a cross-section of a blood vessel during a systolic-diastolic blood pressure cycle include a mechano-electric transducer assembly mechanically coupled to involuntarily moving tissue. The transducer includes a deformable inner element and a substantially rigid outer structure positioned outward of the elastic inner element. A transducer element disposed between the substantially rigid outer structure and the inner element is operable to generate electric energy and output the electric energy to a pair of output terminals. A deformable biocompatible envelope substantially surrounds the outer structure, the inner element and the transducer element.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of generating electric power for subcutaneously implanted devices, comprising:
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encircling a blood vessel with a mechano-electric transducer; and converting mechanical energy generated from an expansion and contraction of a blood vessel to electric energy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A power source for converting mechanical power into electrical power comprises at least one mechano-electric transducer assembly mechanically coupled to involuntarily moving tissue, the mechano-electric transducer assembly including:
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a deformable inner elastic structure configured to expand in response to an expansion of a blood vessel; a substantially rigid outer structure positioned outward of the inner element; a mechano-electric transducer element disposed between the substantially rigid outer structure and the inner element, the mechano-electric transducer element operable to generate electric energy and output the electric energy to a pair of output terminals; and a deformable biocompatible envelope encasing the outer structure, the inner element and the mechano-electric transducer element; wherein the inner element is operable to expand outward towards the outer structure during a systolic period, the expansion of the inner element operable to cause the mechano-electric transducer element to generate electricity. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A device for converting mechanical power into electrical power comprising at least one mechano-electric transducer assembly arranged to be mechanically coupled to involuntarily moving tissue, the mechano-electric transducer assembly includes:
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a substantially rigid outer structure; a deformable inner element; a mechano-electric transducer element disposed between the substantially rigid outer structure and the inner element, the mechano-electric transducer element operable to generate electric energy and output the electric energy to a pair of output terminals; and a deformable biocompatible envelope substantially surrounding the outer structure, the inner element and the mechano-electric transducer element; wherein the inner element is operable to apply a predetermined pressure on a substantially surrounded blood vessel during a diastolic period and to expand outward towards the outer structure during a systolic period, the expansion of the inner element operable to cause the mechano-electric transducer element to generate electricity; and wherein the mechano-electric transducer element includes; a multi-plate capacitor including of a first set of conductive plates interleaved with a second set of conductive plates; and a high dielectric coefficient material movable within a space between the first and second sets of plates.
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Specification