System for powering devices from intraluminal pressure changes

• US 9,631,610 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2009
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Science Fund, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Deep Science LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Leuthardt, Eric C., Smith, Michael A., Wood, Victoria Y. H., Wood, Jr., Lowell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/462,796
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,818 Days
• Field of Search: 290 1 R, 290 10, 607 35, 600 16
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/04 using pressure differences or thermal differences occurring in nature F03G7/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for utilizing power extracted from intraluminal pressure changes may comprise: (a) an intraluminal generator; (b) an intraluminal pressure change-receiving structure operably coupled to the intraluminal generator; and (c) a power utilization device. A system for utilizing power extracted from intraluminal pressure changes may comprise: (a) means for receiving an intraluminal pressure change; (b) means for converting an intraluminal pressure change into energy with an intraluminal generator; and (c) means for providing, the energy to a power utilization device.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator, the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator configured for disposal in a lumen of a body;

a deformable intraluminal pressure change-receiving structure operably coupled to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator; and

a power utilization device, at least a portion of the power utilization device is configured for disposal at least one of intraluminally or extraluminally,

wherein the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator generates electricity in response to deformation of the deformable intraluminal pressure change-receiving structure,

wherein the power utilization device comprises a power utilization device operably coupled to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator, and

wherein the power utilization device operably coupled to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator comprises a power utilization device operably coupled to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator via an acoustical coupling.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an at least partially intraluminal power utilization device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device operably coupled to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator comprises:

an at least partially extraluminal power utilization device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a power utilization device disposed in a first lumen configured to receive energy from the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator disposed in a second lumen.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a power utilization device in a distal configuration with respect to the anatomical intraluminal piezoelectric generator.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an ex vivo power utilization device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an insulin pump.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a neural stimulation electrode.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a pharmaceutical dispenser.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a chemical sensor.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device further comprises:

a pH sensor.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a blood sugar monitor.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an electromagnetic sensor.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an optical source.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an optical sensor.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

an ultrasonic source.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein power utilization device comprises:

an ultrasonic sensor.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a processor.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a memory storage device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device comprises:

a communication device.

21. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device further comprises:

a pressure sensor.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device further comprises:

a flow sensor.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the power utilization device further comprises:

a flow modulation device.

24. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy storage apparatus.

25. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an energy configuration mechanism.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the energy configuration mechanism comprises:

an electrical power convertor.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the energy configuration mechanism comprises:

a switched mode power convertor.