Implantable Biofuel Cell Assembly for Self-Charging Spinal Stimulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal cord stimulation devices rely on implanted batteries that require recharging and replacement, posing challenges for continuous operation and patient comfort, especially since they cannot harness energy from biological fluids like cerebrospinal fluid.
Innovation Solution
Development of implantable biofuel cells integrated with medical devices that convert biochemical energy from substances like glucose or lactate in cerebrospinal fluid into electrical energy, enabling self-charging and continuous operation without the need for battery replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional battery-powered spinal cord stimulation devices are used, then continuous operation is achieved, but the devices require periodic recharging and replacement which compromises patient comfort and operational continuity
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell device harvests energy autonomously from biochemical substrates (glucose, lactate) present in the surrounding biological environment, eliminating the need for external recharging or replacement. The device serves itself by continuously converting environmental chemical energy into electrical energy to power spinal cord stimulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the energy source parameter from stored chemical energy (batteries) to continuous environmental chemical energy (biochemical substrates in tissue fluid). This parameter change enables indefinite operation without interruption for recharging or replacement.
2Power
If implantable batteries are used for spinal cord stimulation, then continuous energy supply is provided, but the batteries cannot harness energy from biological fluids and require replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell device performs multiple functions: it generates electrical power for spinal cord stimulation and simultaneously harvests energy from various biochemical substrates (glucose, lactate) present in the biological environment. This multi-functionality eliminates the limitation of battery devices that cannot utilize environmental energy sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The device autonomously harvests energy from the surrounding biological environment by converting biochemical substrates into electrical energy, making the system self-sufficient and adaptable to the biological milieu without requiring external energy supply or replacement.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If battery replacement is required for continuous operation, then energy supply is maintained, but operational interruptions and patient discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell device enables continuous energy generation by continuously harvesting biochemical substrates from the environment. The useful action of energy production never interrupts, as the device constantly converts available chemical energy into electrical power without requiring stops for recharging or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device continuously powers itself by autonomously converting environmental biochemical energy into electrical energy, eliminating all time losses associated with battery replacement and ensuring uninterrupted spinal cord stimulation operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The biofuel cells effectively generate electrical pulses for spinal cord stimulation, reducing chronic neuropathic pain and providing a sustainable energy source that recharges naturally, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional battery-powered devices.
Implementation Method 1
a functionalization material including a catalyst to facilitate conversion of a substance in the biological fluid to a first product in an oxidative process that releases electrons captured at the first electrode
Implementation Method 2
a catalytic material to reduce an oxygenated substance in the biological fluid to a second product in a chemical reduction process in which the second product gains electrons
Implementation Method 3
the catheter is configured to generate electrical pulses to stimulate a spinal cord of the patient based on electrochemical reactions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for implantable a biofuel cells. In some aspects, a biofuel cell device for extracting energy from a biological fluid includes a substrate including two compartments each with one or more openings; an anode assembly disposed in the substrate and including an anode electrode and functionalization material to facilitate an oxidative process that releases electrons captured at the anode electrode; and a cathode assembly disposed in the substrate separated from the anode assembly and including a catalytic material facilitate a chemical reduction process such that the biofuel cell device extracts electrical energy from the substance in the biological fluid.