Implantable Hydrogen Generator With Semi-Permeable Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering hydrogen and oxygen for therapeutic or physiological purposes face challenges in effectively producing and supplying these molecules in situ within the body, particularly in areas with insufficient oxygenation.
Innovation Solution
A device implanted in the body with integrated electrodes and a semi-permeable material to produce hydrogen and/or oxygen using an electrical energy source, where the electrodes form an anode and cathode, allowing for localized electrolysis of water or carbohydrate oxidation to generate the desired gases, with a semi-permeable membrane controlling the chemical species and preventing harmful reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydrogen and oxygen are delivered through conventional methods (inhalation, oral ingestion, diffusion), then these molecules can be supplied to the body, but the delivery efficiency and localization to specific tissues is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses body fluids (blood, interstitial fluid) as the electrolyte source, eliminating the need for external electrolyte supply. The system self-replenishes its operational medium from the surrounding biological environment, enabling continuous localized production without external intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary between the electrodes and the body tissues. This membrane selectively transports ions and molecules while preventing direct contact between electrodes and tissues, enabling controlled localized delivery of hydrogen and oxygen to specific tissue regions.
2Productivity
If electrodes are directly exposed to body medium, then electrochemical reactions can occur, but harmful reactions and electrode contamination decrease device reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The semi-permeable membrane serves as a protective intermediary layer that allows ionic transport for electrochemical reactions while preventing direct contact between electrodes and complex body fluids. This eliminates harmful side reactions and prevents contamination of electrode surfaces, maintaining long-term device reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin semi-permeable film encapsulates the electrodes, providing mechanical protection while maintaining ionic conductivity. This flexible barrier prevents protein adsorption and biological fouling on electrode surfaces, preserving electrochemical performance in the physiological environment.
3Reliability
If a semi-permeable membrane is introduced to separate electrodes from body medium, then harmful reactions are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex rigid enclosures, a thin flexible semi-permeable film provides the necessary separation and protection. This simplifies the device structure while maintaining reliability, as the membrane can be directly integrated with the electrode surface without requiring additional housing or mounting mechanisms.
4Productivity
If high voltage (at least 1.3 V) is applied to hydrolyse water, then hydrogen and oxygen can be produced, but energy consumption increases compared to enzymatic methods
Solution Approach 1:
The system can operate in different modes by changing the applied voltage parameter: at voltages ≥1.3 V for high-rate water electrolysis when rapid gas production is needed, and at lower voltages (~0.3 V) when enzymatic glucose oxidation is sufficient and energy conservation is prioritized. This flexible parameter control optimizes the balance between productivity and energy consumption.
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
Enables the localized production and delivery of hydrogen and oxygen within the body, enhancing oxygenation in tissues and potentially improving therapeutic outcomes by maintaining a closed electrical circuit with body fluids and preventing electrode contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The cathode is able to produce hydrogen by proton reduction
Implementation Method 2
the anode is able to produce oxygen or oxidation products (gluconic acid, for example), according to the chemical species available at the anode
Implementation Method 3
The semi-permeable material can in particular be a piece of solid material, a membrane, flexible by nature, or a covering on the electrode (coating)... the cutoff threshold of the semi-permeable material can be chosen to select the molecules that are desired to be presented at the anode and/or at the cathode
Implementation Method 4
The device further comprises a semi-permeable material (or filtering) separating the electrodes from the body medium. Advantageously, the device allows a body liquid to pass that will form the electrolyte, making it possible to close the electrical circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A device intended to be implanted in a human or animal body, in order to produce hydrogen in situ from molecules present in the body medium in which the device is implanted, this device having an anode and a cathode, which are each electrically connected to a pole of an electrical energy source, and having a semi-permeable material separating the electrodes from the body medium, in which device, when the connection to the electrical energy source is effective in situ, in the presence of body fluid, a closed electrical circuit is formed, with production of hydrogen at the cathode, the semi-permeable material having a cutoff threshold of between 50 and 500 Da.