GB2350302A

GB2350302A - Implanted power generator

Info

Publication number: GB2350302A
Application number: GB9912283A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Demetriou Demetrios
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-26
Filing date: 1999-05-26
Publication date: 2000-11-29
Also published as: GB9912283D0; GB0013121D0

Abstract

A device for generating an electrical supply for a pacemaker or muscle stimulator has a cylinder 10A,10B surrounding an artery or the heart. The space between the artery and the cylinder contains elastic membrane pillows. As the artery pulsates, the pillows pump oil through tubes 13A,13B causing a membrane 15 at the end of a cone 14 to oscillate. The membrane 15 drives a crank 16 connected to a permanent magnet alternator 17. The alternator output voltage is rectified and used to charge a battery.

Description

2350302 Bio-Power This invention relates to an implantable device that

will produce electricity for all the needs of microprocessor applications within the body continuously and non-stop and which could stimulate all necessary muscles in the body and help the disabled people to walk again.

Whv such a device? The power source of the implanted pulse generator (pacemaker), however, requires replacement at regular intervals, generally every four to five years. Most current pacemakers use batteries as a power source, but there has been some exploration of generators energized by radioactive isotopes such as plutonium-238. Having in mind many attempts were made in the past, like, piezoelectric crystals placed in the joints, Radio frequency (R.F) activating an implanted coil to charge a battery. All the above as it is surfacing to the public's knowledge (like for example, mobile phones) encourage cancer growth and a memory loss due radiation heat. A study carried out in Australia by a scientist who had bombarded a tumor with Radio frequency showed an increase of cancer cells. On the other hand when we really want to help the disable people to get back on their feet and to walk again. we need a confinuous power supply, power greater than the pacemaker that consumes in five years to stimulate the muscles of the limbs and arms. The materials for such device must be biocompatible, materials found in cardiovascular and soft tissue applications.

THE INVENTION According to the present invention the pulsation of the heart or artery produces an alternating pressure in a surrounding implanted vessel which drives an alternatorto produce avoltage.

THE PROPOSED DEVICE FOR PRODUCING ELECTRIC POWER WITHIN THE BODY The invention will now be described with the help of illustrative figures below. The device combines the activators, an alternator, the cone, the rectification board, and the battery compartment. Figurel.The activators and their parts Figure2.The cross section of the activators linked together by means of 'longue and groove". Figure3.The alternators top view with the cone. Figure4.The alternator bottom view. Figure5.The complete device Refer to Ficures I to 5.

1 2 THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DEVICE AND OPERATION

The activators are two hemispheric cylinders 1 OA and 1 OB that are encapsulating the artery by means of 'longue and groove". The activator could be made from alumina that has excellent corrosion resistance, good biocompatibility, high wear resistance, and high strength. Each hemispheric cylinder its inner diameter is (10%) bigger than the half artery itself (during dilation). The hemispheric cylinder will only encapsulate the half of the artery. Each of the hemispheric cylinders has a highly elastic membrane pillow 1 1A that is made with biocompatible elastomer and has been shaped to the half of the artery's circumference; it is more described as an empty pillowcase. The elastic membrane pillows need to be flexible avoiding difficulties of implantation and to irritate adjacent tissues, should also remain constant under a wide range of flexing and bending conditions, and the modulus or compliance of the vessel should be similar to that of the natural vessel. To avoid trauma on the artery and loss of its viscoelasticity must be coated with pyrolytic carbon to provide a relatively smooth and, chemically inert surface and must be without pores. Mechanical property must have long- term use, excellent wear and fatigue resistance in order to open and close 80 times per minute. This elastic membrane pillow will cover half the circumference of the artery. The pillow 1 1A is placed along and inner radial of the hemispheric cylinder filling the gap of 10% between the artery and activator. The empty space, which is introduced between the elastic membrane pillowl 1A and the hemispheric cylinder 1 OA, a cannulated biocompatible tube 13A is let out in such way that the pressure flow of the dilated artery goes to the cone 14, which will be described shortly. The elastic membrane pillow of the 11 B will also be attached to the artery itself encapsulating the half of the artery's circumference. The same process is done for the other activator 1 OB; both are encapsulating the whole artery. The activators 1 OA and 1 OB are joined together as "tongue and groove". The elastic membrane pillows 11 A and 11 B are Gannulated together by means of biocompatible tubes 13A and 13B Which are both linked with the cone 14. Please refer also to the figure 2.

The alternator The alternator is a slow speed generator as we are dealing with low frequency of 80 beats per minute at normal heart rate. The diameter of the alternator can be as 10 cm. This will give us adequate voltage and current with permanent strong magnets and it could easily be implanted in the body (Taking the fact that early pacemakers were that size). The alternator on its stator (armature) has the rectification board and the battery compartment. See figure 3.The alternators bottom view.

The Cone To achieve the alternators spin, the biocompatible tubes (filled with light density liquid such as oil) 13A and 13B from the activators is led to the cone 14. The cone's orifice an elastic membrane is placed 15. (From the figure4 is assumed that the elastic membrane has been inflated in two stages sending the slider crank to 80 degrees middle way and at the distance of 160 degrees at full inflation). On the elastic membrane the slider crank 16 is affixed on it connecting thus the alternator 17. See figure 4. The alternator and the cone are also encapsulated in hermetically closed in biocompatible Ceramic porcelain or alumina.

Operation As the pumping of the heart is a non-stop action (80,000 beats per day!), continues its pumping action in two stages relaxing and contracting so does the artery in succession. As the heart contracts and pushes the blood into the aorta and arteries, the artery increases its volume as the 2 3 blood passes through. The dilated artery pushes the elastic membrane pillows of the activator and exerts a force through the tube and the elastic membrane of the cone inflates and consequently pushes the slider crank and rotates the alternators permanent magnet. When the heart relaxes the elastic membrane of the cone and activator come to their original positions. The periodic cycle of the cone's membrane mimics the heart's movements. The operation of the system works like the hydraulics and adjustments should be made to secure maximum efficiency. A closer look of the anatomy of the artery by scan to verify its dimension and dilatation is needed prior to the manufacturing process.

3

Claims

1 The pulsation of the heart or artery produces an alternating pressure in a surrounding implanted vessel, which drives an alternator to produce a voltage.

2. An activator as claimed in claim 1 in which pulsations of the heart and artery produces an alternating pressure in surrounding elastic membrane pillows.

3. An activator as claimed in claims 1 & 2 in which an alternating pressure is used to drive an alternator.

4. An activator as claimed in claims 1 & 2 & 3 in which the low frequency voltage from the alternator is increased

5. An activator as claimed in claims 1 & 2& U 4 in which the voltage at the increased frequency is rectified.

6. An activator as claimed in claims l& 2& U 4& 5 in which the rectified voltage charges the battery.

7. An activator for charging an implanted battery as described herein with reference to figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.