Implantable Energy-Harvesting Devices.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Sustainable operation of implantable medical electronics (IMEs) is crucial for healthcare.
• Limited battery capacity poses a significant challenge for current IMEs.
• The human body possesses abundant mechanical and chemical energy sources suitable for harvesting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review various in vivo energy harvesting (IVEH) methods for powering IMEs.
• To discuss fabrication, energy output, power management, durability, and applications of IVEHs.
• To highlight future challenges and perspectives in the field of IVEHs.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on IVEHs.
• Analysis of energy harvesting mechanisms including piezoelectric, triboelectric, biofuel cells, and others.
• Discussion of studies involving IVEHs implanted in living organisms.

Main Results:

• Multiple IVEH technologies are available, utilizing diverse energy sources like motion and biochemical reactions.
• Fabrication, energy output, power management, and durability vary significantly across different IVEH methods.
• Successful implantation and operation of IVEHs in animal models have been demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• In vivo energy harvesting presents a promising solution for sustainable power in IMEs.
• Further research is needed to optimize energy output, long-term durability, and clinical translation of IVEHs.
• IVEHs implanted in living subjects represent a key advancement in powering next-generation medical implants.