Self-rechargeable cardiac pacemaker system with triboelectric nanogenerators

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Energy Harvesting

Background:

• Implantable medical devices require reliable power sources to avoid frequent surgeries.
• Current power solutions for implantable devices are often insufficient or inconvenient.
• Biomechanical energy harvesting offers a promising alternative for self-powered devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance, compact energy harvester for implantable devices.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of powering medical devices using body motion.
• To create a self-rechargeable cardiac pacemaker system.

Main Methods:

• Designed and fabricated a five-stacked inertia-driven triboelectric nanogenerator (I-TENG) in a coin battery size.
• Tested the I-TENG's energy conversion efficiency from mechanical motion and gravity.
• Integrated the I-TENG with a cardiac pacemaker for preclinical testing.

Main Results:

• The I-TENG achieved an energy conversion output of 4.9 μW/cm³ (RMS).
• Successfully harvested energy from body motion, monitored via Bluetooth.
• Demonstrated the ability to charge a lithium-ion battery and power a pacemaker.
• Confirmed the self-rechargeable pacemaker's ventricle pacing and sensing capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The developed I-TENG is a viable solution for powering implantable medical devices.
• This technology can lead to self-rechargeable pacemakers and other implantable systems.
• Reduces the need for invasive surgeries, improving patient outcomes.