Conceptual 3D model of a bio-mechanically driven microgenerator for medical implants.
The service life of most implantable electronic devices is restricted to the energy content of their batteries, which need to be constantly recharged or replaced by surgery. The relief to this problem and the realization of highly advanced medical implants calls for long-lasting in-body energy sources. At UofW I proposed a new approach to produce electrical power for medical implants that takes advantage of the natural movements of the human body to drive an electromagnetic induction MEMS generator. The device was designed for use in cardiac pacemakers to replace conventional batteries. In the system, an asymmetrical planar rotor with embedded NdFeB micromagnets in alternate-polarities oscillates around a shaft due to the motion of the body. The oscillation induces a current in two microfabricated coils embedded in two stators. The microgenerator did not required any external supply of fluid, as needed by some other types of rotary microgenerators. As part of this technology I presented a novel magnetization method to produce alternate-polarity micromagnets and a nanoparticle based solid lubrication system to minimize wear and energy losses.
The service life of most implantable electronic devices is restricted to the energy content of their batteries, which need to be constantly recharged or replaced by surgery. The relief to this problem and the realization of highly advanced medical implants calls for long-lasting in-body energy sources. At UofW I proposed a new approach to produce electrical power for medical implants that takes advantage of the natural movements of the human body to drive an electromagnetic induction MEMS generator. The device was designed for use in cardiac pacemakers to replace conventional batteries. In the system, an asymmetrical planar rotor with embedded NdFeB micromagnets in alternate-polarities oscillates around a shaft due to the motion of the body. The oscillation induces a current in two microfabricated coils embedded in two stators. The microgenerator did not required any external supply of fluid, as needed by some other types of rotary microgenerators. As part of this technology I presented a novel magnetization method to produce alternate-polarity micromagnets and a nanoparticle based solid lubrication system to minimize wear and energy losses.