Powering implanted electronic medical devices — like a pacemaker — with solar cells placed under the skin is mathematically feasible, according to new research published in the journal Annals of Biomedical Engineering.
To determine the viability of solar-powered medical implants, researchers created solar devices to measure the output power being generated. The solar cells were 3.6 square centimeters in size and were worn by 32 volunteers in Switzerland for one week during summer, autumn and winter. The devices were covered with optical filters designed to simulate skin to mimic implantation. In all seasons, the cells collected enough solar energy to generate much more than the 5 to 10 microwatts of power that a typical cardiac pacemaker uses.
Currently, devices like pacemakers are battery-powered, which can require implant replacement procedures that carry the risk of medical complications.
"The overall mean power obtained is enough to completely power for example a pacemaker or at least extend the lifespan of any other active implant," said lead author Lukas Bereuter of Bern University Hospital and the University of Bern in Switzerland. "By using energy-harvesting devices such as solar cells to power an implant, device replacements may be avoided and the device size may be reduced dramatically."
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