An implantable, stimulated-muscle-powered piezoelectric active energy harvesting generator was previously designed to exploit
the fact that the mechanical output power of muscle is substantially greater than the electrical power necessary to stimulate
the muscle’s motor nerve. We reduced to practice the concept by building a prototype generator and stimulator. We demonstrated
its feasibility
in vivo, using rabbit quadriceps to drive the generator. The generated power was sufficient for self-sustaining operation of the
stimulator and additional harnessed power was dissipated through a load resistor. The prototype generator was developed and
the power generating capabilities were tested with a mechanical muscle analog.
In vivo generated power matched the mechanical muscle analog, verifying its usefulness as a test-bed for generator development. Generator
output power was dependent on the muscle stimulation parameters. Simulations and
in vivo testing demonstrated that for a fixed number of stimuli/minute, two stimuli applied at a high frequency generated greater
power than single stimuli or tetanic contractions. Larger muscles and circuitry improvements are expected to increase available
power. An implanted, self-replenishing power source has the potential to augment implanted battery or transcutaneously powered
electronic medical devices.
Keywords Piezoelectric energy conversion - Mechanical muscle power - Electrical stimulation - Rabbit