Biogenerator constructed using live cell cultures

Abstract

An apparatus (or a biogenerator) is disclosed which utilizes the electrochemical polarization of epithelial cells to generate electricity. The apparatus employs living cells to convert chemical energy into electricity. The biogenerator is capable of supplying electricity to other devices continuously for extended periods of time. Because the apparatus may be made sufficiently small for implantation into the body of an animal or a human, such an apparatus is particularly useful for powering devices that require implantation into the host body.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one cell culture chamber wherein live cells are maintained and grown; and   a means for harnessing the voltage and electrical current generated by the live cells, said means being connected with said cell culture chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means further comprises one anode and one cathode. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cell culture chamber comprises more than one layer, each layer is constructed of or covered with a coating material to support cell attachment. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the coating material is selected from the group consisting of collagen, poly-l-lysine, polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, polypyrrole and poly(p-phenylenediamine). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the live cells are grown as monolayer on each layer. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the live cells are a derivative of epithelial cells. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the live cells are separated by tight junctions between adjacent cells. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein permeability of tight junctions to sodium or other ions is regulated by the cells. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the live cells are capable of generating a transcellular voltage potential and an ionic current. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the transcellular voltage potential is generated through cross-membrane transport of ions by the live cells. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the live cells are immortal. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein growth of the live cells is supported by growth medium contained within the cell culture chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the medium is introduced to the chamber through ports of high electrical resistance to prevent electrical short circuiting of the individual biogenerator cell layers. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 1  that is implanted in the body of a host. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the growth of the live cells is supported by nutrients provided by the host. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  wherein nutrients are introduced from the host to the chamber through ports of high electrical resistance to prevent electrical short circuiting of the individual biogenerator cell layers. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the cell culture chamber is separated by a barrier from the tissue environment of the host to reduce immune rejections by the implantation host. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the live cells have been manipulated to produce ion pumps on one side of the cells and ion channels on the other side of the cells. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein foreign genes have been introduced into the live cells. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one cell culture chamber wherein live cells are maintained and grown;   said cell culture chamber comprising a stack of at least two layers;   said live cells being grown as epithelial polarized monolayer on each layer; and   a means for harnessing the voltage and electrical current generated by the live cells, said means being connected with said cell culture chamber.   
     
     
         21 . A method of using an apparatus as power supply, said apparatus comprising:
 at least one cell culture chamber wherein live cells are maintained and grown;   said cell culture chamber comprising at least two layers;   said live cells being grown as an epithelial monolayer on each layer; and   a means for harnessing the voltage and electrical current generated by the live cells, said means being connected with said cell culture chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein said apparatus provides electric power to an electronic device. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the electronic device is implanted in a host such as an animal or a human. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the electronic device is a sensor to monitor one or more vital signs of the host. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of a pacemaker, a glucose monitor, an EKG monitor, and a sense-enhancing device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the host has been manipulated to reduce immune rejections of the implanted apparatus by the host. 
     
     
         27 . A system comprising:
 the apparatus of  claim 1  operably coupled with an electronic device for the supply of power thereto.