Implantable Cardiac Motion Powered Piezoelectric Energy Source

Abstract

Implantable cardiac motion powered piezoelectric energy sources are provided. Aspects of the subject implantable energy sources they include a piezoelectric transducer that converts cardiac mechanical energy to electrical energy. The subject energy sources find use in a variety of applications, including providing power to a wide range of implantable devices.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
   
   
       38 . An implantable cardiac motion powered energy source comprising:
 (a) a piezolectric transducer that converts cardiac mechanical motion into electrical energy and comprises:
 a piezoelectric beam element; 
 (ii) a proof mass at one end of the beam element; and 
 (iii) a clamp element at another end of the beam element; and 
   (b) a storage element coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to store electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric transducer;   wherein the cardiac motion powered energy source has a natural frequency that is matched to cardiac motion and is dimensioned to be implanted at a cardiac location.   
   
   
       39 . The implantable motion powered energy source according to  claim 38 , wherein the cardiac location is a heart chamber. 
   
   
       40 . The implantable cardiac motion powered energy source according to  claim 38 , wherein the natural frequency ranges from about 50 to about 1000 Hz. 
   
   
       41 . The implantable cardiac motion powered energy source according to  claim 40 , wherein the natural frequency ranges from about 100 to about 300 Hz. 
   
   
       42 . The implantable cardiac motion powered energy source according to  claim 38 , wherein the piezoelectric beam element is folded. 
   
   
       43 . The implantable cardiac motion powered energy source according to  claim 38 , wherein the clamp element is attached to the inside of a housing so that the energy source is sealed inside of a housing. 
   
   
       44 . The implantable cardiac motion powered energy source according to  claim 38 , wherein the housing comprises mechanical stops configured to limit the range of motion of the proof mass. 
   
   
       45 . A system comprising:
 an implantable medical device; and   an implantable cardiac motion powered energy in electrical communication with the implantable medical device, wherein the implantable cardiac motion powered energy source comprises:
 (a) a piezolectric transducer that converts cardiac mechanical motion into electrical energy and comprises:
 (i) a piezoelectric beam element; 
 (ii) a proof mass at one end of the beam element; and 
 (iii) a clamp element at another end of the beam element; and 
 
 (b) a storage element coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to store electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric transducer; 
   wherein the cardiac motion powered energy source has a natural frequency that is matched to cardiac motion and is dimensioned to be implanted at a cardiac location.   
   
   
       46 . The system according to  claim 45 , wherein the implantable medical device is a cardiac stimulation device. 
   
   
       47 . The system according to  claim 46 , wherein the cardiac stimulation device is a lead. 
   
   
       48 . A method comprising:
 producing electrical energy from cardiac mechanical energy with an implantable cardiac motion powered energy source that is positioned at a cardiac location, wherein the implantable cardiac motion powered energy source comprises:
 (a) a piezolectric transducer that converts cardiac mechanical motion into electrical energy and comprises:
 (i) a piezoelectric beam element; 
 (ii) a proof mass at one end of the beam element; and 
 (iii) a clamp element at another end of the beam element; and 
 
 (b) a storage element coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to store electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric transducer;
 wherein the cardiac motion powered energy source has a natural frequency that is matched to cardiac motion and is dimensioned to be implanted at the cardiac location; and 
 
   powering an implantable medical device in electrical communication with the implantable cardiac motion powered energy source with energy produced by the implantable cardiac motion powered energy source.   
   
   
       49 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the method further comprises storing electrical energy produced by the implantable cardiac motion powered energy source in an energy storage element that is coupled to the piezoelectric transducer and configured to store electrical energy produced by the piezoelectric transducer. 
   
   
       50 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the cardiac location is present in a human body. 
   
   
       51 . The method according to  claim 50 , wherein the cardiac location is a ventricular location. 
   
   
       52 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the implanted medical device comprises a cardiac stimulation element. 
   
   
       53 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the implanted medical device comprises an element for sensing cardiac wall movement. 
   
   
       54 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the implanted medical device comprises a processing element. 
   
   
       55 . The method according to  claim 48 , wherein the method further comprises implanting the implantable motion powered energy source into a cardiac location of a subject. 
   
   
       56 . The method according to  claim 55 , wherein the subject is a human. 
   
   
       57 . The method according to  claim 56 , wherein the cardiac location is a heart chamber. 
   
   
       58 . The method according to  claim 57 , wherein said heart chamber is a left ventricle.