A single chamber microbial fuel cell as power supply for implantable medical devices

Abstract

This analyze applies a fresh approach to deliver continuing and protective power for implantable medical devices (IMDs) employing a microbial fuel cell (MFC) which was considered to be placed in human large intestine and could employ intestinal fluid and microorganisms to generate power. Based on the anatomic physique and internal ambient circumstances of large intestine, transverse colon was selected to be the adequate position for the implantation of MFC. The operation of the MFC which approximated the surrounding factors of transverse colon by managing dissolved oxygen (DO) and pH and was inoculated with approximated intestinal fluid (SIF) was analyzed. Consistent power generation of MFC was acquired after couple of months conduct with open circuit voltage (OCV) of 550.2 mV, maximum power density of 72.3mW/m2, and average voltage output of 305mV(with external resistance of 200). Additionally, the changes of circumstances in the single chamber of MFC did not have a notable impact on human body based on the analysis of pH and DO values. Likewise analyzes on internal resistance and power density showed that the MFC could drive power of 59mW according to the size of intestinal area, which was sufficient for IMDs. These consequence shows that MFCs located in large intestine could be a good power source for IMDs.