Energy harvester for an implant device

A method of implanting an implant apparatus into a mammal, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing an implant apparatus comprising:
• an implant device having an electrode lead for implantation into body;
• an energy harvester comprising a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy;
• and
• at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device,
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted to provide a signal feed output that is sent from the electrical generator to the implant device along the at least one electrical connection, and the implant device is adapted to process the signal feed output,
• wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component;
• and
• wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively;
• and
• (b) implanting at least a part of the pressure responsive device, and the electrode lead into the body in a common catheterisation step.

An implant apparatus for implantation into a mammal, the implant apparatus comprising:

• an implant device having an electrode lead for implantation into a body;
• an energy harvester comprising a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy;
• and
• at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device and a signal feed output to be processed by the implant device,
• wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component,
• wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively.

An implant device for implantation into a mammal, the implant device comprising:

• a cardiac device having an electrode lead for implantation into a body;
• a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy;
• at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device and a signal feed output to be processed by the implant device;
• and
• at least one sensor associated with the electrode lead, the at least one sensor being adapted to monitor at least one parameter of a patient's blood biochemistry,
• wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component,
• wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively.

An implant device for implantation into a mammal, the implant device comprising:

• a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy and to output a signal that is representative of pressure changes within a body of the mammal,
• a cardiac device having an electrode lead for implantation into a body;
• and
• at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device, and wherein the cardiac device is adapted to receive the signal,
• wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component,
• wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively.

A method of operating an implant apparatus that is implanted into a mammal, the implant apparatus having a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy and to output a signal that is representative of pressure changes within a body of the mammal, a cardiac device having an electrode lead for implantation into a body;

• and at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device, and wherein the cardiac device is adapted to receive the signal, wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component, wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively;
• the method including:
• processing a signal output from the electrical generator that is representative of the pressure changes within the body of the mammal to determine a physiological condition of the body.

An implant apparatus for implantation into a mammal, the implant apparatus comprising:

• a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy;
• the pressure responsive device comprising at least two pressure-deformable portions and a pressure transmission conduit therebetween,
• wherein the electrical generator forms part of the transmission conduit, is located between the pressure-deformable portions, and comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, and
• wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component, and
• wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively.