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Self-Powered Cardiac Pacemaker by Piezoelectric Polymer Nanogenerator Implant Publisher



Azimi S1, 2 ; Golabchi A3 ; Nekookar A4 ; Rabbani S5 ; Amiri MH1 ; Asadi K1, 6 ; Abolhasani MM1, 2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Max-Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, Mainz, 55128, Germany
  2. 2. Chemical Engineering Department, University of Kashan, Kashan, 8731753153, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Cardiology, Cardiac Electrophysiology Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, 8715973474, Iran
  4. 4. Animal Core Facility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Animal Biotechnology, ACECR, Tehran, 16635148, Iran
  5. 5. Research Center for Advanced Technologies in Cardiovascular Medicine, Tehran Heart Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1417653761, Iran
  6. 6. Department of Physics, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, United Kingdom

Source: Nano Energy Published:2021


Abstract

Self-powered biomedical implants improve the life of patients and lower the risks associated with battery replacement. Piezoelectric energy harvesters that generate electricity from the cardiac motions are among the potential candidates to be used in self-powered implants, such as cardiac pacemakers. In this context, lead-based ceramic piezoelectric nanogenerators (PNGs) were emerged, which are toxic and susceptible to fatigue crack, causing harm to the patients. Polyvinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE)-based films were also developed as cardiac energy harvesters. Here, we show a battery-free heart pacemaker that is powered by the generated electricity of a biocompatible and flexible piezoelectric polymer-based nanogenerator (PNG) from the cardiac motions of the left ventricle. The PNG is comprised of composite nanofibers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a hybrid nanofiller made of zinc oxide (ZnO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The composite nanofiber is optimized towards achieving a large power output. In vivo implanted optimized PNG can successfully harvest 0.487 μJ from every heartbeat, which is conveniently larger than the pacing threshold energy for the human heart. The successful demonstration of a self-powered pacemaker places the polymer-based PNGs among the viable candidates for self-powered biomedical implants. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
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