Triboelectric energy generators for self-powered medical implants
Towards the first generation of energy autonomous neural interfaces for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS)
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
As of 2020, there were about 125,000 VNS devices implanted worldwide.
The demand for VNS is witnessing a surge primarily due to the rising prevalence of neurological diseases such as epilepsy migraine, depression, and others.
Estimated first battery replacement rates were 16%, 42% and 47% after 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Epilepsy Research 2024, 203 (107383).
Triboelectric generators offer a promising avenue for sustainable energy harvesting and advanced sensing technologies. TENGs are particularly attractive for powering small electronic devices, especially in applications where battery replacement is inconvenient or impractical.
THE PROBLEM
As of 2020, there were about 125,000 VNS devices implanted worldwide.
The demand for VNS is witnessing a surge primarily due to the rising prevalence of neurological diseases such as epilepsy migraine, depression, and others.
THE PROBLEM
Estimated first battery replacement rates were 16%, 42% and 47% after 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Epilepsy Research 2024, 203 (107383).
THE PROBLEM
Triboelectric generators offer a promising avenue for sustainable energy harvesting and advanced sensing technologies. TENGs are particularly attractive for powering small electronic devices, especially in applications where battery replacement is inconvenient or impractical.
THE TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
TRIBOELECTRIC NANOGENERATORS (TENGs)
TENGs devices are able to convert mechanical perturbation into electrical energy. TENG mechanism consists of repetitive touch and release cycles of two materials, resulting in energy conversion, thanks to the combined effect of contact electrification and electrostatic induction.
NEURAL INTERFACES FOR VNS
Outstanding properties of nanoporous graphene have enabled our thin-film microelectronic technology, overcoming the limitations of existing materials used for neural interfacing and allowing for a new generation miniaturized VNS implants, with lower power requirements and increased treatment efficiency.