A flexible and implantable piezoelectric generator harvesting energy from the pulsation of ascending aorta: in vitro and in vivo studies

The power supply of current implantable electronic devices relies on batteries, which have to be replaced surgically after depletion. In contrast, continuing energy output from human cardiovascular system has not been fully utilized up to now. The goal of the present study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of generating electric power utilizing the pulsating energy of ascending aorta with a flexible and implantable piezoelectric generator (PG).192