Applicability and Feasibility of Incorporating Microbial Fuel Cell Technology into Implantable Biomedical Devices

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been shown to efficiently generate electricity from organic compounds and to serve as a method for waste treatment. Another possible application for this technology that has currently gained little attention is to generate power within the human body. Numerous implanted biomedical devices require power that is generally supplied by batteries with a finite life, necessitating another surgery to replace the power source. A method for continuously generating electricity within the body would revolutionize biomedical devices and enhance patient care. This paper examines the feasibility of applying microbial fuel cell technology to the areas of glucose sensing and cardiac pacing and discusses the problems that will likely be encountered. Due to the large number of variables that impact MFC power output, this technology is not likely to replace enzymatic glucose sensors currently in use. However, a well designed system implanted into the large intestines could provide adequate power for cardiac pacing, operate in continuous flow, utilize the natural flora of microbes, and take up less than 10% of the length of the large intestine.

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