Performance of piezoelectric micropumps actuated by charge recovery

Abstract The German Artificial Sphincter System (GASS) aims at the development of an implantable device intended for the treatment of fecal or urinary incontinence. The core of the system is a piezoactuated silicon micropump that is able to pressurize/depressurize a cuff prosthesis. Our group has developed advanced piezoactuators and electronic driving circuits in order to reduce the power consumption of our system. In this paper we present our results regarding the performance of a charge recovery driver in comparison with a conventional driver. We have achieved a similar mechanical performance of the pump while cutting power consumption by more than 50%.