Glucose Can Supply Energy to Implanted Devices
By: May Smith
About the Author
May Smith is a webmaster who manages a website about record keeping
(ArticlesBase SC #3052074)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ -
Glucose is a compound that is naturally found in the body. It supplies energy for the body and now, it is found to be capable of generating significant amount of energy that could possibly, if further improved, supply energy for implanted devices. This discovery is very significant to medical device suppliers (like pacemaker and artificial organs).
They call the technology as the "glucose biofuel cell". The device can convert the available glucose and oxygen into usable electricity. The device was tested by using two rats. It was implanted in the abdomen of the rats, and was able to attain the power of 6.5 microwatts. Wasn't bad, knowing that the standard pacemaker requires 10 microwatts to keep the heart beating properly. The device could nearly reach the standard power and if refined and improved could reach beyond that level. There is no reason why the device could not work in human. Researchers are very optimistic about improvement of its efficiency.
The question now is: how does this technology work inside a living body? Glucose, a source of energy for cells, is utilized by this device in generating energy. Enzymes are used to facilitate the oxidation process that causes the production of energy. Enzymes are contained in a graphite disc and protected by a dialysis bag. In this way the glucose and oxygen can enter while enzymes inside are prevented of going out. This technique also aims to protect the enzymes from an acidic environment because high acidity alters the process of oxidation. The process then produces a certain amount of energy. This energy is then transported to the machine.
Researchers are planning to test the "glucose biofuel cell" in larger animals. They are also looking forward for other improvements in their discovery, like making the device more biocompatible and prolonging its generating capacity. There will be a series of experiments that are expected to be done before the device can be practically used in humans. Maybe years from now, the device could be found in the market. Support from some companies could be a great help for its progress. The device may be very practical in the medical field. Glucose is an unlimited source of energy and it may be a substitute for batteries. This power-generating device does not need to be surgically removed and replaced.According to the researchers, the following experiments will aim to prove its effectiveness to larger animals and prolong its functioning. Improvement for the device would also include the incorporation of biocompatible materials. There will be a lot of experiments and enhancements that need to be done before its practical use. Possibly in a few years from now or, a shorter time, there may be some companies that will support the studies. It may be very useful in the field of medicine. It aims to replace batteries, which require regular operations.
In addition, besides the targeted pacemaker, the biofuel cell could find application in devices such as insulin pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, bone growth simulators and drug delivery devices as well as implanted medical sensors running for years. There's really an endless flowing of ideas and possibilities at the moment. The experiment may also lead for the development of failed experiments and as well as a motivation for those that are yet to be tried. It has reminded again those people concerned about the artificial organs. The technology is still considered to by young and its practical or commercial use is still far from reach.
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About the Author
May Smith is a webmaster who manages a website about record keeping
(ArticlesBase SC #3052074)
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ -
Glucose is a compound that is naturally found in the body. It supplies energy for the body and now, it is found to be capable of generating significant amount of energy that could possibly, if further improved, supply energy for implanted devices. This discovery is very significant to medical device suppliers (like pacemaker and artificial organs).
They call the technology as the "glucose biofuel cell". The device can convert the available glucose and oxygen into usable electricity. The device was tested by using two rats. It was implanted in the abdomen of the rats, and was able to attain the power of 6.5 microwatts. Wasn't bad, knowing that the standard pacemaker requires 10 microwatts to keep the heart beating properly. The device could nearly reach the standard power and if refined and improved could reach beyond that level. There is no reason why the device could not work in human. Researchers are very optimistic about improvement of its efficiency.
The question now is: how does this technology work inside a living body? Glucose, a source of energy for cells, is utilized by this device in generating energy. Enzymes are used to facilitate the oxidation process that causes the production of energy. Enzymes are contained in a graphite disc and protected by a dialysis bag. In this way the glucose and oxygen can enter while enzymes inside are prevented of going out. This technique also aims to protect the enzymes from an acidic environment because high acidity alters the process of oxidation. The process then produces a certain amount of energy. This energy is then transported to the machine.
Researchers are planning to test the "glucose biofuel cell" in larger animals. They are also looking forward for other improvements in their discovery, like making the device more biocompatible and prolonging its generating capacity. There will be a series of experiments that are expected to be done before the device can be practically used in humans. Maybe years from now, the device could be found in the market. Support from some companies could be a great help for its progress. The device may be very practical in the medical field. Glucose is an unlimited source of energy and it may be a substitute for batteries. This power-generating device does not need to be surgically removed and replaced.According to the researchers, the following experiments will aim to prove its effectiveness to larger animals and prolong its functioning. Improvement for the device would also include the incorporation of biocompatible materials. There will be a lot of experiments and enhancements that need to be done before its practical use. Possibly in a few years from now or, a shorter time, there may be some companies that will support the studies. It may be very useful in the field of medicine. It aims to replace batteries, which require regular operations.
In addition, besides the targeted pacemaker, the biofuel cell could find application in devices such as insulin pumps, artificial urinary sphincters, bone growth simulators and drug delivery devices as well as implanted medical sensors running for years. There's really an endless flowing of ideas and possibilities at the moment. The experiment may also lead for the development of failed experiments and as well as a motivation for those that are yet to be tried. It has reminded again those people concerned about the artificial organs. The technology is still considered to by young and its practical or commercial use is still far from reach.
Retrieved from "http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/glucose-can-supply-energy-to-implanted-devices-3052074.html" (ArticlesBase SC #3052074)
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