<i>In Vivo</i> Self-Powered Wireless Cardiac Monitoring <i>via</i> Implantable Triboelectric Nanogenerator

TLDR

Harvesting biomechanical energy in vivo is a key strategy for sustainably powering implantable medical devices. This work demonstrates an innovative implantable triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) designed to harvest biomechanical energy in vivo. The iTENG converts cardiac motion into electrical energy and supplies a self‑powered wireless transmission system for real‑time cardiac monitoring. In adult swine, the iTENG delivered 3.5‑fold higher voltage and 25‑fold higher current than previous devices, operated continuously for over 72 h, and its performance indicates suitability for powering implantable devices and enabling self‑powered wireless healthcare monitoring.

Abstract

Harvesting biomechanical energy in vivo is an important route in obtaining sustainable electric energy for powering implantable medical devices. Here, we demonstrate an innovative implantable triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) for in vivo biomechanical energy harvesting. Driven by the heartbeat of adult swine, the output voltage and the corresponding current were improved by factors of 3.5 and 25, respectively, compared with the reported in vivo output performance of biomechanical energy conversion devices. In addition, the in vivo evaluation of the iTENG was demonstrated for over 72 h of implantation, during which the iTENG generated electricity continuously in the active animal. Due to its excellent in vivo performance, a self-powered wireless transmission system was fabricated for real-time wireless cardiac monitoring. Given its outstanding in vivo output and stability, iTENG can be applied not only to power implantable medical devices but also possibly to fabricate a self-powered, wireless healthcare monitoring system.