Self-Powered Implantable and Ingestible Devices: Harvesting Energy Within the Body

Abstract

Energy harvesting inside the body opens new research area into self-powered implantable and ingestible devices. These technologies are gaining attention as alternatives to batteries, offering lower health risks. In this review, we discuss the most important characteristics for the implantable and ingestible devices such as miniaturization, biocompatibility and efficiency in relation to their in vivo applications. We analyzed how energy can be harvested within the body using internally triggered mechanisms like mechanical, thermal, and biochemical energy harvesting approaches. In each section, a general overview of the fundamentals of the energy harvesters was introduced followed by the applications of the energy harvesters in implantable and ingestible devices. It also discusses how these energy sources can power implantable and ingestible devices. While promising, current energy harvesting technologies face significant challenges and limitations that must be addressed before these devices can be clinically applied. Lastly, key challenges and potential solutions are discussed from both clinical and practical perspectives.