Totally implantable enzymatic biofuel cell and brain stimulator operating in bird through wireless communication

Animals digest food to fuel brain neurometabolism via cellular respiration. This study demonstrates the combination of a biofuel cell (BFC) and an animal brain stimulator (ABS) implanted in a pigeon. Glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction in an enzymatic BFC supplied electrical power to the ABS. Power from the BFC reached 0.12 mW in vitro and 0.08 mW in vivo using only the natural glucose and oxygen in the pigeon's body. A power management integrated circuit is used to harvest energy from the in vivo BFC at a rate of 28.4 mJ over 10 min, which is sufficient for intermittent neurostimulation.

Automated summary

This study shows the successful combination of a biofuel cell and an animal brain stimulator implanted in a pigeon, with glucose oxidation and oxygen reduction in the enzymatic BFC supplying power to the ABS. The in vivo BFC was able to harvest energy at a rate of 28.4 mJ over 10 minutes, sufficient for intermittent neurostimulation.