Health Science Reviews

by Dzunisani Phaweni

With continuing efforts to merge technology with healthcare, exciting advancements are being made in the world of implantable medical devices (IMDs). These devices aim to revolutionize personalized care and real-time metabolic tracking yet are held back by a fundamental problem. Traditional power sources like batteries need to be either recharged or replaced as they often have limited lifespans and require complex maintenance. Today however, scientists are looking to tackle this problem with a unique and innovative solution, one that taps into your own body’s power.

Enter Maity et al., 2023’s captivating study “Blood-Glucose-Powered Metabolic Fuel Cell for Self-Sufficient Bioelectronics.” In which the authors venture into groundbreaking territory – using excess glucose in the bloodstream to energize implantable devices designed to treat diabetes.

For those struggling with diabetes, the constant monitoring of glucose levels and administration of insulin is a constant and tiresome battle. Although regular bioelectronic implants that can automate this process exist, they consume relatively large quantities of power, and thus often rely on external power sources. However, this study aims to break ground, taking us few steps closer to the development of self-sustained, autonomous bioelectronic devices.

At the core of this study lies the glucose-utilizing biofuel cell. Ideally, this miniature powerhouse would operate within your body, continuously monitoring your blood glucose levels. When subject to excessive glucose levels due to hyperglycaemia, the biofuel cell would to action, triggering a electrochemical reaction, transforming glucose molecules into electrical power.

Imagine a tiny chamber within the implant where glucose molecules are oxidized by a catalyst, releasing negatively charged electrons at the anode. Concurrently, oxygen molecules are reduced at the cathode, leading to a flow of positive ions. This interplay of electrons and ions creates an electrical circuit, generating usable electrical power that can drive diverse device functions.

This implanted powerhouse would not just be just self-sufficient, but be able to orchestrate various tasks, like the guided release of insulin, akin to having a cellular conductor that syncs with your body’s rhythms to uphold ideal glucose levels. Patients would no longer confined by the limits of conventional power sources, nor would they be solely reliant on manual insulin administration, offering newfound independence to those living with diabetes.

As science and technology evolve, so do our capabilities to reshape healthcare. The fusion of bioelectronic implants and the body’s metabolic energy underscores the potential for a symbiotic relationship between the spheres of medicine, biotechnology, and engineering. The concept of blood batteries might have seemed like science fiction once, but today, it’s a captivating reality with the potential to transform countless lives.

References:

Maity, D., Guha Ray, P., Buchmann, P., Mansouri, M. and Fussenegger, M. (2023). Blood-Glucose-Powered Metabolic Fuel Cell for Self-Sufficient Bioelectronics. Advanced Materials. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202300890

Ujwal Shreenag Meda, Nishaa, Soumya, B Spoorthi and Desai, V.S. (2022). Powering Implantable Medical Devices with Biological Fuel Cells. ECS transactions, 107(1), pp.19197–19215. doi:https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.19197ecst.