Abstract An implantable fuel cell power source for an artificial heart or pacemaker device which utilizes blood carbohydrates as the anode fuel. The cathode of the implantable fuel cell is an oxygen utilizing cathode, and may be air breathing, for example, following being ventilated through a percutaneous airway by a balloon system. The fuel cell may be integrated as part of a heart pump prosthetic mechanism, or placed at some remote location where a portion of the venous blood can be diverted to the fuel cell on its way to the heart. The anode chamber of the fuel cell may form a portion of the atria or the blood collecting plenum of the heart pump, but preferably is placed at the outflow passage of the prosthetic heart pump right ventricle so that the pumping force provides enough power to overcome the resistance of both the anode and the pulmonary vascular bed. The anode is separated from the whole venous blood by a thin, porous membrane capable of passing a blood ultra-filtrate containing the oxidizable organics. The organics contact the catalyst anode which is preferably of a ''''felt'''' -type construction, with the ultra-filtrate at approximately neutral pH acting also as the electrolyte. The anode is backed by a similar membrane, on the obverse side of which is coated the cathode catalyst. The implanted fuel cell may be connected in parallel with an implanted storage battery to form a hybrid power system which gives a fuel cell - storage battery hybrid system an outstanding redundancy capability.
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein: said anode assembly comprises a catalytic structure capable of oxidizing said organic compounds selected from rhodium, platinum-ruthenium alloy, and highly porous gold fiber felt on which is deposited rhodium black catalyst powder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
36 words
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 2 wherein: said catalytic structure comprises a highly porous gold fiber felt on which is deposited rhodium black catalyst powder, said structure having a roughness factor above about 3000.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein: said air conduit includes a percutaneous airway adapted to communicate with the exterior of said body via an unhindered pore.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 4 wherein: said cathode assembly includes a catalytic cathode material selected from platinum, a platinum alloy, and platinum black applied to a support.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 2 wherein: said air conduit includes a percutaneous airway adapted to communicate with the exterior of said body via an unhindered pore, and, said cathode assembly includes a catalytic cathode material selected from platinum, a platinum alloy, and platinum black applied to said support.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An implantable fuel cell as in claim 1 wherein said support membrane is an ion exchange membrane.