Self-powered Implants

Self-powering cochlear implants may be on the way. MIT researchers say they've created a self-sufficient chip by taking advantage of a natural battery inside the ear. Using electrical signals from the inner ear, these researchers say their device will power itself which could eliminate the need for external power for some implants and make it possible for the implant to be permanently inserted. The implant has worked well in experiements on guinea pigs (these animals have inner ears that work in a similar fashion to human ears). Read details about the research in the journal Nature Biotechnology here.