Subcutaneously Implantable Power Supply

http://newatlas.com/solar-cell-medical-implant-skin/47200/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25744612

An implantable power supply adapted to be implanted subcutaneously within our living tissue, made from a thin photovoltaic cell encased in a case formed of a lamination of a plurality of thin plastic layers, each layer being translucent in the area covering said cell, such that the power supply is sufficiently flexible to conform to body contours. The average age of a cardiac pacemaker battery is seven years, and the average age of the recipient is early seventies. The entire device may require replacement at age seventy-eight, since the battery is sealed inside, and the batteries are permanently sealed inside a laser welded titanium pacemaker cases, thus requiring the entire unit be replaced at great cost. However, at age seventy-eight, the wearer's health has frequently deteriorated to the point where they cannot withstand the trauma of replacement surgery, which results in death in 10%-15% of the cases. Teenagers requiring pacemakers or defibrillators could tolerate replacement surgery up to fifteen times during their lives. 

In today's society cardiac pacemakers account for the most widespread use of internal batteries, typically single cell L-I types. The L-I battery generates a nominal 2.8 volts from a single cell when fresh, and is allowed to drop as little as 0.2 volts before replacement is indicated. However, depending on the construction of the cathode and anode plates, the L-I battery can generate up to 3.7 volts from a single cell. This invention's purpose is to provide an improved subcutaneous device for powering implantable medical devices of all kinds that is lightweight, flexible and has improved internal battery longevity.

I am a big fan of this, I think it is a strong original idea that would benefit a lot of cardiovascular patients in the future. Solar energy is an abundant source so why not utilize it in ways that can better our health.