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Ear-Powered Medical Devices In Development
cylonlover writes "Our ears work by converting the vibrations of the eardrum into electrochemical signals that can be interpreted by the brain. The current for those signals is supplied by an ion-filled chamber deep within the inner ear – it's essentially a natural battery. Scientists are now looking at using that battery to power devices that could be implanted in the ear, without affecting the recipient's hearing. The 'battery chamber' is located in the cochlea. It is internally divided by a membrane, some of the cells of which are designed to pump ions. The arrangement of those specialized cells, combined with an imbalance of potassium and sodium ions on opposite sides of the membrane, are what creates the electrical voltage. A team of scientists from MIT, the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology have recently succeeded in running an ultra-low-power radio-transmitting chip using power from these battery chambers – in guinea pigs' ears."
about the radio chips implanted in their heads by the government were right.
Source: Medical devices powered by the ear itself - MIT News Office
Also usable elsewhere in the body: New energy source for future medical implants: sugar - Implantable fuel cell built at MIT could power neural prosthetics that help patients regain control of limbs.
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The submitter makes me suspicious about this news. Get the airlock ready.
think subdermal bluetooth headset.
you can really walk around talking like a crazy person and be completely correct.
when your phone rings only you will be able to hear it.bbnow if they could come up with a subvocalized microphone to go with it then you could have a full conversation while looking like your paying attention in a boring meeting.
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.