WATTPILL

This concerns the design of an implantable enzyme-based glucose biobattery, original in its manufacturing method and its biocompatibility.

This biobattery is composed of electrodes containing enzymes, conductors, electrochemical mediators, if necessary, and a “binder”. The most effective binder is a natural and biocompatible polymer, modified to be non-degradable for use in the physico-chemical conditions of the extra-cellular liquid of mammals.
All of these elements are compressed into two semi-permeable and non-biodegradable “pastilles”, with controlled porosity to allow the entry of the fuels (glucose and oxygen), while guaranteeing that the device is thoroughly sealed. The entire device can be sterilised. During the implantations, the voltage and intensity produced are measured and monitored by wireless communication.

It has been demonstrated that a battery composed of enzymes contained in a bag made from semi-permeable membranes can be implanted in an animal. This biobattery not only has one of the best performance levels (approximately 0.5 µW/µL electrodes), but is also the first (and at present the only one) to have been implanted into mammals, producing more power than that required by a pacemaker (40 µW).

The battery is currently the only enzyme-based biobattery to have demonstrated its ability to remain operational for several months inside a mammal.

In the short term, on the animal health market, where biochips have a promising future.
In the medium term, by capitalising on veterinary data, this biobattery can be used to power any implantable medical device.