X-Message-Number: 24235 Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 04:17:42 -0700 From: James Swayze <> Subject: A question for electronic experts References: <> CryoNet wrote: >CryoNet - Sun 13 Jun 2004 > > #24228: Re: thermopiles [John de Rivaz] > #24229: Damaged Genes in Aging Human Brain Provide Clues to Cognitive Decline [David Stodolsky] > #24230: Re: [CN] discord and resignations [Tim Freeman] > #24231: There isn't any oil crisis [WalkerBill] > #24232: immortalist groups seeking wisdom... [starman2050] > #24233: C.r.y.o.n.i.c.s....O.b.s.e.r.v.e.r [Rick Potvin] > >Rate This Digest: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24228%2D24233 > >Administrivia > >To subscribe to CryoNet, send email to: > >with the subject line (not message _body_): > subscribe >To unsubscribe, use the subject line: > unsubscribe > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------- > >Message #24228 >From: "John de Rivaz" <> >References: <> >Subject: Re: thermopiles >Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 10:36:49 +0100 > > > >>From: >>Subject: thermopiles >> >>Many years ago I expected we would eventually utilize thermopiles as >> >> >primary > > >>energy sources. For a cryonics organization it could have the special >>advantages of independence and nearly maintenance-free operation at close >> >> >to zero > > >>cost after installation. >> >> > >Power implant aims to run on body heat > >19:00 09 June 04 > >Exclusive from New Scientist Print Edition. > >Life-saving medical implants like pacemakers and defibrillators face a big >drawback: their batteries eventually run out. So every few years, patients >need surgery to have the batteries replaced. > >Now a company in New York state is planning to tackle the problem by >providing patients with an implantable power source that recharges their >implant's batteries using electricity generated by the patient's own body >heat. > >more on > >http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99995091 > >(this is a not their subscription web site) > > > I have an implanted device and recently had to have surgery to replace not only the battery but the unit. I was compelled to go under general anesthesia even though I assured them I could handle remaining awake with a local only. I don't like going under as I try to avoid unnecessary risks that invite a suspension. This replacement of the entire unit as opposed to just the battery was not required simply because the unit was bad but it was an opportune time to upgrade. This aspect aside, noting that as the article suggests extending pace maker batteries to 3 decades might not be so desirable for anyone wishing to keep up with the latest improvements, however, I have an electronic question for you technologists. I took note of the charging method for the electric car that I believe General Motors put out a few years ago, if memory serves. To avoid things like corrosion of leads and electric shock, especially as weather conditions could vary for folks hooking up to the charge devices, they used magnetic inductionto transfer the charging power without direct contact. So when the Medtronic company technical representative overseeing the surgery was available for questioning I asked why hadn't they thought to recharge implant devices a similar way? No direct connection is needed if I have the situation correct. It could induct right through the few millimeters of skin and flesh covering the implant. Am I correct? The only thing I could think of to prevent it is that possibly the electronics, the cpu and memory chips and such that operate and control the device, might get wiped. However, I don't know enough to know if this is true either, perhaps there are or could be ways to shield those within the body and have only the surface interface with the inductive current. Anyone have any thoughts? Since I'll likely get rated off topic just reply to me privately if you wish to avoid same. James -- Member: Cryonics Institute of Michigan http://www.cryonics.org The Immortalist Society http://www.cryonics.org/info.html The Society for Venturism http://www.venturist.org Immortality Institute http://www.imminst.org Methuselah Foundation http://www.methuselahfoundation.org Methuselah Mouse Prize http://www.methuselahmouse.org [Give $$$ for life!] World Transhumanist Association http://www.transhumanism.org/ Marijuana Policy Project http://www.mpp.org American Civil Liberties Union http://www.aclu.org Nat. Resources Defense Council http://www.nrdc.org Act For Change http://www.actforchange.org People for American Way http://www.pfaw.org MY WEBSITE: http://www.davidpascal.com/swayze/ Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=24235