Inventor, Timm Vanderelli has revealed a prototype and test data for a device that converts the kinetic energy from the body's moving diaphragm into useful electric current. This device will give implant recipients freedom from relying on internal chemical batteries, through-the-skin (inductive) charging and the hazards to their health by repeated surgeries to replace batteries every 2 to 12 years (depending on the implant's requirements).
Vanderelli has a number of utility patents in the fields of electromagnetism, optics, wireless energy transfer (POD), nanotechnology and ferrohydrodynamics (FHD). He has been deeply involved with experimental physics over the past 25 years.
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C33&q=timm+vanderelli&oq=timm+vand
His Implantable Power Generator was conceived by his own experience with an implant. Living with a pacemaker in his own body and experiencing the apprehension and fears of the next battery replacement surgery were motivating factors. However, his main motivation was when he found out that implantable pulse generators (IPG's) designed for patients with spinal injuries require battery replacement every 2-3 years. He says, "The future of supplying power to implants depends on internally generated energy. After all, the primary goals are to ensure the human body will work safely and in harmony with implantable technology"
White paper (DRAFT) here:
https://www.ferrocell.us/diaphragm generator/an_implantable_power_generator_draft.docx