Patent ID: 8135469

Claim:
An implant apparatus for implantation into a mammal, the implant apparatus comprising: an implant device having an electrode lead for implantation into a body; an energy harvester comprising a pressure responsive device for containing a working fluid, and an electrical generator which is coupled to the pressure responsive device and is adapted, in use, to convert pressure changes in the working fluid into electrical energy; and at least one electrical connection between the electrical generator and the implant device, the electrical generator being adapted to provide electrical power to the implant device, wherein the electrical generator is adapted to provide a signal feed output that is sent from the electrical generator to the implant device along the at least one electrical connection, and the implant device is adapted to process the signal feed output, wherein the electrical generator comprises a first component that is disposed in such a position so as to be electromagnetically coupled to at least one second component of the electrical generator, the at least one second component being a complementary component, in the electrical generator, to the first component, wherein the electrical generator is adapted, in use, to direct the working fluid against a face of the first component such as to move the first component relative to the at least one second component, and wherein the first component comprises one of a magnet, a conductive coil, and a magnetically permeable material, and the second component comprises one of a conductive coil, a magnet, and a combination of a magnet and a coil, respectively.