Prismatic zincair battery for use with biological stimulator

Abstract

The invention is a method for increasing the airflow to a Zinc-air battery such that the energy density is 500 mwh/cc to 1000 mwh/cc. This allows 8 to 16 hours use as a primary (throw-away) battery, with, for example, high-duty cycle, high-drain cochlear implants, and neuromuscular stimulators for nerves, muscles, and both nerves and muscles together. The systems incorporating the high energy density source are also part of the invention, as well as the resulting apparatus of the method. The uses of this inexpensive, i.e., a $1.00 per day, throw-away primary battery are new uses of the modified zinc-air battery and are directed toward helping people hear again, walk again, and regain body functionality which they have otherwise lost permanently.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A zinc-air battery system comprising a zinc-air battery with a porous cover.  
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the porous cover further comprises small holes.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the porous cover further comprises permeable membranes.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the porous cover further comprises a network of small pipes connected through the outside cover wherein said pipes are perforated along their lengths by small holes.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the porous cover further comprises a network of small pipes connected through the outside cover wherein said pipes are perforated along their lengths by openings that are covered by permeable membrane(s).  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a behind-the-ear cochlear implant component wherein the existing, already-implanted cochlear implant component requires a power flow from outside the body of 200 mW to 10,000 mW.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the dimensions of the zinc-air battery system are from 16 to 30 mm in height, 8 to 20.4 mm in width, and 4.8 to 7.2 mm in depth.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein for a depth in said range, the width and height dimensions may range above and below said maximum values further comprising dimensions which maintain the battery output of at least 500 mWh per cc, further comprising dimensions which do not require a rectangular profile in the height-width plane.  
     
     
         9 . A method for enabling and enhancing airflow into a zinc-air battery system comprising the step of fitting said zinc-air battery with a porous cover.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of creating the porous cover by perforating or etching it with small holes.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the steps of creating the porous cover by making openings in the cover and covering the openings with permeable membrane.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the steps of creating the porous cover by connecting a network of small pipes through the outside cover and perforating said pipes along their lengths by small holes.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the steps of creating the porous cover by connecting a network of small pipes through the outside cover and making openings in said pipes along their lengths and covering said openings with permeable membrane(s).  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  comprising the step of using a zinc-air battery with enhanced air flow to power a behind-the-ear cochlear implant external component wherein the existing, already-implanted cochlear implant component requires an energy flow from outside the body of 200 mWh to 10,000 mWh.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  comprising the steps of fabrication the zinc-air battery with dimensions from 16 to 30 mm in height, 8 to 20.4 mm in width, and 4.8 to 7.2 mm in depth.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  comprising, fabricating said battery, with a depth in said range, and width and height dimensions ranging above and below said maximum values and making the dimensions so that the battery output is of at least 500 mWh/cc and making the dimensions so as not to require a rectangular profile in the height-width plane.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising using said porous-covered battery as an inexpensive, through-away, high energy density source for existing cochlear implants requiring said high energy density source and using said porous-covered battery for nerve, muscle, neuromuscular, and living tissue stimulators, and functional electric stimulators, and enabling damaged or severed nerve persons, to walk, move limbs, again, in the case of such lost functionality.