The beating heart could replace batteries as the power source for pacemakers, researchers have revealed.
Early studies suggest enough energy can be "harvested" from the heart, a major conference heard yesterday.
Experts said the technology might be used to power other devices, as well as pacemakers, such as implantable defibrillators.
The research was revealed at the conference of the American Heart Association in Los Angeles, California, USA.
The researchers have so far shown they can harvest electricity from the heart’s vibrations in the chest – a process known as piezoelectricity. They now have to develop an implantable energy device.
The device uses magnets and is not affected by changes in the heart-rate.
Researcher Dr Amin Karami, of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA, said: "Many of the patients are children who live with pacemakers for many years. You can imagine how many operations they are spared if this new technology is implemented."
The medical director of the British Heart Foundation, Professor Peter Weissberg, said: "Advancing technology over recent years has meant people with pacemakers need to change their battery less often. This device could be another step forward along this path.
"If researchers can refine the technology and it proves robust in clinical trials, it would further reduce the need for battery changes."
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