Optically-connected implants and related systems and methods of use

• US 20040015211A1
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brown University
• Original Assignee: Brown University
• Inventors: Flaherty, J. Christopher, Nurmikko, Arto V., Donoghue, John P., Patterson, William R. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,280,870 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/61
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/125 Bends, branchings or intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2813 based on multimode interference effect, i.e. self-imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/105 the potential barrier being of the PIN type

Abstract

According to embodiments of the invention, one or more implants in a body may be connected with optical fibers for transmitting data and/or power to or from the implants. Aspects of the invention related to various embodiments of the actual implant as well as to various embodiments for connecting optical fibers to the implants.

Claims

1. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body;

a second device; and

an optical fiber optically connected to the first device and the second device, configured to be at least partially implanted in the body, and capable of transmitting power and data between the first device and the second device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is configured to be external the body and the optical fiber is a transcutaneous optical fiber.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is configured to be implanted within the body and all of the optical fiber is configured to be implanted in the body.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third device implanted in the body; and

a second optical fiber optically connected to the first device and the third device and capable of transmitting at least one of power and data between the first device and the third device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first device includes a photoreceiver capable of receiving light from a source external the body.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a third device implanted in the body; and

a second optical fiber optically connected to the second device and the third device and capable of transmitting at least one of power and data between the second device and the third device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device includes a stimulator for stimulating a part of the body proximate the second device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device includes a signal processor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is capable of delivering a drug to the body.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is capable of performing a therapeutic function for the body.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device includes a photoreceiver for receiving UV light from a source external the body and the second device includes a portion for delivery of UV light to the body.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is an electrode array configured to be implanted proximate the brain to detect neural signals.

13. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body;

a second device;

an optical fiber optically connected to the first device and the second device, configured to be at least partially implanted in the body, and capable of transmitting data between the first device and the second device; and

an electrical conductor connected to the first device and the second device, configured to be at least partially implanted in the body, and capable of transmitting electrical power between the first device and the second device.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a cable that includes the optical fiber and the electrical conductor.

15. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body, the first device including a photoreceiver capable of receiving light;

a second device configured to be implanted within the body; and

an optical fiber optically connected to the first device and the second device, configured to be at implanted in the body, and capable of transmitting light from the first device to the second device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the second device includes a portion for delivery of UV light to the body.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the second device is ring-shaped.

18. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a third device implanted in the body; and

a second optical fiber optically connected to the first device and the third device and capable of transmitting light between the first device and the third device.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

a third device implanted in the body; and

a second optical fiber optically connected to the second device and the third device and capable of transmitting light between the second device and the third device.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the first device is configured to be implanted closer to the skin of the body than the second device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the second device is sized and configured for implantation in a portion of the body substantially inaccessible to receipt of light directly from a source external the body.

22. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body,

an encapsulation covering substantially all of the first device to seal the first device from bodily fluids; and

an optical window associated with the first device and not covered by the encapsulation.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device.

24. The system of claim 22, further comprising a connector associated with an end of the optical fiber, the connector having a portion to receive the optical window and align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the connector includes at least one flange to engage a portion of the device and restrict removal of the connector from the device after engagement of the flange and the portion.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the connector is configured to attach to the device with a suture.

27. The system of claim 22, further comprising a connector associated with an end of the optical fiber, the connector configured to mate with a corresponding portion of the device to align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the first device includes an array of electrodes capable of sensing neural signals.

29. The system of claim 28, further comprising:

an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device; and

a second device configured for optical coupling to the optical fiber for transmission of at least one of data and power between the first device and the second device.

30. A system for detecting neural signals from a brain of a body, comprising:

a device sized and configured for implantation proximate the brain, the device including an array of electrodes capable of sensing neural signals; and

at least one first optical fiber coupled to the device and capable of providing an optical communication with the device.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one first optical fiber is capable of providing an optical input to the device, and further comprising at least one second optical fiber coupled to the device and capable of transmitting an optical output from the device.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the device includes an LED coupled to the at least one second optical fiber.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the device includes at least one photodiode coupled to the at least one first optical fiber and capable of receiving optical power input from the at least one first optical fiber.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one photodiode includes two photodiodes.

35. The system of claim 34, further comprising a power splitter between the two photodiodes and the at least one first optical fiber.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the at least one photodiode includes a core layer for receiving optical power, a cladding layer to absorb the received optical power, and n-type and p-type layers electrically connected to the device.

37. The system of claim 30, further comprising a clock photodiode connected to a timing circuit coupled to the array, wherein the at least one first optical fiber is capable of providing a clock input to the clock photodiode.

38. The system of claim 30, wherein the device further comprises an amplifier.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the amplifier receives the sensed neural signals and amplifies the sensed neural signals falling within the bandwidth 20 Hz to 10 kHz.

40. The system of claim 30, wherein the device communicates over the optical fiber in a time-multiplexed format, and wherein the multiplexed information represents time multiplexed power signals and data signals.

41. A method for treating a body, comprising:

implanting a first device in the body;

implanting at least a portion of an optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting the first device to a first end of the optical fiber;

optically connecting a second device to a second end of the optical fiber;

transmitting power and data between the first device and the second device; and

using the power and data to perform a therapeutic function for the body.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein implanting at least a portion of the optical fiber includes implanting all of the optical fiber in the body, and further comprising the step of implanting the second device in the body.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein implanting at least a portion of the optical fiber includes implanting the optical fiber transcutaneously, and wherein the second device is external the body.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

implanting a third device in the body;

implanting a second optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting a first end of the second optical fiber to the first device and a second end of the second optical fiber to the third device; and

transmitting at least one of power and data between the first device and the third device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein a photoreceiver of the first device receives light from a source external the body.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

implanting a third device in the body;

implanting a second optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting a first end of the second optical fiber to the second device and a second end of the second optical fiber to the third device; and

transmitting at least one of power and data between the second device and the third device.

47. The method of claim 41, further comprising stimulating a part of the body proximate the first device.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising using the first device to process a signal.

49. The method of claim 41, further comprising delivering a drug to a part of the body proximate the first device.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein a photoreceiver of the first device receives UV light from a source external the body, and further comprising delivering UV light to the body from the second device.

51. The method of claim 41, wherein the first device is an array of electrodes, and further comprising detecting neural signals with the electrode array.

52. A method for treating a body, comprising:

implanting a first device in the body;

implanting at least a portion of an optical fiber in the body;

implanting at least a portion of an electrical conductor in the body;

optically connecting the first device to a first end of the optical fiber;

optically connecting a second device to a second end of the optical fiber;

electrically connecting the first device to a first end of the electrical conductor;

electrically connecting the second device to a second end of the electrical conductor;

transmitting data along the optical fiber between the first device and the second device;

transmitting power along the electrical conductor between the first device and the second device; and

using the power and data to perform a therapeutic function for the body.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein implanting at least a portion of the optical fiber includes implanting all of the optical fiber in the body, implanting at least a portion of the electrical conductor includes implanting all of the electrical conductor in the body, and further comprising the step of implanting the second device in the body.

54. The method of claim 52, wherein implanting at least a portion of the optical fiber includes implanting the optical fiber transcutaneously, implanting at least a portion of the electrical conductor includes implanting the electrical conductor transcutaneously, and the second device is external the body.

55. The method of claim 52, wherein a photoreceiver of the first device receives light from a source external the body.

56. The method of claim 52, further comprising stimulating a part of the body proximate the first device.

57. The method of claim 52, further comprising using the first device to process a signal.

58. The method of claim 52, further comprising delivering a drug to a part of the body proximate the first device.

59. The method of claim 52, wherein the first device is an array of electrodes, and further comprising detecting neural signals with the electrode array.

60. A method for treating a body, comprising:

implanting a first device in the body, the first device including a photoreceiver;

implanting a second device in the body;

implanting an optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting the first device to a first end of the optical fiber;

optically connecting the second device to a second end of the optical fiber;

transmitting light along the optical fiber between the first device and the second device; and

using the light to perform a therapeutic function for the body.

61. The method of claim 60, further comprising delivering UV light from the second device to the body.

62. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

implanting a third device in the body;

implanting a second optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting a first end of the second optical fiber to the first device and a second end of the second optical fiber to the third device; and

transmitting light along the second optical fiber between the first device and the third device.

63. The method of claim 60, further comprising:

implanting a third device in the body;

implanting a second optical fiber in the body;

optically connecting a first end of the second optical fiber to the second device and a second end of the second optical fiber to the third device; and

transmitting light along the second optical fiber between the second device and the third device.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein implanting the first device and implanting the second device include implanting the first device in the body closer to the skin of the body than the second device.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein implanting the second device includes implanting the second device in a portion of the body substantially inaccessible to receipt of light directly from a source external the body.

66. The method of claim 64, wherein the first device is implanted proximate one of the chest cavity, abdomen, or thigh of the body and the second device is implanted proximate the brain of the body.

67. A method for treating a body, comprising:

implanting a first device in the body, the first device including an encapsulation covering substantially all of the first device to seal the first device from bodily fluids and an optical window not covered by the encapsulation;

implanting at least a portion of an optical fiber in the body;

optically coupling the optical window to a first end of the optical fiber;

optically connecting a second device to a second end of the optical fiber;

transmitting at least one of light, power, and data along the optical fiber between the first device and the second device; and

using the at least one of light, power, and data to perform a therapeutic function for the body.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein optically coupling the optical window to the first end includes having a connector associated with the first end of the optical fiber receive the optical window.

69. The method of claim 67, wherein optically coupling the optical window to the first end includes applying a suture to a connector associated with the first end and to the first device.

70. The method of claim 67, wherein the first device includes an array of electrodes, and further comprising sensing neural signals with the electrodes.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the second device receives information relating to the sensed neural signals.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the second device uses the received information to stimulate a part of the body proximate the second device.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the second device uses the received information to deliver a drug to the body.

74. The method of claim 67, wherein optically coupling the optical window to the first end of the optical fiber is performed intra-operatively.

75. A method for detecting neural signals from a brain of a body, comprising:

providing a device that includes an array of electrodes;

implanting the device proximate the brain;

implanting at least a portion of a first optical fiber in the body;

optically coupling a first end of the first optical fiber to the device; and

sensing neural signals with the array of electrodes.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

implanting a second device in the body; and

transmitting information relating to the sensed neural signals along the optical fiber to the second device.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the second device uses the transmitted information to stimulate a part of the body proximate the second device.

78. The method of claim 76, wherein the second device uses the transmitted information to deliver a drug to the body.

79. The method of claim 75, wherein optically coupling the first end of the optical fiber to the first device is performed intra-operatively.

80. The method of claim 75, further comprising providing an optical input from the first optical fiber to the device.

81. The method of claim 80, wherein the device includes a photodiode connected to a timing circuit coupled to the array, and the optical input includes a clock input provided to the photodiode.

82. The method of claim 80, wherein the device includes a photodiode, and the optical input includes optical power provided to the photodiode.

83. The method of claim 75, the method further comprising amplifying the sensed neural signals falling within the bandwidth 20 Hz to 10 kHz.

84. The method of claim 75, further comprising communicating over the optical fiber in a time-multiplexed format, and wherein the multiplexed information represents time multiplexed power signals and data signals.

85. The method of claim 75, further comprising:

implanting a second device in the body;

implanting a third device in the body;

transmitting first information relating to the sensed neural signals along the optical fiber to the second device; and

transmitting second information relating to the sensed neural signals along a second optical fiber from the second device to the third device.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the third device uses the transmitted information to provide a therapeutic function to the body.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the therapeutic function includes stimulating a part of the body proximate the third device.

88. The method of claim 86, wherein the therapeutic function includes delivering a drug to the body.

89. The method of claim 85, wherein the second device processes the first information to obtain the second information.