Systems configured to transmit optical power signals transdermally out of a living subject, and devices and methods

• US 20100067920A1
• Filed: 09/15/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Rivet, Dennis J., Hyde, Roderick A., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,340,777 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/182
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1141 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

In an embodiment, a system includes an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject. The internal optical power transmitter includes a power source configured to provide electrical energy and an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source. The electrical-optical converter may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject. The system further includes an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals and at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals. Embodiments of methods, biocompatible electrical-optical converters, and internal optical power transmitters are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject, the internal optical power transmitter including

a power source configured to provide electrical energy; and

an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source, the electrical-optical converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject and having a power of at least about 10 μ

W.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 10 W.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 1 mW.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 1 mW to about 100 mW.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 100 mW to about 1 W.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes an electricity generator configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject into the electrical energy.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the electricity generator includes at least one of a fluid-flow generator, a fluid-pressure generator, a muscle-motion generator, an acceleration-motion generator, or a thermal-electric generator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes a beam steering device configured to direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the beam steering device includes at least one of a diffraction grating, a micro-electro-mechanical scanner, an acoustic-optical device, an electro-optical device, a steerable mount supporting the electrical-optical converter, or a steerable mount supporting one or more optical elements.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter is enclosed in a biocompatible protective packaging.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes focusing optics configured to focus the one or more optical power signals prior to transmission out of the living subject.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the focusing optics are configured to focus the one or more optical power signals a selected amount to at least partially account for optical spreading that occurs as the one or more optical power signals pass through tissue of the living subject.

20. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals; and

at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals.

21. The system of claim of claim 20, wherein the external optical-electrical converter is integrated with the at least one external device.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes a controller configured to receive instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject and direct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals with one or more selected optical output parameters.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the one or more selected optical output parameters include wavelength, start time, duration, end time, power, or time-integrated power of the one or more optical power signals.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes one or more power inputs configured to receive power from other than the power source.

30. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power converter configured to modify the electrical energy prior to receipt by the electrical-optical converter.

9-10. -10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

17-18. -18. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

26-28. -28. (canceled)

31. A system, comprising:

an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject, the internal optical power transmitter including

a power source configured to provide electrical energy;

an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source, the electrical-optical converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject;

an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals; and

at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with a power at least about 10 μ

W.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein the power source includes an electricity generator configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject into the electrical energy.

38. The system of claim 37 wherein the electricity generator includes at least one of a fluid-flow generator, a fluid-pressure generator, a muscle-motion generator, an acceleration-motion generator, or a thermal-electric generator.

39. The system of claim 31, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device.

42. The system of claim 31, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes a beam steering device configured to direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein the beam steering device includes at least one of a diffraction grating, a micro-electro-mechanical scanner, an acoustic-optical device, an electro-optical device, a steerable mount supporting the electrical-optical converter, or a steerable mount supporting one or more optical elements.

45. The system of claim 31, wherein the internal optical power transmitter is enclosed in a biocompatible protective packaging.

46. The system of claim 31, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes focusing optics configured to focus the one or more optical power signals prior to transmission out of the living subject.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the focusing optics are configured to focus the one or more optical power signals a selected amount to at least partially account for optical spreading that occurs as the one or more optical power signals pass through tissue of the living subject.

53. The system of claim 31, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes a controller configured to receive instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject and direct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals with one or more selected optical output parameters.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the one or more selected optical output parameters include wavelength, start time, duration, end time, power, or time-integrated power of the one or more optical power signals.

59. The system of claim 31, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes one or more power inputs configured to receive power from other than the power source.

60. The system of claim 31, further comprising a power converter configured to modify the electrical energy prior to receipt by the electrical-optical converter.

33-36. -36. (canceled)

40-41. -41. (canceled)

43. (canceled)

48-52. -52. (canceled)

56-58. -58. (canceled)

61. A method, comprising:

converting electrical energy within a living subject into one or more optical power signals; and

transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 10 W.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 1 mW.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 1 mW to about 100 mW.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 100 mW to about 1 W.

66. The method of claim 61, further comprising generating the electrical energy from internal body energy of the living subject.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein generating the electrical energy from internal body energy of the living subject includes converting at least one of muscular energy, fluid energy, acceleration energy, or thermal energy into the electrical energy.

68. The method of claim 61, further comprising receiving the electrical energy from an energy storage device.

71. The method of claim 61, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject with a power of at least about 10 μ

W includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

72. The method of claim 61, further comprising converting the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising powering at least one device located externally to the living subject using the one or more electrical power signals.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein powering at least one device using the one or more electrical power signals includes powering a personal electronic device located externally to the living subject.

75. The method of claim 61, further comprising transmitting the one or more optical power signals responsive to receiving instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject from at least one device located externally to the living subject.

76. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more optical power signals are focused prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject.

77. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more optical power signals are focused to at least partially account for optical spreading that occurs as the one or more optical power signals pass through tissue of the living subject.

78. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more optical power signals are focused to at least partially confine the one or more optical power signals to a receiving aperture.

79. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more optical power signals are steered prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject.

80. The method of claim 61, wherein the one or more optical power signals are steered prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject to at least partially direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

81. The method of claim 61, further comprising selectively providing the electrical energy from one of first or second power sources.

82. The method of claim 61, further comprising modifying the electrical energy prior to the converting.

69-70. -70. (canceled)

83. A method, comprising:

receiving one or more optical power signals transmitted transdermally out of a living subject;

converting the one or more optical signals to one or more electrical power signals; and

powering at least one device located externally to the living subject using the one or more electrical power signals.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein receiving one or more optical power signals transmitted transdermally out of a living subject includes receiving the one or more optical power signals that were focused prior to transmission through tissue of the living subject.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein receiving one or more optical power signals transmitted transdermally out of a living subject includes receiving the one or more optical power signals that were steered prior to transmission through tissue of the living subject.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein receiving the one or more optical power signals transmitted transdermally out of the living subject occurs responsive to transmitting instructions transdermally into the living subject from the at least one device located externally to the living subject.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein transmitting instructions transdermally into the living subject includes directing an electrical-optical converter disposed in the living subject to transmit the one or more optical signals transdermally out of the living subject.

88. The method of claim 83, wherein powering at least one device located externally to the living subject using the one or more electrical power signals includes powering a personal electronic device located externally to the living subject.

91. The method of claim 83, further comprising storing the one or more electrical power signals prior to the powering.

92. The method of claim 83, wherein the one or more optical power signals having a power of at least about 10 μ

W.

89-90. -90. (canceled)

93. A method, comprising:

converting electrical energy within a living subject into one or more optical power signals;

modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals; and

transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject after the modifying.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject after the optical processing includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals with a power of at least about 10 μ

W.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the power is about 10 μ

W to about 10 W.

96. The method of claim 94, wherein the power is about 10 μ

W to about 1 mW.

97. The method of claim 94, wherein the power is about 1 mW to about 100 mW.

98. The method of claim 94, wherein the power is about 100 mW to about 1 W.

99. The method of claim 93, further comprising generating the electrical energy from internal body energy of the living subject.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein generating the electrical energy from internal body energy of the living subject includes converting at least one of muscular energy, fluid energy, acceleration energy, or thermal energy into the electrical energy.

101. The method of claim 93, further comprising receiving the electrical energy from an energy storage device.

102. The method of claim 101, wherein the energy storage device includes a battery or a capacitive device.

103. The method of claim 93, wherein transmitting the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject after the modifying includes transmitting the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

104. The method of claim 93, further comprising converting the one or more transmitted optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals.

105. The method of claim 104, further comprising powering at least one device located externally to the living subject using the one or more electrical power signals.

106. The method of claim 105, wherein powering at least one device using the one or more electrical power signals includes powering a personal electronic device located externally to the living subject.

107. The method of claim 93, further comprising transmitting the one or more optical power signals responsive to receiving instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject from at least one device located externally to the living subject.

108. The method of claim 101, wherein modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals includes focusing the one or more optical power signals prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject.

109. The method of claim 93, wherein modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals includes focusing the one or more optical power signals prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject to at least partially account for optical spreading that occurs as the one or more optical power signals pass through tissue of the living subject.

110. The method of claim 93, wherein modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals includes focusing the one or more optical power signals prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject to at least partially confine the one or more optical power signals to a receiving aperture.

111. The method of claim 93, wherein modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals includes steering the one or more optical power signals prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject.

112. The method of claim 93, wherein modifying one or more optical parameters of the one or more optical power signals includes steering the one or more optical power signals prior to being transmitted transdermally out of the living subject to at least partially direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

113. The method of claim 93, further comprising selectively providing the electrical energy from one of first or second power sources.

114. The method of claim 93, further comprising modifying the electrical energy prior to the converting.

115-219. -219. (canceled)