Power System Implantable in Eye

• US 20110248671A1
• Filed: 04/08/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Alcon Research Limited (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Jenkins, Daniel, Rickard, Matthew, Dos Santos, Cesario
• Application Number:
  US12/756,220
• Publication Number:
  US 20110248671A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/108
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/16 for measuring intraocular pressure, e.g. tonometers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00781 Apparatus for modifying intraocular pressure, e.g. for glaucoma treatment drainage implants in general A61M27/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 9/26 Structural combinations of electrolytic capacitors, rectifiers, detectors, switching devices, light-sensitive or temperature-sensitive devices with each other
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0565 Polymeric materials, e.g. gel-type or solid-type
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/109 of button or coin shape
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/27 characterised by the type of receiving antennas, e.g. rectennas
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An implantable ophthalmic power system includes a power source and an enclosure. The enclosure surrounds the power source. The enclosure is configured to be implanted under the conjunctiva of the eye.

Claims

1. An implantable ophthalmic power system comprising:

a power source; and

an enclosure surrounding the power source, the enclosure configured to be implanted under a conjunctiva of an eye.

2. The power system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

3. The power system of claim 2 wherein the rechargeable battery is selected from the group consisting of:

a thin film battery and a lithium polymer battery

4. The power system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a capacitor array.

5. The power system of claim 4 wherein the capacitor array comprises a plurality of capacitors connected in series and/or in parallel

6. The power system of claim 4 wherein the capacitor array comprises a plurality of capacitors arranged in a planar configuration.

7. The power system of claim 4 wherein the capacitor array comprises a plurality of capacitors arranged in a stacked configuration.

8. The power system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a thermoelectric module.

9. The power system of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a solar cell module.

10. The power system of claim 9 wherein a light collecting face of the solar cell module is integrated into the enclosure.

11. The power system of claim 1 further comprising:

a loop antenna located around the periphery of the power source, the loop antenna coupled to the power source.

12. The power system of claim 11 wherein the loop antenna is configured to recharge the power source.

13. The power system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is less than about 12 millimeters wide and less than about 12 millimeters long, wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is less than about 2 millimeters, and wherein the bottom surface has a radius of curvature of about 8 to 16 millimeters.

14. The power system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure has a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface has a diameter of less than about 12 millimeters, wherein the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface is less than about 2 millimeters, and wherein the bottom surface has a radius of curvature of about 8 to 16 millimeters.

15. The power system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is made of a biocompatible material.

16. The power system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure serves as a plate portion in a glaucoma drainage device.

17. The power system of claim 1 wherein the enclosure is made of a single layer of biocompatible material.

18. The power system of claim 17 wherein a barrier separates the power source from an electronics module, and wherein the barrier is integral with the enclosure.