Robust Powering of Implantable Biosensor Platform
First Claim
1. A method for measuring a biological characteristic of a body using an implantable biosensor device which is located in the body and which is powered by a solar cell/storage capacitor combination, the method comprising:
- transmitting light from a light source to the implanted bio sensor device such that the transmitted light is received by the solar cell, wherein the light source is located external to the body and wherein the implanted biosensor device includes,an internal photodetector receiver,an optical transmitter,a bio sensing device,a signal processing unit, andmode select logic circuits that are powered by the storage capacitor and that are configured to sense and calibrate the biological characteristic, andwherein the output of the solar cell is connected to the storage capacitor via a transistor switch which is turned on when the light is received by the solar cell and turned off when the light is not received by the solar cell, wherein the mode select logic circuits have outputs which are selectable via a finite state machine architecture and which are activated via an internal photodetector, wherein the internal photodetector is configured to receive a light wavelength that is different from an external unit and which is configured to generate pulses that can be used to enable selected outputs of the mode select logic unit,operating the biosensor device to obtain biological characteristic data by sensing the biological characteristic; and
transmitting optically the biological characteristic data to an external photodetector receiver.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body is provided, wherein the implantable device includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic energy and converting the electromagnetic energy into electrical energy; a storage capacitor associated with the receiver such that the electrical energy from the receiver is stored in the storage capacitor; a biological sensor; a processing device; and a transmitter, wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured to receive electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured such that when the receiver is receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive and when the receiver is not receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive.
-
Citations
4 Claims
-
1. A method for measuring a biological characteristic of a body using an implantable biosensor device which is located in the body and which is powered by a solar cell/storage capacitor combination, the method comprising:
-
transmitting light from a light source to the implanted bio sensor device such that the transmitted light is received by the solar cell, wherein the light source is located external to the body and wherein the implanted biosensor device includes, an internal photodetector receiver, an optical transmitter, a bio sensing device, a signal processing unit, and mode select logic circuits that are powered by the storage capacitor and that are configured to sense and calibrate the biological characteristic, and wherein the output of the solar cell is connected to the storage capacitor via a transistor switch which is turned on when the light is received by the solar cell and turned off when the light is not received by the solar cell, wherein the mode select logic circuits have outputs which are selectable via a finite state machine architecture and which are activated via an internal photodetector, wherein the internal photodetector is configured to receive a light wavelength that is different from an external unit and which is configured to generate pulses that can be used to enable selected outputs of the mode select logic unit, operating the biosensor device to obtain biological characteristic data by sensing the biological characteristic; and transmitting optically the biological characteristic data to an external photodetector receiver.
-
-
2. An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body, the implantable device comprising:
-
a plurality of solar cells, connected in series and parallel and configured to receive optical energy and convert the optical energy into electrical energy; a storage capacitor associated with the plurality of solar cells such that the electrical energy is received by and stored in the storage capacitor; a biological sensor; a sensor potentiostat interface; a signal processing device; a multiplexer unit; an optical transmitter; and an electronic driver, wherein the biological sensor and its potentiostat interface, signal processing device and optical transmitter are configured to receive the electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and wherein the biological sensor and signal processing device are configured such that during a first interval of time when the plurality of solar cells are receiving optical energy, the biological sensor and signal processing device are active and transmitting the biological information via the optical transmitter, and when the plurality of solar cells are not receiving optical energy, the biological sensor, signal processing device and transmitter are active for a different second interval of time, the duration of the second interval of time being determined by a discharging time constant of the storage capacitor, wherein the biological information is relatively free from interference from the optical source that powers the solar cells. - View Dependent Claims (3)
-
-
4. An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body, the implantable device comprising:
-
solar cells configured to receive optical energy and convert the optical energy into electrical energy; a rechargeable battery associated with the solar cells via a transistor switch, wherein when the transistor switch is enabled, the solar cells and rechargeable battery are connected such that the electrical energy flows between the solar cells and the rechargeable battery, and when the transistor switch is disabled, the solar cells and rechargeable battery are not connected such that no electrical energy flow between the solar cells and the rechargeable battery; at least one biological sensor; a signal processing device; and mode select circuitry which is configured to operate as a finite-state machine and which is communicated with an external transmitter and an internal photodetector receiver and which is configured to enable the selection of the at least one biological sensor via a mode select unit responsive to electrical energy received from the solar cells; and wherein the biological sensor, its potentiostat interface, signal processing device and optical transmitter are configured to receive electrical energy from the rechargeable battery, and wherein the at least one biological sensor, signal processing device and optical transmitter are configured such that when the solar cells are receiving optical energy, the at least one biological sensor, signal processing device and optical transmitter are active and when the solar cells are not receiving optical energy, the at least one biological sensor, its potentiostat interface, signal processing device and optical transmitter are active for a predetermined limited time duration to prevent energy drain from the rechargeable battery.
-
Specification