Diagnostic system and method using radiant energy and implants

• US 6,442,409 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gholam A. Peyman
• Original Assignee: Gholam A. Peyman
• Inventors: Peyman, Gholam A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US09/532,957
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 600/310, 600/318-320, 600/407, 600/316, 600/473, 600/476, 600/558, 128/899
• US Class Current: 600/318
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14558 by polarisation

Abstract

A system for testing for the existence of a biomedical condition of an animal test subject having first and second devices for projecting radiant energy. The first device for projecting radiant energy projects a beam of radiant energy into and through the tissue of a portion of the animal test subject. The second device for projecting radiant energy is implanted in the body of the animal test subject and projects a second beam of radiant energy out of the body in response to the projected radiation of the first radiant energy source. The second device for projecting radiant energy can be a mirror that reflects the first beam of radiant energy or it can be a source of radiant energy, such as a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser, that emits a specific wavelength of light when activated by the first device for projecting radiant energy. A detector positioned outside the body and relative to the second device for projecting radiant energy detects the second beam of radiant energy. A processor in communication with the detector then compiles the information from the detector and calculates changes in the known wavelength of light after passage through the body of the animal test subject, thereby determining the existence of a biomedical condition.

Claims

1. A system for testing for the existence of a biomedical condition using radiant energy, comprising:

a radiant energy source for projecting radiation into and through the tissue of a portion of an animal test subject;

a light emitter sized and configured for implantation in the body of the animal test subject for emitting a known wavelength of light through the body when activated by said projected radiation of said radiant energy source;

a receiver including a detector positionable relative to said light emitter for detecting said known wavelength of light emitted therefrom; and

a processor in communication with said detector for calculating changes in said known wavelength of light after passage through the body of the animal test subject to determine the existence of a biomedical condition.

2. A system for testing according to claim 1, wherein

said light emitter is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

3. A system for testing according to claim 1, further comprising

a plurality of light emitters.

4. A system for testing according to claim 3, wherein

each of said plurality of light emitters is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

5. A system for testing according to claim 1, wherein

said projected radiation is selected from the group consisting of visible light and infrared light.

6. A system for testing according to claim 1, wherein

said light emitter is sized and configured for implantation in an eye of the test animal.

7. A system for testing according to claim 6, wherein

said light emitter is sized and configured for implantation on the iris of the eye.

8. A system for testing according to claim 6, wherein

said light emitter is sized and configured for implantation on the corneal stroma of the eye.

9. A system for testing according to claim 1, wherein

said processor is a spectroscope that analyzes the modulation of said known wavelength of light.

10. A system for testing for the existence of a biomedical condition using radiant energy, comprising:

an intraocular lens system having a lens portion and haptics sized and configured for implantation in an eye of an animal test subject;

a radiant energy source for projecting radiation into and through the cornea of said eye of said animal test subject;

a light emitter attached to said intraocular lens system for emitting a known wavelength of light through the eye when activated by said projected radiation of said radiant energy source; and

a receiver including a detector for detecting said known wavelength of light; and

a processor in communication with said detector for calculating changes in said known wavelength of light after passage through the eye of the animal test subject to determine the existence of a biomedical condition.

11. A system for testing according to claim 10, wherein

said light emitter is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

12. A system for testing according to claim 10, further comprising

a plurality of light emitters.

13. A system for testing according to claim 12, wherein

each of said plurality of light emitters is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

14. A system for testing according to claim 10, wherein

said projected radiation is selected from the group consisting of visible light and infrared light.

15. A system for testing according to claim 10, wherein

said light emitter is attached to the surface of said lens portion.

16. A system for testing according to claim 10, wherein

said at least one light emitter is embedded in the lens portion.

17. A system for testing according to claim 10, wherein

said light emitter is attached to the haptics of the intraocular lens system.

18. A method for determining a biomedical condition of an animal, the steps comprising

implanting, within the body of an animal test subject, a light emitter capable of emitting a measuring beam of light of a known wavelength,

projecting an activating beam of radiant energy through the body and onto the light emitter, to activate the light emitter and emit the measuring beam,

conducting the measuring beam out of the body,

detecting the measuring beam of a known wavelength of light, and

analyzing a modulation of the measuring beam of the known wavelength of light, thereby determining a biomedical condition in the body.

19. A method for determining a biomedical condition of an animal according to claim 18, wherein

the implanting step includes implanting a light emitter that is a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser.

20. A method for determining a biomedical condition of an animal according to claim 18, further comprising

the implanting step includes implanting a plurality of light emitters, wherein said plurality of light emitters are vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers.

21. A method for determining a biomedical condition of an animal according to claim 18, wherein

the activating beam is selected from the group consisting of visible light and infrared light.

22. A method for determining a biomedical condition of an animal according to claim 18, wherein

the implanting step includes the step of implanting the light emitter in an eye of the test animal.

23. A system for testing for the existence of a biomedical condition using radiant energy, comprising:

an intraocular lens system having a lens portion and haptics sized and configured for implantation in an eye of an animal test subject;

a radiant energy source for projecting radiation into and through the cornea of the eye of the animal test subject;

a reflective device attached to said intraocular lens system for reflecting said radiation out of the eye;

a receiver including a detector for detecting said reflected radiation; and

a processor in communication with said detector for calculating changes in said reflected radiation after passage through the body of the animal test subject to determine the existence of a biomedical condition.

24. A system for testing according to claim 23, wherein

said reflective device is at least one mirror.

25. A system for testing according to claim 24, wherein

said mirror is coupled to the surface of said lens portion.

26. A system for testing according to claim 24, wherein

said mirror is embedded in the lens portion.

27. A system for testing according to claim 24, wherein

said mirror is coupled to the haptics of the intraocular lens system.

28. A system for testing according to claim 23, further comprising

a plurality of reflective devices, wherein said plurality of reflective devices are a plurality of mirrors coupled to said intraocular lens system for reflecting radiation out of the eye.

29. A system for testing according to claim 28, wherein

said plurality of mirrors are coupled to the surface of said lens portion.

30. A system for testing according to claim 28, wherein

said plurality of mirrors are embedded in the lens portion.

31. A system for testing according to claim 28, wherein

said plurality of mirrors are coupled to the haptics of the intraocular lens system.

32. A system for testing according to claim 23, wherein

said radiant energy source is polarized.

33. A system for testing according to claim 32, wherein

said reflective device is combined with a device that repolarizes the radiant energy after the radiant energy is reflected off said reflective device.