Electromagnetic interference immune tissue invasive system

• US 6,850,805 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Biophan Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biophan Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: MacDonald, Stuart G., Connelly, Patrick R., Weiner, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Getzow, Scott M.
• Application Number:
  US10/077,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20020133216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 607 1-156
• US Class Current: 607/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/056 Transvascular endocardial electrode systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/086 Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] compatible leads
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3718 Monitoring of or protection against external electromagnetic fields or currents
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37512 Pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/285 Invasive instruments, e.g. catheters or biopsy needles, specially adapted for tracking, guiding or visualization by NMR
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/288 Provisions within MR facilities for enhancing safety during MR, e.g. reduction of the specific absorption rate [SAR], detection of ferromagnetic objects in the scanner room

Abstract

An electromagnetic immune tissue invasive system includes a primary device housing. The primary device housing having a control circuit therein. A shielding is formed around the primary device housing to shield the primary device housing and any circuits therein from electromagnetic interference. A lead system transmits and receives signals between the primary device housing. The lead system is either a fiber optic system or an electrically shielded electrical lead system.

Claims

1. An implantable cable desired for transmission of a signal to and from a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic bundle having a surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material, said fiber optic bundle being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously, said fiber optic bundle having a distal end for implantation at or adjacent to the body tissue and a proximal end;

said proximal end being adapted to be coupled to and direct an optical signal source;

said distal end being adapted to be coupled to an optical stimulator;

said fiber optic bundle delivering an optical signal intended to cause an optical stimulator coupled to said distal end to deliver an excitatory stimulus to a selected body tissue, the stimulus being causing the selected body tissue to function as desired;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic bundle into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

2. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said distal end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor.

3. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fiber optic bundle delivering an optical signal from a coupled sensor to said proximal end.

4. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photoresponsive device is a small surface area photodiode and a large surface area photodiode, said small surface area photodiode sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said large surface area photodiode converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

5. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photoresponsive device is an array of photodiodes having a first section of photodiodes and a second section of photodiodes, said first section of photodiodes sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said second section of photodiodes converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

6. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said photoresponsive device includes a charge transfer control circuit and a photodiode, said charge transfer control circuit controlling a discharging of a photodiode capacitance in two separate discharge periods during an integration period of the photodiode such that a first discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the sensing of variations in the light energy to produce control signals and a second discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

7. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first discharge period is completed before the second discharge period.

8. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first discharge period is a shorter time duration that the time duration of the second discharge period.

9. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein the integration period corresponds to the sampling period of the light to derive control data.

10. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 6, wherein during the first discharge period, a control signal sensing circuit is connected to said photodiode, and during the second discharge period, said charge accumulating device is connected to said photodiode.

11. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge accumulating device is a capacitor.

12. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said charge accumulating device is a rechargeable battery.

13. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discharge control device is a controllable switch.

14. An implantable cable for transmission of a signal to and from a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic bundle having a surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material, said fiber optic bundle being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously, said fiber optic bundle having a distal end for implantation at or adjacent to the body tissue and a proximal end;

said proximal end being adapted to be coupled to an optical signal receiver;

said distal end being adapted to be coupled to a sensor;

said fiber optic bundle delivering an optical signal from a coupled sensor intended to cause an optical signal receiver coupled to said proximal end to monitor characteristics of a selected body tissue;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic lead into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

15. An implantable cable for the transmission of power to a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic lead having a surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material and being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously;

said fiber optic lead having,

a proximal end being adapted to be coupled to an optical portal, a coupled optical portal being able to receive light from a source external to the vertebrate, and

a distal end being adapted to be coupled to a photoelectric receiver, a coupled photoelectric receiver being able to convert light into electrical energy for use at said distal end;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic lead into electrical energy, and for sensing variation in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

16. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said distal end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor.

17. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 16, wherein said fiber optic lead delivering an optical signal from a coupled sensor to said proximal end.

18. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said photoresponsive device is a small surface area photodiode and a large surface area photodiode, said small surface area photodiode sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said large surface area photodiode converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

19. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said photoresponsive device is an array of photodiodes having a first section of photodiodes and a second section of photodiodes, said first section of photodiodes sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said second section of photodiodes converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

20. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said photoresponsive device includes a charge transfer control circuit and a photodiode, said charge transfer control circuit controlling a discharging of a photodiode capacitance in two separate discharge periods during an integration period of the photodiode such that a first discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the sensing of variations in the light energy to produce control signals and a second discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

21. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first discharge period is completed before the second discharge period.

22. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 20, wherein the first discharge period is a shorter time duration that the time duration of the second discharge period.

23. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 20, wherein the integration period corresponds to the sampling period of the light to derive control data.

24. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 20, wherein during the first discharge period, a control signal sensing circuit is connected to said photodiode, and during the second discharge period, said charge accumulating device is connected to said photodiode.

25. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said charge accumulating device is a capacitor.

26. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said charge accumulating device is a rechargeable battery.

27. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 15, wherein said discharge control device is a controllable switch.

28. An implantable cable for the transmission of power to a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic lead having a surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material and being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously;

said fiber optic lead having,

a distal end being adapted to be coupled to a sensor, a coupled sensor being able to produce a light signal based on a measured characteristic of a selected body tissue region, and

a proximal end being adapted to be coupled to an optical portal, said optical portal being able to receive light produced by a coupled sensor;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic lead into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

29. An implantable cable for the transmission of power to a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic lead having a surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material and being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously;

said fiber optic lead having,

a proximal end being adapted to be coupled to an optical portal, a coupled optical portal being able to receive light from a light source, and

a distal end being adapted to be coupled to a photoelectric receiver, a coupled photoelectric receiver being able to convert light into electrical energy for use at said distal end;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic lead into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

30. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said distal end is adapted to be coupled to a sensor.

31. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 30, wherein said fiber optic lead delivering an optical signal from a coupled sensor to said proximal end.

32. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said photoresponsive device is a small surface area photodiode and a large surface area photodiode, said small surface area photodiode sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said large surface area photodiode converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

33. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said photoresponsive device is an array of photodiodes having a first section of photodiodes and a second section of photodiodes, said first section of photodiodes sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said second section of photodiodes converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

34. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said photoresponsive device includes a charge transfer control circuit and a photodiode, said charge transfer control circuit controlling a discharging of a photodiode capacitance in two separate discharge periods during an integration period of the photodiode such that a first discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the sensing of variations in the light energy to produce control signals and a second discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

35. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 34, wherein the first discharge period is completed before the second discharge period.

36. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 34, wherein the first discharge period is a shorter time duration that the time duration of the second discharge period.

37. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 34, wherein the integration period corresponds to the sampling period of the light to derive control data.

38. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 34, wherein during the first discharge period, a control signal sensing circuit is connected to said photodiode, and during the second discharge period, said charge accumulating device is connected to said photodiode.

39. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said charge accumulating device is a capacitor.

40. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said charge accumulating device is a rechargeable battery.

41. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 29, wherein said discharge control device is a controllable switch.

42. An implantable cable for the transmission of power to a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:

a fiber optic lead having a cylindrical surface of non-immunogenic, physiologically compatible material and being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously;

said fiber optic lead having,

a proximal end coupled to an electro-optical source, said electro-optical source converting electrical energy into light energy, and

a distal end coupled to a photoelectric receiver, said photoelectric receiver converting light energy into electrical energy for use at said distal end;

a photoresponsive device for converting the light transmitted by said fiber optic lead into electrical energy, and for sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals;

a charge accumulating device for receiving and storing the electrical energy produced by the photoresponsive device; and

a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, for directing the stored electrical energy from the charge accumulating device to a cardiac assist device associated with a heart.

43. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said photoresponsive device is a small surface area photodiode and a large surface area photodiode, said small surface area photodiode sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said large surface area photodiode converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

44. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said photoresponsive device is an array of photodiodes having a first section of photodiodes and a second section of photodiodes, said first section of photodiodes sensing variations in the light energy to produce control signals, said second section of photodiodes converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

45. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said photoresponsive device includes a charge transfer control circuit and a photodiode, said charge transfer control circuit controlling a discharging of a photodiode capacitance in two separate discharge periods during an integration period of the photodiode such that a first discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the sensing of variations in the light energy to produce control signals and a second discharge period of the photodiode capacitance provides the converting the light transmitted by said photonic lead system into electrical energy.

46. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 45, wherein the first discharge period is completed before the second discharge period.

47. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 45, wherein the first discharge period is a shorter time duration that the time duration of the second discharge period.

48. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 45, wherein the integration period corresponds to the sampling period of the light to derive control data.

49. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 45, wherein during the first discharge period, a control signal sensing circuit is connected to said photodiode, and during the second discharge period, said charge accumulating device is connected to said photodiode.

50. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said charge accumulating device is a capacitor.

51. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said charge accumulating device is a rechargeable battery.

52. The implantable cable as claimed in claim 42, wherein said discharge control device is a controllable switch.