Optically-connected implants and related systems and methods of use

• US 7,280,870 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2003
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brown University
• Original Assignee: Brown University
• Inventors: Flaherty, J. Christopher, Nurmikko, Arto V., Donoghue, John P., Patterson, William R. III
• Primary Examiner(s): DROESCH, KRISTEN L
• Application Number:
  US10/453,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20040015211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/37
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/24 Detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/372 Arrangements in connection with the implantation of stimulators
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/125 Bends, branchings or intersections
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2813 based on multimode interference effect, i.e. self-imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4249 comprising arrays of active devices and fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/105 the potential barrier being of the PIN type

Abstract

According to embodiments of the invention, one or more implants in a body may be connected with optical fibers for transmitting data and/or power to or from the implants. Aspects of the invention related to various embodiments of the actual implant as well as to various embodiments for connecting optical fibers to the implants.

Claims

1. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body,

an encapsulation covering substantially all of the first device to seal the first device from bodily fluids; and

an optical window associated with the first device and not covered by the encapsulation,

wherein a portion of the encapsulation is configured to mate with an optical fiber for optical coupling between the optical window and the optical fiber.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical window is configured to communicate at least one of data and power with the optical fiber.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical window is configured to communicate both data and power with the optical fiber.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a connector associated with an end of the optical fiber, the connector configured to mate with the portion of the encapsulation to align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a connector associated with an end of the optical fiber, the connector having a portion configured to receive the optical window and align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector includes at least one flange to engage the portion of the encapsulation and restrict removal of the connector from the encapsulation after engagement of the flange and the portion.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the connector is configured to attach to the portion of the encapsulation with a connecting member.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device includes an array of electrodes capable of sensing neural signals.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:

an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device; and

a second device configured for optical coupling to the optical fiber for transmission of at least one of data and power between the first device and the second device.

11. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body,

an encapsulation covering substantially all of the first device to seal the first device from bodily fluids;

an optical window associated with the first device and not covered by the encapsulation; and

a connector associated with an end of an optical fiber, the connector having a portion to receive the optical window and align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber,

wherein the connector includes at least one flange to engage a portion of the device and restrict removal of the connector from the device after engagement of the flange and the portion.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the connector is configured to mate with a portion of the encapsulation.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the first device includes an array of electrodes capable of sensing neural signals.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device; and

a second device configured for optical coupling to the optical fiber for transmission of at least one of data and power between the first device and the second device.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the optical window is configured to communicate at least one of data and power between the device and the optical fiber.

17. A system for treating a body, comprising:

a first device configured to be implanted within the body,

an encapsulation covering substantially all of the first device to seal the first device from bodily fluids;

an optical window associated with the first device and not covered by the encapsulation; and

a connector associated with an end of an optical fiber, the connector having a portion to receive the optical window and align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber,

wherein the connector is configured to attach to the device with a suture.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the connector is configured to mate with a portion of the encapsulation to align the optical window with the end of the optical fiber.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the first device includes an array of electrodes capable of sensing neural signals.

21. The system of claim 20, further comprising:

p1 an optical fiber configured for optical coupling to the optical window of the first device; and

a second device configured for optical coupling to the optical fiber for transmission of at least one of data and power between the first device and the second device.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the optical window is configured to communicate at least one of data and power between the device and the optical fiber.