Systems configured to transmit optical power signals transdermally out of a living subject, and devices and methods

• US 9,331,491 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Rivet, Dennis J., Sweeney, Elizabeth A., Wood, Lowell L. Jr., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bertram, Eric D.
• Application Number:
  US13/710,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20130099598A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,240 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37217 characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37223 Circuits for electromagnetic coupling
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 4/00 Circuit arrangements for mains or distribution networks not specified as ac or dc
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/30 using light, e.g. lasers
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/40 using two or more transmitting or receiving devices H02J50/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1141 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 13/005 Transmission systems in which the medium consists of the human body

Abstract

In an embodiment, a system includes an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject. The internal optical power transmitter includes a power source configured to provide electrical energy and an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source. The electrical-optical converter may be configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject. The system further includes an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals and at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals. Embodiments of methods, biocompatible electrical-optical converters, and internal optical power transmitters are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject, the internal optical power transmitter including,

a power source configured to provide electrical energy;

an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source, the electrical-optical converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject and having a power of at least about 10 μ

W; and

a beam steering device disposed in the internal optical power transmitter, the beam steering device positioned to receive one or more optical electrical signals from the electrical-optical converter and configured to selectively direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 10 W.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 10 μ

W to about 1 mW.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 1 mW to about 100 mW.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with the power at about 100 mW to about 1 W.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes an electricity generator configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject into the electrical energy.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the electricity generator includes at least one of a fluid-flow generator, a fluid-pressure generator, a muscle-motion generator, an acceleration-motion generator, or a thermal-electric generator.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the power source includes an energy storage device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device includes a battery.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the energy storage device includes a capacitive device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the target includes at least one of an optical-electrical converter, an optical-optical converter, an external beam-steering device, an optical-thermal converter, or focusing optics.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the beam steering device includes at least one of a diffraction grating, a micro-electro-mechanical scanner, an acoustic-optical device, an electro-optical device, a steerable mount supporting the electrical-optical converter, or a steerable mount supporting one or more optical elements.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter is enclosed in a biocompatible protective packaging.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes focusing optics configured to focus the one or more optical power signals prior to transmission out of the living subject.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the focusing optics are configured to focus the one or more optical power signals a selected amount to at least partially account for optical spreading that occurs as the one or more optical power signals pass through tissue of the living subject.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the focusing optics are configured to focus the one or more optical power signals a selected amount to at least partially confine the one or more optical power signals to a receiving aperture.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the focusing optics include at least one of a reflective element or an at least one lens.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the at least one lens includes at least one of a diffractive lens or a refractive lens.

19. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an external optical-electrical converter configured to convert the one or more optical power signals into one or more electrical power signals; and

at least one external device configured to be operably coupled to the external optical-electrical converter and powered by the one or more electrical power signals.

20. The system of claim of claim 19, wherein the external optical-electrical converter is integrated with the at least one external device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one external device includes a personal electronic device.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes a controller configured to receive instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject and direct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals with one or more selected optical output parameters.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the one or more selected optical output parameters include wavelength, start time, duration, end time, power, or time-integrated power of the one or more optical power signals.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more optical power signals exhibit at least one of a selected wavelength, direction, angular spread, start time, duration, end time, power, or time-integrated power.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with at least one infrared wavelength.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical-optical converter is configured to output the one or more optical power signals with at least one visible wavelength.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal optical power transmitter includes one or more power inputs configured to receive power from other than the power source.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power converter configured to modify the electrical energy prior to receipt by the electrical-optical converter.

30. A system, comprising:

an internal optical power transmitter configured to be disposed within a living subject, the internal optical power transmitter including;

a power source configured to provide electrical energy; and

an electrical-optical converter operably coupled to the power source, the electrical-optical converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical energy into one or more optical power signals transdermally transmittable out of the living subject;

a beam steering device disposed in the internal optical power transmitter and positioned to receive the one or more optical power signals from the electrical-optical transmitter, the beam steering device configured to direct the one or more optical power signals to a target located externally to the living subject;

control circuitry operably coupled to the beam steering device and the electrical-optical converter, the control circuitry configured to receive instructions transmitted transdermally into the living subject and direct the electrical-optical converter to output the one or more optical power signals; and

wherein the beam steering device is configured to selectively steer the one or more optical power signals transdermally out of the living subject responsive to control from the control electrical circuitry.