Optical isolation element for implantable sensor

• US 9,743,869 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2015
• Issued: 08/29/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated (Senseonics Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated (Senseonics Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Caban, Allan
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US14/676,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20150282740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0233 Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0238 Optical sensor arrangements for performing transmission measurements on body tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/162 Capsule shaped sensor housings, e.g. for swallowing or implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/185 Optical shielding, e.g. baffles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0071 by measuring fluorescence emission
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6861 Capsules, e.g. for swallowing or implanting

Abstract

An optical isolation element is provided on an optical sensor comprising a light source, at least one photodetector, and indicator material that emits light that is detected by the photodetector when optically excited by the light source. The optical isolation element limits the optical paths by which light may be transmitted by the light source, thereby limiting exposure of the excitation light source to regions of interest. The optical isolation element also limits the optical paths by which light may be transmitted to the photodetector, thereby limiting exposure of the photodetector to light from extraneous sources.

Claims

1. A sensor for detecting the presence and/or concentration of a substance of interest comprising:

at least one excitation light source;

indicator material positioned and oriented with respect to said excitation light source to receive excitation light emitted from said excitation light source and configured to emit an optical signal when excited by the excitation light source and when contacted by the substance of interest;

one or more optical detector elements positioned and oriented with respect to said indicator material to receive at least a portion of the optical signal emitted by the indicator material; and

an optical isolation element partially surrounding said at least one excitation light source and said one or more optical detector elements and formed of an optical isolation material configured to substantially prevent the passage of light through the optical isolation material, said optical isolation element being positioned and oriented with respect to said at least one excitation light source, said one or more optical detector elements, and said indicator material and including an opening formed in the optical isolation material so as to permit at least a portion of the light emitted by the excitation light source to exit the optical isolation element and impinge upon the indicator material and to permit at least a portion of the light emitted by the indicator material to enter the optical isolation element and impinge upon said optical detector element.

2. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a housing enclosing said at least one light source, said one or more optical detector elements, and said optical isolation element, wherein said indicator material is disposed on or embedded in at least a portion of said housing.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein said optical isolation element is at least partially shaped to conform to an inner surface of said housing.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein said housing has a cylindrical shape, and said optical isolation element comprises first and second end walls that are generally parallel to each other and oriented so as to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said housing and first and second side walls, each extending between said first and second end walls and each being curved so as to conform to a curvature of said housing.

5. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said optical isolation material is an opaque material.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein said optical isolation material is a material selected from the group consisting of:

plastic, metal, acrylic, glass, porcelains, epoxies, Delrin, or nylon.

7. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said optical isolation element comprises first and second opposed end walls and first and second opposed side walls.

8. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a planar substrate on which said at least one light source and said one or more optical detector elements are mounted, wherein said optical isolation element is cooperatively attached to said substrate so as to substantially prevent light from passing between said optical isolation element and said substrate.

9. The sensor of claim 1, wherein gaps between said optical isolation element and other components of the sensor are filled with opaque materials.