Robust powering of implantable biosensor platform

• US 9,936,876 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2012
• Issued: 04/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Optoelectronics Systems Consulting Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Optoelectronics Systems Consulting Incorporated
• Inventors: Jain, Faquir Chand, Papadimitrakopoulos, Fotios
• Primary Examiner(s): Winakur, Eric
• Assistant Examiner(s): Fardanesh, Marjan
• Application Number:
  US13/421,513
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,217 Days
• Field of Search: 600310-344
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence

Abstract

An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body is provided, wherein the implantable device includes a receiver for receiving electromagnetic energy and converting the electromagnetic energy into electrical energy; a storage capacitor associated with the receiver such that the electrical energy from the receiver is stored in the storage capacitor; a biological sensor; a processing device; and a transmitter, wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured to receive electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and wherein the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are configured such that when the receiver is receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive and when the receiver is not receiving electromagnetic energy, the biological sensor, processing device and transmitter are inactive.

Claims

1. An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body, the implantable device comprising:

a plurality of solar cells, wherein the plurality of solar cells include at least two arrays, and wherein the at least two arrays include cells connected in series and wherein the at least two arrays are connected in parallel and configured to receive optical energy from an optical source located in an external unit and convert the optical energy into electrical energy;

a storage capacitor associated with the plurality of solar cells such that the electrical energy is received by and stored in the storage capacitor;

a biological sensor;

a mode select configured to receive commands from an external unit;

a sensor potentiostat interface;

a signal processing device;

a multiplexer unit;

an optical transmitter; and

an electronic driver, wherein the mode select unit receives commands from the external unit in the form of optical energy, and wherein a first internal photodetector receiver is located on the implantable device and configured to receive the commands and convert the commands into electrical signals, and wherein the mode select is configured to operate as a finite state machine, and where in the mode select enables selection of at least one biological sensor, and wherein the electronic driver is configured to receive signals from the multiplexer unit, and wherein the multiplexer unit is configured to receive electrical signals from the signal processing device, and wherein the multiplexer unit is connected to a logic block and wherein logic block is enabled by the mode select unit, and wherein the biological sensor and its potentiostat interface, signal processing device and optical transmitter are configured to receive the electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and

wherein the biological sensor and signal processing device are configured such that during a first interval of time when the plurality of solar cells are receiving optical energy, the biological sensor and signal processing device are active and transmitting the biological information via the optical transmitter,

and when the plurality of solar cells are not receiving optical energy, the biological sensor, signal processing device and transmitter are active for a different second interval of time,

the duration of the second interval of time being determined by a discharging time constant of the storage capacitor, wherein the biological information is relatively free from interference from the optical source that powers the solar cells.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, where the mode select is further configured to receive code generated by at least one of,

the charging and discharging of the storage capacitor without the use of a first internal photodetector, and

an external transmitter located in the external unit and configured to send the code optically for the finite state machine, and wherein the first internal photodetector receiver is further configured to receive the code.

3. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the optical source is located in the external unit and includes at least one of a light-emitting diode, a laser diode, a fluorescent lamp and an incandescent lamp.

4. An implantable device for measuring biological information of a body, the implantable device comprising:

a plurality of solar cells, wherein the plurality of solar cells include at least two arrays, and wherein the at least two arrays include cells connected in series and wherein the at least two arrays are connected in parallel and configured to receive optical energy from an optical source located in an external unit and convert the optical energy into electrical energy;

a storage capacitor associated with the plurality of solar cells to receive the electrical energy, such that the electrical energy is stored in the storage capacitor;

a photodetector circuit configured to receive optical energy from the optical source;

an electronic switch, wherein the electronic switch is connected to the plurality of solar cells and the photodetector circuit and activated by the photodetector circuit,

wherein when the optical energy received from the optical source is not sufficient, the electronic switch disconnects the storage capacitors from the plurality of solar cells,

a biological sensor;

a mode select configured to receive commands from an external unit;

a sensor potentiostat interface;

a signal processing device;

a multiplexer unit;

an optical transmitter; and

an electronic driver, wherein the mode select unit receives commands from the external unit in the form of optical energy, and wherein a first internal photodetector receiver is located on the implantable device and configured to receive the commands and convert the commands into electrical signals, and wherein the mode select is configured to operate as a finite state machine, and where in the mode select enables selection of at least one biological sensor, and wherein the electronic driver is configured to receive signals from the multiplexer unit, and wherein the multiplexer unit is configured to receive electrical signals from the signal processing device, and wherein the multiplexer unit is connected to a logic block and wherein logic block is enabled by the mode select unit, wherein the biological sensor and its potentiostat interface, signal processing device and optical transmitter are configured to receive the electrical energy from the storage capacitor, and

wherein the biological sensor and signal processing device are configured such that during a first interval of time when the plurality of solar cells are receiving optical energy, the biological sensor and signal processing device are active and transmitting the biological information via the optical transmitter,

and when the plurality of solar cells are not receiving optical energy, the biological sensor, signal processing device and transmitter are active for a different second interval of time,

the duration of the second interval of time being determined by a discharging time constant of the storage capacitor, wherein the biological information is relatively free from interference from the optical source that powers the solar cells,

wherein the storage capacitor is in series with circuits that generate voltage pulses that are used to generate clock signals that are used to control the output of the mode select, and wherein the circuits are used to enable the electronic driver.