# US 10,481,323 B2 · Physiologically responsive mechanically adaptive polymer optical fibers, production and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,481,323 B2 - Document ID: US10481323B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/112,580 - Filed: 2015-02-13 - Published: 2016-11-17 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2014-02-14 - Assignees: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg - Applicants: Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg - Inventors: Christoph Weder; Mehdi Jorfi; E. Johan Foster - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481323B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/02033: {Core or cladding made from organic material, e.g. polymeric material (G02B1/04 takes precedence)} - A61N 5/0601: {Apparatus for use inside the body} - A61N 5/0622: {Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue} - A61N 2005/0612: {using probes penetrating tissue; interstitial probes} - A61N 2005/063: {comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres} - A61N 2005/0659: {infrared} - A61N 2005/0662: {Visible light} - G02B 1/045: {Light guides} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract Physiologically responsive mechanically adaptive optical fibers that are suitable for optical interfacing with living organisms. The optical fibers are particularly suited for applications in optogenetics. Dry, stiff fibers display a desirable tensile storage modulus and can be readily inserted into biological and in particular cortical tissue. Exposure to conditions encountered in vivo results in reduction, often a drastic reduction in modulus. When coupled with a suitable light source, the construction can be utilized to stimulate neurons in vivo. Methods for producing and utilizing the optical fibers and devices including the optical fibers are disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A physiologically responsive mechanically adaptive optical fiber, comprising: a largely amorphous polymer, the optical fiber having a main body having a length between a first end and second end, wherein light can be transmitted along the length of the optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber has a first stiffness before exposure to conditions encountered in vivo, and upon exposure to conditions encountered in vivo the optical fiber exhibits a second stiffness lower than the first stiffness. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has a glass transition temperature above room temperature, and wherein the polymer exhibits a lower glass transition temperature upon exposure to conditions encountered in vivo. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the polymer has a glass transition temperature above room temperature, and wherein the polymer exhibits a lower glass transition temperature than the temperature encountered in vivo. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises one or more of polyvinyl alcohol, poly(vinyl acetate), partially hydrolyzed poly(vinyl acetate), poly(vinylbutyral), partially hydrolyzed poly(vinylbutyral), poly(acrylate), acrylate copolymer, polyester, poly(acrylic acid), poly(ethylene oxide), ethylene oxide copolymer, poly(propylene oxide), propylene oxide copolymer, polyamide, poly(acrylamide), poly(N-vinyl pyrrolidone), and poly(methacrylic acid). ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The optical fiber according to claim 4, wherein the polymer comprises polyvinyl alcohol. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein the polymer is chemically or physically cross-linked. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) The optical fiber according to any of claims 1 to 6 claim 1, wherein said first stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of equal or greater than 1 GPa, and wherein said second stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of less than 500 MPa. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein said first stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of greater than 2 GPa. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein said first stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of greater than 4 GPa. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein said first stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of greater than 6 GPa. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The optical fiber according to claim 7, wherein said second stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of less than 200 MPa. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The optical fiber according to claim 11, wherein said second stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of less than 100 MPa. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The optical fiber according to claim 11, wherein said second stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of less than 50 MPa. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The optical fiber according to claim 11, wherein said second stiffness is characterized by a tensile storage modulus of less than 10 MPa. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The optical fiber according to claim 1, wherein a propagation loss in the dry state is less than 1 dB/cm in a wavelength regime of 470-590 nm. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A stimulation device, comprising: the optical fiber according to claim 1, operatively connected to a light source such that a portion of the light from the light source can be conducted along the length of the optical fiber from a first end to a second end. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A method for stimulating neurons, comprising the steps of: obtaining the stimulation device according to claim 16; inserting the second end of the optical fiber into a human or animal brain; and delivering light from the light source to the brain through the optical fiber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method for producing an optical fiber according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: obtaining a solution comprising a largely amorphous polymer, spinning an optical fiber from the solution into a coagulation bath comprising a coagulant, removing the optical fiber from the bath; optionally orienting the optical fiber, crosslinking the polymer and annealing the optical fiber to produce the optical fiber.