US 2003/0195570 A1 · MRI-compatible medical device with passive generation of optical sensing signals

Abstract

An optical sense signal generator for medical device's having a photonic catheter containing optical conductors conducting light energy in two directions between electronics at a catheter proximal end and electrical stimulation and sensing components at a catheter distal end. An optical unit receives light delivered from the catheter proximal end and transmits a first portion of the light while diverting a second portion of the light. The transmitted light is fed to an opto-electrical converter for conversion into electrical stimulation signals. The diverted light is directed to one or more optical modulators that modulate the diverted light output under an applied electrical signal. An electrical circuit generates electrical sense signals corresponding to one or more sensed physiological conditions and provides the signals to the optical modulator(s). This results in modulation of the diverted light output into optical sense signals that are transmitted to the catheter proximal end.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims30

Dependent claims

An optical sense signal generator for photonic pacemakers and other optoelectric medical stimulation equipment and adapted to operate at the distal end of an implantable photonic catheter having one or more optical conductors for conducting light energy in two directions between electronics at a proximal end of the catheter and electrical stimulation and sensing components at the catheter distal end, said optical sense signal generator comprising:

an optical unit adapted to receive a light input delivered from said catheter proximal end by one of said optical conductors and to transmit a first portion of said light input as a transmitted light output to an opto-electrical converter for conversion into electrical stimulation signals while diverting a second portion of said light input as a diverted light output;
an optical modulator positioned to receive said diverted light output and adapted to modulate said diverted light output under an applied electrical signal;
an electrical circuit in said sense signal generator, said electrical circuit being connected to an electrical sensing component at said catheter distal end and adapted to generate an electrical sense signal corresponding to a physiological condition to be sensed by
said sensing component;
and
said electrical circuit being connected to provide said electrical sense signal to said optical modulator in order to modulate said diverted light output into a sensing optical signal.

3 more elements

A photonic pacemaker having a photonic catheter containing one or more optical conductors for conducting light energy in two directions between electronics at a proximal end of said catheter and electrical stimulation and sensing components at a distal end of said catheter, comprising:

an optical sense signal generator located at said catheter distal end;
an optical unit in said sense signal generator adapted to receive a light input delivered from said catheter proximal end by one of said optical conductors and to transmit a first portion of said light input as a transmitted light output to an opto-electrical converter for conversion into electrical stimulation signals while diverting a second portion of said light input as a diverted light output;
an optical modulator in said sense signal generator positioned to receive said diverted light output and adapted to modulate said diverted light output under an applied electrical signal;
an electrical circuit in said sense signal generator, said electrical circuit being connected to an electrical sensing component at said catheter distal end and adapted to generate an electrical sense signal corresponding to a physiological condition to be sensed by said sensing component;
and
said electrical circuit being connected to provide said electrical sense signal to said optical modulator in order to modulate said diverted light output into a sensing optical signal.

3 more elements

An opto-electric medical stimulation and sensing system having a photonic catheter containing one or more optical conductors for conducting light energy in two directions between electronics at a proximal end of said catheter and electrical stimulation and sensing components at a distal end of said catheter, comprising:

an optical sense signal generator located at said catheter distal end;
an optical unit in said sense signal generator adapted to receive a light input delivered from said catheter proximal end by one of said optical conductors and to transmit a first portion of said light input as a transmitted light output to an opto-electrical converter for conversion into electrical stimulation signals while diverting a second portion of said light input as a diverted light output;
an optical modulator in said sense signal generator positioned to receive said diverted light output and being adapted to modulate said diverted light output under an applied electrical signal;
an electrical circuit in said sense signal generator, said electrical circuit being connected to an electrical sensing component at said catheter distal end and adapted to generate an electrical sense signal corresponding to a physiological condition to be sensed by said sensing component;
and
said electrical circuit being connected to provide said electrical sense signal to said optical modulator in order to modulate said reflected light output into a sensing optical signal.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,848 words

Summary966 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to photonic pacemakers designed for compatibility with MRI diagnostic equipment, and to other opto-electric medical stimulation and sensing equipment. More particularly, the invention concerns an MRI-compatible medical device with passive generation of optical sensing signals.

#2. Description of Prior Art

Brief description of the drawings7 figures

#The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying Drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a partial diagrammatic side view showing the distal end of a photonic catheter that incorporates an optical sense signal generation system in accordance with the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an optical assembly forming part of the optical sense signal generation system of FIG. 1;

Detailed description3,682 words

#Turning now to the Drawings wherein like reference numerals signify like elements in all of the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a passive optical sense signal generation system 10 located at the distal end of an implantable photonic catheter 12. As will be described in more detail below, the photonic catheter 12 is operatively connected to a photonic pacemaker or other opto-electric medical stimulation/sensing device (not shown in FIG. 1). Such devices may include, but are not limited to, optically driven defibrillators, neural stimulators, and other medical equipment designed to perform body tissue stimulation and/or sensing functions using optical transmission signals.

#The catheter 12 is preferably has a diameter no larger than 5 millimeters, which should be suitable for cardiac implantation. For neuro-stimulation applications, the catheter 12 should be smaller. The catheter 12 has at least one, and preferably several optical conductors (such as optical glass fibers) for conducting light energy in two directions between electronics at a proximal end of the catheter and electrical stimulation and sensing components at the catheter's distal end. The electronics at the catheter proximal end may be implanted within a patient's body or may be external to the body. The catheter distal end comprises optical and opto-electronic components, electronic circuitry and electrodes that provide electrical interfaces to body tissue.

#Three optical conductors 14, 16 and 18 are shown by way of example in FIG. 1. The optical conductor 14 is adapted to carry optical signals in a downstream direction from the catheter proximal end to the catheter distal end. The optical conductors 16 and 18 are adapted to carry optical signals in an upstream direction from the catheter distal end to the catheter proximal end. All of the optical conductors are encased in a flexible sheath 20 that is made from a material that is biocompatible and non-electrically conductive, such as silicone rubber.

MRI-compatible medical device with passive generation of optical sensing signals

Life of this patent

MRI-compatible medical device with passive generation of optical sensing signals

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims30

Description4,848 words

Drawings

Description4,848 words

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent