# US 2019/0168022 A1 · Implantable medical device comprising an optical unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168022 A1 - Document ID: US20190168022A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/326,983 - Filed: 2016-10-10 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-10 - Assignees: Synergia Medical - Applicants: Synergia Medical - Inventors: Pascal DOGUET; Benoit OLBRECHTS; Carmen GODFRAIND; Aurelie DE COCK DE RAMEYEN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168022A1 ## CPC - A61N 5/0622: {Optical stimulation for exciting neural tissue} - A61N 1/36125: {Details of circuitry or electric components} - A61N 1/36135: {using physiological parameters} - A61N 1/3754: {Feedthroughs} - G02B 6/4204: {the coupling comprising intermediate optical elements, e.g. lenses, holograms (encapsulated active devices H01S5/02208)} - G02B 6/4228: {Passive alignment, i.e. without a detection of the degree of coupling or the position of the elements (G02B6/4234 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/4246: {Bidirectionally operating package structures} - G02B 6/4248: {Feed-through connections for the hermetical passage of fibres through a package wall (see provisionally also G02B6/4428)} - G02B 6/4251: {Sealed packages (G02B6/4248 takes precedence)} - A61N 5/0601: {Apparatus for use inside the body} - A61N 2005/063: {comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres} - G02B 6/4292: {the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements} - 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) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An implantable medical device (1) is detailed that includes a housing (2) enclosing an electronic circuit and source of power, and an optical unit (3) sealingly coupled to the housing, the optical unit including monolithic block unit (4) made of a transparent ceramic material and comprising: a thin window (4w) defined by an inner surface and an outer surface, an outer mating structure (4om) for coupling a fibre optic to the monolithic block, and an inner mating structure (4im) for permanently coupling a light unit, and a light unit (5) rigidly mounted in the inner mating structure (4im) of the monolithic block unit. The light unit includes a light element including one or more of an inner light source (5L), and/or a photodetector (5d), the light element and a fibre optic engaged in the outer mating structure are in alignment with a corresponding reference point (4r) located on the thin window. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable medical device (1) comprising: (a) a housing (2) defining an inner volume separated from an outer environment, and enclosing an electronic circuit and source of power, and (b) an optical unit (3) sealingly coupled to the housing, said optical unit comprising: a monolithic block unit (4) made of a transparent ceramic material which is transparent to wavelengths comprised between 300 and 2200 nm, and comprising: a thin window (4w) defined by an inner surface facing the inner volume of the housing and an outer surface facing the outer environment, an outer mating structure (4om) located on the side of the outer surface of the thin window, for coupling an outer fibre optic (9) in alignment with a corresponding reference point (4r) of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, and an inner mating structure (4im) located on the side of the inner surface of the thin window, for permanently coupling a light unit (5), and a light unit (5) comprising a light element including one or more of an inner light source (5L), and/or photodetector (5d), and/or inner fibre optic, said light unit being rigidly mounted in the inner mating structure (4im) of the monolithic block unit, such that one of the inner light source (5L), and/or photodetector (5d), and/or inner fibre optic is in alignment with said corresponding reference point (4r) of the inner or outer surface of the thin window. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the thin window (4w) comprises a portion facing the light element having a thickness of not more than 2000 μm, preferably not more than 1000 μm, more preferably of not more than 500 μm and wherein said portion preferably has a transmittance of at least 75% for wavelengths comprised between 300 and 2200 nm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, comprising a micro-optics component (4L) for modifying the properties of a light beam which is either emitted by the inner light source in the direction of the outer surface, or emitted by an external light source in the direction of the inner surface and of the photodetector or inner fibre optic. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The implantable medical device according to claim 3, wherein the micro-optics component is an integral part of the inner or outer surface of the thin window and/or is rigidly fixed to the light unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The implantable medical device according to claim 4, wherein the corresponding reference point (4r) is located on the micro-optics component (4L) which is integral to the inner or outer surface of the thin window. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed by at least a main housing element (2m) and a secondary element (2s) sealed to the main housing element by a secondary joint (7s), and wherein: (a) The optical unit (3) is an integral part of either the main housing element (2m) or the secondary element (2s), or (b) The optical unit (3) is sealingly coupled by a hermetic joint (7) to an opening (2o) provided either in the main housing element (2m) or the secondary element (2s), and wherein the hermetic joint (7) and/or the secondary joint (7s) are formed by brazing, by diffusion bonding, by eutectic bonding, by gluing (adhesive bonding), or by welding including metallization of the surfaces to be welded followed either by direct welding or by using intermediate metals including titanium or gold. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the light element is aligned with the corresponding reference point of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, with a tolerance of less than 30 μm. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, lacking a feedthrough. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the transparent ceramic material forming the monolithic block unit is selected from: fused silica, borosilicate, spinel, sapphire, or yttrium oxide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A kit-of-parts comprising: (a) an implantable medical device according to claim 1, and (b) a fibre optic (9), comprising a proximal end provided with a connector (9c) mating the outer mating structure (4om) of the monolithic block, such that when connected to said outer mating structure, the fibre optic is in alignment with the corresponding reference point (4r) of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, with a tolerance of less than 50 μm. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The kit-of-parts according to claim 10, wherein the proximal end of the fibre optic is provided with a micro-optics component for modifying the properties of a light beam which is either emitted by the inner light source towards the fibre optic, or transmitted from the fibre optic towards the photodetector (5d) or inner fibre optic. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The kit-of-parts according to claim 10, wherein the fibre optic comprises a distal end provided either with, (A) an electrodes unit, said electrodes unit comprising: (a) a photovoltaic cell (9pv) able to convert the light energy transported by the fibre optic into electrical current, and (b) at least two electrodes (9e) electrically connected to the photovoltaic cell; or (B) A micro-optics device for aiming an emitted light beam towards a target tissue. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An implantable medical assembly comprising: (a) an implantable medical device according to claim 1, and (b) a fibre optic, comprising a proximal end provided with a connector (9c) mating and engaged in the outer mating structure (4om) of the monolithic block, wherein the fibre optic is in alignment with the corresponding reference point of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, with a tolerance of less than 50 μm, and, wherein the light element is in alignment with said corresponding reference point of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, with a tolerance of less than 30 μm. ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 3) The implantable medical device according to claim 3, wherein the micro-optics component is an integral part of the inner or outer surface of the thin window and/or is rigidly fixed to the inner light source. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implantable medical device according to claim 1, wherein the light element is aligned with the corresponding reference point of the inner or outer surface of the thin window, with a tolerance of less than 10 μm.