Patent ID: 6760628
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: A61N,G01R

Abstract:
An implantable cable for the transmission of signals to and from a body tissue of a vertebrate, comprising:a fiber optic lead having a surface of non-immunogenic physiologically compatible material and being capable of being permanently implanted in a body cavity or subcutaneously; said fiber optic lead having a distal end for implantation at or adjacent to the body tissue and a proximal end; said fiber optic lead including a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber; said first optical fiber having, a proximal end coupled to an optical signal source, and a distal end coupled to an optical stimulator; said optical signal source generating an optical signal intended to cause said optical stimulator located at a distal end to deliver an excitatory stimulus to a selected body tissue, the stimulus being causing the selected body tissue to function as desired; and said second optical fiber having, a distal end coupled to a sensor, and a proximal end coupled to a device responsive to an optical signal delivered by said second optical fiber; said sensor generating an optical signal to represent a state of a function of the selected body tissue to provide feedback to affect the activity of said optical signal source; said optical stimulator in said first optical fiber including, a photoresponsive device to convert the light transmitted by said first optical fiber into electrical energy and to sense variations in the light energy to produce control signals, a charge accumulating device to receive and store the electrical energy produced by said photoresponsive device, and a discharge control device, responsive to the control signals, to direct the stored electrical energy from said charge accumulating device to deliver an excitatory stimulus to a selected body tissue, the stimulus being causing the selected body tissue to function as desired.