Patent Publication Number: US-2013249310-A1

Title: Systems configured to deliver energy out of a living subject, and related appartuses and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications or claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications, for any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s)). 
     RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/283,911, entitled SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO TRANSMIT OPTICAL POWER SIGNALS TRANSDERMALLY OUT OF A LIVING SUBJECT, AND DEVICES AND METHODS, naming RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, DENNIS J. RIVET, ELIZABETH A. SWEENEY, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR., AND VICTORIA Y. H. WOOD as inventors, filed 15 Sep. 2008, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/316,811, entitled SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO LOCATE A PHOTONIC DEVICE DISPOSED IN A LIVING SUBJECT, AND RELATED APPARATUSES AND METHODS, naming RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, DENNIS J. RIVET, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR., AND VICTORIA Y. H. WOOD as inventors, filed 15 Dec. 2008, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
     For purposes of the USPTO extra-statutory requirements, the present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/378,152, entitled SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO POWER AT LEAST ONE DEVICE DISPOSED IN A LIVING SUBJECT, AND RELATED APPARATUSES AND METHODS, naming RODERICK A. HYDE, MURIEL Y. ISHIKAWA, DENNIS J. RIVET, LOWELL L. WOOD, JR., AND VICTORIA Y. H. WOOD as inventors, filed 11 Feb. 2009, which is currently co-pending, or is an application of which a currently co-pending application is entitled to the benefit of the filing date. 
    
    
     The United States Patent Office (USPTO) has published a notice to the effect that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs require that patent applicants reference both a serial number and indicate whether an application is a continuation or continuation-in-part. Stephen G. Kunin, Benefit of Prior-Filed Application, USPTO Official Gazette Mar. 18, 2003, available at http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/com/sol/og/2003/week11/patbene.htm. The present Applicant Entity (hereinafter “Applicant”) has provided above a specific reference to the application(s) from which priority is being claimed as recited by statute. Applicant understands that the statute is unambiguous in its specific reference language and does not require either a serial number or any characterization, such as “continuation” or “continuation-in-part,” for claiming priority to U.S. patent applications. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Applicant understands that the USPTO&#39;s computer programs have certain data entry requirements, and hence Applicant is designating the present application as a continuation-in-part of its parent applications as set forth above, but expressly points out that such designations are not to be construed in any way as any type of commentary and/or admission as to whether or not the present application contains any new matter in addition to the matter of its parent application(s). 
     All subject matter of the Related Applications and of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Applications is incorporated herein by reference to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a system includes an electrical-power source configured to be disposed within a living subject and provide electrical energy. The system further includes an internal power transmitter configured to be disposed within the living subject, and coupled to the electrical power source to receive at least a portion of the electrical energy therefrom. The internal power transmitter may be further configured to deliver energy out of the living subject, with the energy having a power of at least about 10 μW, in response to receiving the at least a portion of the electrical energy. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes storing electrical energy in an energy-storage device disposed within a living subject. The method further includes, in response to an internal power transmitter receiving at least a portion of the electrical energy, delivering energy out of the living subject from the internal power transmitter to an external device located external to the living subject, with the energy having a power of at least about 10 μW. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes receiving energy delivered out of a living subject from an internal power transmitter disposed therein. The method further includes powering at least one device located external to the living subject using the energy. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes receiving energy delivered out of a living subject from an internal power transmitter disposed therein. The method further includes storing at least a portion of the energy in a first device located external to the living subject. 
     In an embodiment, a system includes an electricity generator configured to convert internal body energy of a living subject to electrical energy. The system further includes an internal power transmitter configured to be disposed in the living subject. The internal power transmitter operably coupled to the electricity generator to receive at least a portion of the electrical energy therefrom. The internal power transmitter may be further configured to deliver energy out of the living subject in response to receiving the at least a portion of the electrical energy. 
     In an embodiment, a method includes generating electrical energy internally within a living subject. The method further includes, in response to receiving at least a portion of the electrical energy, delivering energy out of the living subject from an internal power transmitter to an external device. 
     In an embodiment, an apparatus configured for disposal in a living subject is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electrical-power source configured to provide electrical energy and an internal power transmitter coupled to the electrical power source to receive at least a portion of the electrical energy therefrom. The internal power transmitter is configured to deliver energy out of the living subject in response to receiving at least a portion of the electrical energy, with the energy having a power of at least about 10 μW. A biocompatible protective packaging at least partially encloses the electrical-power source and the internal power transmitter. 
     In an embodiment, an apparatus configured for disposal in a living subject is disclosed. The apparatus includes an electricity generator configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject to electrical energy, and an internal power transmitter configured to deliver energy out of the living subject in response to receiving at least a portion of the electrical energy. A biocompatible protective packaging at least partially encloses the electricity generator and the internal power transmitter. 
     The foregoing is a summary and thus may contain simplifications, generalizations, inclusions, and/or omissions of detail; consequently, the reader will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices and/or processes and/or other subject matter described herein will become apparent after reading the teachings set forth herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1A  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to deliver energy transdermally out of a living subject for powering at least one external device. 
         FIG. 1B  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to deliver energy transdermally out of a living subject for powering at least one external device. 
         FIG. 1C  is a functional block diagram of the system shown in  FIG. 1A , with a power converter coupled between the internal power transmitter and the electrical-power source according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to deliver optical power out of a living subject through a portal formed therein. 
         FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system configured to deliver electrical power out of a living subject through a portal formed therein. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system configured so that an energy-storage device disposed in a living subject may be re-charged according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system in which power stored in a first external device received from an internal power transmitter may be supplied to another external device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to systems configured to deliver energy out of a living subject to power at least one external device, and related apparatuses and methods of use. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. 
       FIG. 1A  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system  100  configured to deliver energy transdermally out of a living subject for powering at least one external device. The system  100  includes an apparatus  102  configured to be disposed within a living subject  104 , such as being embedded in tissue, muscle, or bone of a human being. The apparatus  102  includes an electrical-power source  106 , an internal power transmitter  108  operably coupled to the electrical-power source  106  to receive electrical power (e.g., one or more electrical signals) therefrom, and control electrical circuitry  110  configured to control distribution of the electrical power from the electrical-power source  106  to the internal power transmitter  108  and the operation of the internal power transmitter  108 . The internal power transmitter  108  is configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106  into a different type of energy  114  and deliver the energy  114  transdermally through and out of tissue of the living subject  104  at a power of, for example, at least about 10 μW. 
     The electrical-power source  106 , internal power transmitter  108 , and control electrical circuitry  110  may be configured to be disposed in the living subject  104 , such as by being sized for being disposed in the living subject  104  or being biocompatible with the living subject  104 . For example, the electrical-power source  106 , internal power transmitter  108 , and control electrical circuitry  110  may be compactly enclosed in a biocompatible protective packaging  112  that is disposed within the living subject  104  to form the apparatus  102 . In an embodiment, the electrical-power source  106 , internal power transmitter  108 , and control electrical circuitry  110  may each be individually enclosed in separate biocompatible protective packaging sections. 
     The system  100  further includes at least one external device  116  positioned or positionable externally to the living subject  104  to receive the converted energy  114  transmitted out of the living subject  104 . For example, the external device  116  may include an electronic device, such as a cell phone, personal data assistant, a video game device, a therapeutic device, a sensor, or an electronic medical device (e.g., a hearing aid). The external device  116  includes a converter  118  configured to convert the received energy  114  into electrical power  120 . For example, the converter  118  may be integrated with or separate from the external device  116 . The external device  116  may further include an energy-storage device  122  (e.g., a capacitive device or a battery) configured to store the converted electrical power  120  for powering the external device  116 , and control electrical circuitry  124  operably coupled to the energy-storage device  122  and configured to control the distribution of one or more electrical power signals  123  from the energy-storage device  122  and the operation of the external device  116 . 
     In operation, the electrical-power source  106  provides the internal power transmitter  108  with the electrical power, and the internal power transmitter  108  converts at least a portion of the electrical power into the energy  114 , which is transmitted transdermally out of the living subject  104  with, for example, a power of at least about 10 μW. More specifically, the internal power transmitter  108  transmits the energy  114  transdermally through and out of the living subject  104  in response to instructions from the control electrical circuitry  110 , which is received by the converter  118  of the external device  116 . In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry  110  may be pre-programmed to direct the internal power transmitter  108  to output the energy  114  at specific times throughout the day. In an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry  110  may include or be associated with a data receiver (e.g., an optical or radio-frequency receiver) configured to receive instructions from an external device transmitted transdermally thereto, and the control electrical circuitry  110  may control the operation of the internal power transmitter  108  in response thereto. The energy  114  may be received by the converter  118 , which converts the received energy  114  to the electrical power  120 . The electrical power  120  may be stored in the energy-storage device  122  and used to power the external device  116 . For example, the control electrical circuitry  124  receives the one or more electrical power signals  123  from the energy-storage device  122  to power and control the operation of the external device  116 . 
     In an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may be placed in proximity to the internal power transmitter  108  and abut tissue of the living subject  104 . In an embodiment, the power of the energy  114  transdermally output from the internal power transmitter  108  may be sufficient so that the external device  116  may be positioned remote from the living subject  104  and the internal power transmitter  108  disposed therein. 
     The internal power transmitter  108  may receive power from a variety of different types of power sources. According to one or more embodiments, the electrical-power source  106  may include an energy storage device, such as a battery or a capacitive device. For example, referring to  FIG. 1B , in an embodiment, the electrical-power source  106  may include an electricity generator  126  configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject  104  to electrical energy. For example, the electricity generator may include at least one of a fluid-flow generator configured to convert internal body fluid motion into electricity, a fluid-pressure generator configured to convert internal fluid pressure into electricity, a muscle-motion generator configured to convert internal muscle motion into electricity, an acceleration-motion generator configured to convert acceleration of the living subject  104  into electricity, or a thermal-electric generator configured to convert internal body heat into electricity. The electrical-power source  106  may further include an energy-storage device  128  (e.g., a battery or capacitive device) coupled to the electricity generator  126  and configured to store electrical energy generated thereby. In such an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry  110  may be operably coupled to the energy-storage device  128  and control distribution of the electricity therefrom to the internal power transmitter  108 . In an embodiment, the electricity generator  126  may be omitted, and the energy-storage device  128  may be a disposable or re-chargeable battery that powers the internal power transmitter  108 . In some embodiments, the energy-storage device  126  and the electricity generator  128  may be separately packaged in a biocompatible packaging. 
     The internal power transmitter  108  may be configured to deliver the energy  114  out of the living subject  104  with, for example, a power of at least about 10 μW. In more specific embodiments, the power output by the internal power transmitter  108  may range from about 10 μW to about 10 W, about 10 μW to about 1 mW, about 1 mW to about 100 W, about 100 mW to about 1 W, about 1 W to about 5 W, about 5 W to about 10 W, about 10 μW to about 100 W, about 1 W to about 100 W, or about 20 W to about 100 W. The internal power transmitter  108  may output the energy  114  at a selected one or more wavelengths that are transmittable through tissue of the living subject  104 . For example, the selected one or more wavelengths may include one or more infrared wavelengths having a wavelength of about 800 nm to about 1 mm. The selected one or more wavelengths may include one or more visible wavelengths having a wavelength of about 380 nm to about 750 nm. The control electrical circuitry  110  may be configured to direct the internal power transmitter  108  to output the energy  114  with one or more selected optical parameters. For example, the one or more selected optical parameters may include wavelength, start time, duration, end time, power, or time-integrated power of the one or more optical power signals  110 . 
     The internal power transmitter  108  may be chosen from a number of different types of transducers that are configured to convert electrical energy to another form of energy. In an embodiment, the transducer may include an electrical-optical converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106 , and deliver the converted electrical power as the energy  114  in the form of electromagnetic energy such as one or more optical power signals. For example, the electrical-optical converter may be a light-emitting device, such as one or more light-emitting diodes or one or more laser diodes. In such an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may be an optical-electrical converter (e.g., one or more photodiodes) configured to convert the received energy  114  to the electrical power  120 . 
     In an embodiment, the transducer may include an electrical-magnetic converter configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106 , and output the converted electrical power as the energy  114  in the form of magnetic energy. For example, the electrical-magnetic converter may be an electromagnet. In such an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may be an magnetic-electrical converter (e.g., induction coil) configured to convert the received energy  114  to the electrical power  120 . 
     In an embodiment, the transducer may include one or more ultrasonic elements configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106 , and output the converted electrical power as the energy  114  in the form of ultrasonic energy. For example, the one or more ultrasonic elements may be one or more piezoelectric elements. In such an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may also include one or more ultrasonic elements configured to convert the received ultrasonic energy to the electrical power  120 . 
     In an embodiment, the transducer may include a heating element configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106  to the energy  114  in the form of thermal energy. For example, the heating element may be one or more resistance heating elements. In such an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may also include a thermal-electric converter (e.g., one or more Peltier cells or an alkali metal thermal-electric converter) configured to convert the received ultrasonic energy to the electrical power  120 . 
     In an embodiment, the transducer may include a radio-frequency device configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the electrical-power source  106  to the energy  114  in the form of radio-frequency energy. For example, the radio-frequency device may be a radio-frequency transmitter. In such an embodiment, the converter  118  of the external device  116  may include a radio-frequency receiver configured to convert the received radio-frequency energy to the electrical power  120 . 
     As previously discussed, the electrical-power source  106  and components thereof, the internal power transmitter  108 , and the control electrical circuitry  110  may be enclosed in the biocompatible protective packaging  112  that is at least partially transparent to the energy  114  output by the internal power transmitter  108 . The biocompatible protective packaging  112  may be formed from a number of different biocompatible polymeric materials, such as at least one of polyxylene, polyethylene, poly(ethylene oxide), polyurethane, or poly(butylene terephthalate). The biocompatible protective packaging  112  may also be formed from a number of different biocompatible ceramics, such as silicate-based ceramics. In some embodiments, the biocompatible protective packaging  112  may be in the form of a biocompatible coating made from at least one of the aforementioned biocompatible polymeric or ceramic materials and formed over a relatively less biocompatible housing that provides structural support for the biocompatible coating or a housing formed from at least one of the aforementioned biocompatible materials. 
     According to one or more embodiments of an operational method when the electrical-power source  106  includes an energy-storage device, electrical energy may be stored in the energy-storage device. In response to the internal power transmitter  108  receiving at least a portion of the stored electrical energy, the internal power transmitter  108  may deliver energy out of the living subject at any of the disclosed power levels or ranges. 
     In an embodiment, the electrical energy may be generated internally within the living subject  104  using any of the disclosed electricity generators  126  ( FIG. 1B ) configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject  104  to electrical energy. In response to the internal power transmitter  108  receiving at least a portion of the internally generated electrical energy, the internal power transmitter  108  may deliver energy out of the living subject at any of the disclosed power levels or ranges. In an embodiment, the internally generated electrical energy may stored in the energy-storage device  128  ( FIG. 1B ) prior to being supplied to the internal power transmitter  108  and delivered out of the living subject  104 . 
     From another perspective, according to one or more embodiments of an operational method, the external device  116  may receive the energy  114  delivered out of the living subject  104  from the internal power transmitter  108 . The external device  116  may be powered using the received energy  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1C , in an embodiment, a power converter  130  may be coupled between the internal power transmitter  108  and the electrical-power source  106 . The power converter  130  is configured to selectively condition received electrical power from the electrical-power source  106  to generate one or more conditioned electrical power signals, under the control of the control electrical circuitry  110 , for powering the internal power transmitter  108 . For example, the power converter  130  may be configured to convert electrical power from the electrical-power source  106  from a first format to a second format, such as from a DC waveform to an AC waveform, an AC waveform to a DC waveform, a DC waveform to a different DC waveform, or an AC waveform to a different AC waveform. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in one or more embodiments, the energy  114  output by the internal power transmitter  108  may be delivered out of the living subject  104  through a portal.  FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system  200  configured to deliver optical power through a portal formed in the living subject. In the system  200 , the internal power transmitter  108  is configured as an electrical-optical converter that outputs the energy  114  as one or more optical power signals. An optical waveguide  202  (e.g., one or more optical fibers) may be optically coupled to the electrical-optical converter to receive the energy  114  output therefrom and guide the energy  114  to a selected location in or out of the living subject  104 . The optical waveguide  202  may extend out of the living subject  104  through a trocar housing  204  disposed in the living subject  104  that defines a portal therein. 
     In operation, the optical waveguide  202  may output the energy  114  as a beam that is received by the converter  118  of the external device  116 . In an embodiment, the optical waveguide  202  may be optically coupled to the converter  118  using a suitable optical connector structure or optical outlet received at least partially by the trocar housing  204 . However, in another embodiment, the energy  114  may travel through free space to the converter  118  along with, optionally, being focused by one or more optical elements (e.g., one or more lenses) or directed to the converter  118 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , in one or more embodiments, electrical energy may be delivered out of the living subject  104  through a portal, such as an electrical outlet, to power at least one external device.  FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system  300  configured to deliver electrical power through an electrical outlet disposed in a living subject. The system  300  includes an apparatus  302  configured to be disposed within the living subject  104 , such as being embedded in tissue, muscle, or bone of a human being. The apparatus  302  may include an electricity generator  304  configured to convert internal body energy of the living subject  104  to electrical energy. For example, the electricity generator may include at least one of a fluid-flow generator configured to convert internal body fluid motion into electricity, a fluid-pressure generator configured to convert internal fluid pressure into electricity, a muscle-motion generator configured to convert internal muscle motion into electricity, an acceleration-motion generator configured to convert acceleration of the living subject  104  into electricity, or a thermal-electric generator configured to convert internal body heat into electricity. The apparatus  302  may further include an energy-storage device  306  (e.g., a battery or capacitive device) coupled to the electricity generator  304  to receive and store electrical power generated thereby. Control electrical circuitry  308  may be operably coupled to the energy-storage device  306  and control distribution of the electrical power. The electricity generator  304 , energy-storage device  306 , and control electrical circuitry  308  may be individually or collectively enclosed in a biocompatible packaging  309  that is the same or similar to the biocompatible packaging  112  shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The apparatus  302  may further include one or more electrical conductors  310  (e.g., one or more electrical wires) electrically coupled to the energy-storage device  306  and suitably protected by a biocompatible sheath. The one or more electrical conductors  310  may extend through a trocar housing  312  disposed in the living subject  104  that defines a portal therein. An electrical interface  314  (e.g., an electrical outlet) is electrically coupled to the one or more electrical conductors  310  and may be disposed in or project outwardly from the trocar housing  312  and the living subject  104 . One or more electrical power signals may be transmitted from the energy-storage device  306 , through the one or more electrical conductors  310 , and to the electrical interface  314 . 
     The system  300  further includes at least one external device  316  positioned or positionable externally to the living subject  104  to receive the electrical power from the electrical outlet  314 . For example, the external device  316  may include a electronic device, such as a cell phone, personal data assistant, a video game device, a therapeutic device, a sensor, or an electronic medical device (e.g., a hearing aid). The external device  316  includes an electrical interface  318  (e.g., an electrical plug) configured to interface with the electrical interface  314  so that the stored electrical power can be delivered out of the living subject  104  to an energy-storage device  320  (e.g., a capacitive device or a battery) of the external device  316 . The external device  316  further includes control electrical circuitry  322  operably coupled to the energy-storage device  320  and configured to control the distribution of electrical power  324  from and stored in the energy-storage device  320 . 
     In operation, the electrical power may be delivered from energy-storage device  306  through the electrical interface  314 , to the electrical interface  318 , and to the energy-storage device  320 . 
     In some embodiments, the electricity generator  304  may be omitted, and the energy-storage device  306  may be configured as a battery that provides the electrical power to the external device  316 . Furthermore, in an embodiment, the control electrical circuitry  322  may include a power converter that is configured to convert the electrical power from a first format to a second format. For example, the power converter may be configured to convert the electrical power from a direct-current waveform to an alternating-current waveform. 
       FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of a system  400  configured so that an energy-storage device disposed in a living subject may be re-charged. The system  400  includes an apparatus  402  configured to be disposed within a living subject  104 , such as being embedded in tissue, muscle, or bone of a human being. The apparatus  402  includes an energy-storage device  404  (e.g., a battery or a capacitive device), an internal power transmitter in the form, for example, of an internal power transmitter  406  (e.g., electrical-optical converter or any other disclosed internal power transmitter) operably coupled to the energy-storage device  404  to receive electrical power (e.g., one or more electrical signals) therefrom, and control electrical circuitry  408  configured to control distribution of the electrical power from the energy-storage device  404  to the internal power transmitter  406  and the operation of the internal power transmitter  406 . The internal power transmitter  406  is configured to convert at least a portion of the electrical power received from the energy-storage device  404  into energy  412  that is transdermally transmittable through and out of tissue of the living subject  104  at a power of, for example, at least about 10 μW or any other disposed power level or range. The apparatus  402  further includes an optical-electrical converter  410  configured to receive and convert optical energy to electrical power  412 . The energy-storage device  404  is coupled to the optical-electrical converter to receive the electrical power  412  therefrom in order to re-charge the energy-storage device  404 . The energy-storage device  404 , internal power transmitter  406 , control electrical circuitry  408 , and optical-electrical converter  410  may be individually or collectively enclosed in a biocompatible packaging  411  that is the same or similar to the biocompatible packaging  112  shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The system  400  further includes an optical power source  414  configured to output electromagnetic energy  416  as, for example, a beam of electromagnetic energy that is transdermally transmittable into the living subject  104 . 
     In operation, the optical power source  414  outputs the electromagnetic energy  416 , which is transmitted transdermally into the living subject  104 . The transdermally transmitted electromagnetic energy  416  is received by the optical-electrical converter  410 , which converts at least a portion thereof to the electrical power that re-charges the energy-storage device  404 . The re-charged energy-storage device  404  may deliver electrical power to the internal power transmitter  406 , which converts at least a portion of the electrical power received therefrom to the energy  412  for powering the external device  116 . The powering and operation of the external device  116  using the energy  412  has been previously described and is not repeated in the interest of brevity. 
     However, it is noted that other types of power receivers and converters may be employed besides the illustrated optical-electrical converter  410 . For example, the energy-storage device  404  may include or be otherwise associated with a power receiver configured to receive power transmitted transdermally into the living subject  104  and a power converter operably coupled to the power receiver to convert the received power to electrical power. For example, the power receiver and the power converter may form an integrated device such as an inductive receiver/converter. 
     Referring to the functional block diagram shown in  FIG. 5  depicting an embodiment of a system  500 , electrical power stored by a first external device may be supplied to one or more other external devices. In an embodiment, the energy-storage device  122  of the external device  116  may be a removable battery. In use, the energy-storage device  122  may be removed from the external device  116  and installed in a second external device  502  (e.g., cell phone, a hearing aid, a personal data assistant, a therapeutic device, a sensor, or other electronic device) to power the second external device  502 . 
     In an embodiment, an external device  504  (e.g., cell phone, a therapeutic device, a sensor, a personal data assistant, or other electronic device) may include control electrical circuitry  506  configured to control the operation thereof and a power interface  508  coupled to the control electrical circuitry  506  for supplying power to the control electrical circuitry  506 . For example, the power interface  508  may include an inductive receiver, an electrical receiver (e.g., electrical socket coupled to the control electrical circuitry  506 ), or other suitable interface configured to receive power from another device and transmit such received power to the control electrical circuitry  506 . In such an embodiment, the external device  116  may be provided with a power interface  510  configured to transmit power from the energy-storage device  122  to the control electrical circuitry  506 . For example, the power interface  510  may be an inductive transmitter that inductively couples power to the power interface  508  when it is configured as an inductive receiver, an electrical plug that electrically couples to the power interface  508  when it is an electrical socket, or other suitable power interface configured to transfer power between the energy-storage device  122  and the control electrical circuitry  506 . 
     It is noted that while the system  500  is illustrated as employing the apparatus  102  for providing the energy  114  to the external device  116 , any of the disclosed internal apparatuses configured to deliver energy out of the living subject may be employed in the system  500 . For example, the apparatus  102  may be replaced with the apparatus  302  provided the external device  116  is provided with a suitable electrical interface to transfer power to the energy-storage device  122  thereof. 
     The reader will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware and software implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. The reader will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. The reader will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, the reader will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link, etc.). 
     In a general sense, the various embodiments described herein can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by various types of electro-mechanical systems having a wide range of electrical components such as hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof; and a wide range of components that may impart mechanical force or motion such as rigid bodies, spring or torsional bodies, hydraulics, and electro-magnetically actuated devices, or virtually any combination thereof. Consequently, as used herein “electro-mechanical system” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry operably coupled with a transducer (e.g., an actuator, a motor, a piezoelectric crystal, etc.), electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment), and any non-electrical analog thereto, such as optical or other analogs. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that examples of electro-mechanical systems include but are not limited to a variety of consumer electronics systems, as well as other systems such as motorized transport systems, factory automation systems, security systems, and communication/computing systems. Those skilled in the art will recognize that electro-mechanical as used herein is not necessarily limited to a system that has both electrical and mechanical actuation except as context may dictate otherwise. 
     In a general sense, the various aspects described herein which can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as being composed of various types of “electrical circuitry.” Consequently, as used herein “electrical circuitry” includes, but is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a computer program which at least partially carries out processes and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment). The subject matter described herein may be implemented in an analog or digital fashion or some combination thereof. 
     The herein described components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects and the discussion accompanying them are used as examples for the sake of conceptual clarity. Consequently, as used herein, the specific exemplars set forth and the accompanying discussion are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, use of any specific exemplar herein is also intended to be representative of its class, and the non-inclusion of such specific components (e.g., steps), devices, and objects herein should not be taken as indicating that limitation is desired. 
     With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, the reader can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations are not expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. 
     The herein described subject matter sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected with, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “associated” such that the desired functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting and/or logically interactable components. 
     In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to.” The reader will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, etc. unless context requires otherwise. 
     In some instances, one or more components may be referred to herein as “configured to.” The reader will recognize that “configured to” can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise. 
     While particular aspects of the present subject matter described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended claims. In general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). Virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” 
     With respect to the appended claims, the recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. With respect to context, even terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, the various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.