Powering an in vivo device using energy from a radioactive source
US10576172B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2017 |
| Grant date | Mar 3, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 3, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02H9/002
- WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An implantable system is disclosed that includes an encapsulated housing including a radioactive source. The encapsulated housing is internally coated with a light-generating coating that converts the radioactive energy to light, that is then output in vivo to a photodiode positioned proximate to at least part of the encapsulated housing in vivo. The photodiode is configured to generate electrical current from the light, which electrical current is output to a power conditioning circuit that is configured to use the electrical current as an input electrical current and to output power to a load in vivo. The encapsulated may also be internally coated, at least in part, with a light directing coating that causes light to be directed toward an optical lens that focuses the light on the photodiode. The radioactive source may be a gas having a low half-life and which poses no health risk to a patient if released.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.