Implantable medical device having optical fiber for sensing electrical activity
US9681809B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 11, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 21, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B5/349
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An implantable medical device for optically sensing action potential signals in excitable body tissue. The device includes an elongated tubular lead body carrying an optical fiber extending from a proximal lead end to a distal lead end to position the optical fiber at a target site. The lead body additionally carries a conduit for dispensing a voltage-sensitive fluorescent dye into tissue surrounding the target site. The optical fiber transmits excitation light to the fluorescent dye to cause the dye to fluoresce with varying intensity as the transmembrane potentials of local tissue cells vary due to passing depolarization wavefronts. The optical fiber transmits the fluorescence signal to the device to generate an action potential signal or fiducial points of an action potential signal for use in accurately measuring and characterizing electrical activity of excitable tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.