Method and apparatus for recording microscopic images from within a living organism using an implantable device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12453458-B2
Application number	US-202318164140-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 3, 2023
Priority date	Jan 7, 2014
Publication date	Oct 28, 2025
Grant date	Oct 28, 2025

Abstract

Exemplary apparatus and method can be provided. For example, using at least one light source first arrangement, it is possible to provide pulses of light to at least one portion of a biological structure. At least one detector second arrangement can be used to detect images from the portion(s) based on the pulses, and provide data based on the detection. With at least one configuration, it is possible prevent and/or reduce a movement of the apparatus within at least one anatomical body (i) is a particular surface of the apparatus, (ii) covers at least one portion of the surface, and/or (iii) extends from the surface. In addition or alternatively, with at least one computer third arrangement, it is possible to receive the data, and control a timing of at least one of activation or deactivation of at least one portion of the first arrangement based on the data.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
implanting an apparatus into at least one portion of a biological structure,
the apparatus comprising at least one light source and at least one detector;

providing, using the at least one light source, light to the at least one portion,
wherein the at least one light source emits at least one of red or infrared light;

detecting, using the at least one detector, microscopic images from the at least one portion based on the light,
the microscopic images having a resolution of 20 pm or less from an image plane within the biological structure; and

providing, by the at least one detector, data based on the detection,
wherein providing the light to the at least one portion and providing the data based on the detection occur simultaneously by modulating an intensity of the at least one light source to communicate the data based on the detection.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing light to the at least one portion further comprises:
providing light to the at least one portion to continuously illuminate the at least one portion of the biological structure.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein detecting microscopic images from the at least one portion based on the light further comprises:
continuously detecting microscopic images from the at least one portion based on the light.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein continuously detecting microscopic images from the at least one portion based on the light further comprises:
continuously detecting, using the at least one detector, microscopic images from the at least one portion based on the light,
wherein the microscopic images comprise at least one of optical sections or cross-sectional images through the at least one portion.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, after providing light to the at least one portion:
redirecting light returned from the at least one portion of a biological structure at an angle towards at least one detector using a grating or prism.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting microscopic images further comprises:
producing the at least one of optical sections or cross-sectional images through the at least one portion by performing at least one of:
oblique back-illumination microscopy (OBM);
reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM);
spectrally encoded confocal microscopy (SECM);
optical coherence tomography (OCT); or
full-field optical coherence microscopy (FF-OCM);

providing, by the at least one detector, data based on the detection; and
causing a prevention or a reduction of a movement of an implantable apparatus from an exterior surface location of at least one anatomical body using at least one configuration which at least one of (i) is a particular surface of the implantable apparatus, (ii) covers at least one portion of the surface, or (iii) extends from the surface to provide for long-term, continuous monitoring,
wherein the implantable apparatus is equal to 20 mm or less in diameter,
wherein the at least one anatomical body is an organ, and
wherein the at least one portion of the biological structure is within the organ.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the organ is at least one of a kidney, a liver, or a gastrointestinal tract.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one light source comprises a first light source and a second light source,
wherein each of the first light source and the second light source is configured to provide light to the at least one portion of the biological structure.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the first light source and the second light source are incoherent light sources.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising focusing the light on the at least one detector to detect microscopic images from the at least one portion using aspheric micro-optics.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein providing light to the at least one portion further comprises:
providing light to the at least one portion,
wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one of: (i) at least two light-emitting diodes, or (ii) at least one laser.

Assignees

• Massachusetts Gen Hospital

Inventors

• Tearney Guillermo J
• Ford Timothy N
• Carruth Robert
• Wu Tao
• Hyun Chulho
• Lu Weina
• Chu Kengyeh Ken

Classifications

• A61B5/0066

  Optical coherence imaging · CPC title

• A61B1/00006

  of control signals · CPC title

• A61B1/00147

  Holding or positioning arrangements · CPC title

• A61B1/00009

  of image signals during a use of endoscope · CPC title

• A61B1/00148

  using anchoring means · CPC title