Optogenetic tool for multiple and independently addressing of patterned optical windows

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016157706-A1
Application number	US-201414905374-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 16, 2014
Priority date	Jul 17, 2013
Publication date	Jun 9, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A multi-point light-delivering device, comprising a waveguide carrying light along a longitudinal axis and including multiple optical windows, through which the carried light is out-coupled from the waveguide. The waveguide comprises a tapered region along which the optical windows are distributed, wherein each optical window out-couples a specific subset of propagating modes of the carried light to which the optical window is matched.

First claim

1 . A multi-point light-delivering device, comprising a waveguide carrying light along a longitudinal axis and including multiple optical windows, through which the carried light is out-coupled from the waveguide;
wherein said waveguide comprises a tapered region along which said optical windows are distributed, wherein each optical window out-couples a specific subset of propagating modes of the carried light, to which said optical window is matched.

2 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said multiple optical windows include at least one optical window formed on a side surface of the tapered region of the waveguide.

3 . A device according to claim 2 , wherein said multiple optical windows further include an optical window formed on a tip of the tapered region of the waveguide.

4 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said tapered region has a taper angle between 1° and 10°, and preferably between 3 and 6.

5 . A device to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said optical windows is configured as a reservoir for containing a medical compound, said medical compound being optically deliverable by means of the light that is out-coupled by the optical window.

6 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said waveguide is a single optical fiber.

7 . A device according to claim 1 , said device being, provided for illuminating an optical sensitive material or environment, and being associated to an electrode array coupled to the waveguide recording electric signals from the illuminated material or environment.

8 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein said electrode array is arranged on a side surface of said tapered region.

9 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said device is a neuronal interface tool implantable in a neuronal tissue.

10 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said device is an optogenetic device implantable, in a tissue or biological system sensible to light.

11 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said device is a device for endoscopy or laser-based surgery.

Assignees

• Fond Istituto Itallano Di Tecnolggia
• Harvard College

Inventors

• Pisanello Ferruccio
• Martiradonna Luigi
• Sileo Leonardo
• Oldenburg Ian Anton
• Pisanello Marco
• Sabatini Bernardo Luis
• Assad John Abraham
• De Vittorio Massimo

Classifications

• A61B5/0084 Primary

  for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters (A61B5/1459 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A61B2018/2255

  Optical elements at the distal end of probe tips · CPC title

• A61N5/062

  Photodynamic therapy, i.e. excitation of an agent · CPC title

• A61B2562/0233

  Special features of optical sensors or probes classified in A61B5/00 · CPC title

• A61N2005/063

  comprising light transmitting means, e.g. optical fibres · CPC title