Optical communications for embedded systems

Abstract

In one exemplary embodiment, an optical communication system includes an embedded optical transmitter and an external optical receiver. The transmitter includes a housing in which at least one driver, multiple light-emitting sources, and optical elements are disposed. Each driver converts a digital data signal into a modulation signal to drive the light-emitting sources. Each light-emitting source generates a light beam in response to a corresponding modulation signal. Each light beam contributes to form an optical signal. The optical element guides the light beams to exit the housing with a first distance or more and less than a second distance between the peak light intensity of each light beam and the corresponding peak light intensity of an adjacent light beam. The optical receiver includes at least one photodiode that detects light emitted from the light-emitting sources and generates a reconstructed data signal.

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 915,967, filed Oct. 16, 2019. The entire disclosure of the application is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Monitoring devices designed for implantation into the human body require means for transmitting the collected data to an external device so that the collected data can be processed. Typically, such implantable devices use optical communication or radio communication. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a technique that enables safe and robust optical data transmission with high throughput and high penetration depth through biological tissue while achieving excellent misalignment tolerance and suppressing optical power density and tissue temperature rise. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of light sources are spaced apart at a certain distance within an embedded sealed housing, and a plurality of thin and robust optical windows allow light to be emitted from the sealed housing and safely incident on biological tissue. The shape and / or surface characteristics of the optical window can be adjusted to favorably affect light propagation in the tissue. At least one photodiode receives an optical signal on the opposite side of the tissue and converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified by at least one amplifier and output to a clock data recovery stage.

[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, a transcutaneous optical communication system includes an implantable optical transmitter and an external optical receiver.

[0006] The embedded optical transmission device may include a sealed housing having a cavity, a distal end, and a proximal end, and at least one driver, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an optical element are disposed in the cavity. Each of the at least one driver is configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal and drive at least one of the light emitting sources. Each light emitting source is configured to generate an optical beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, and each optical beam contributes to form one optical signal. The optical element is configured to guide the optical beams from the proximal end of the sealed housing so that they are emitted in a pattern distribution where the distance between the peak position of the optical intensity of each optical beam and the corresponding peak position of the optical intensity of an adjacent optical beam is not less than a first distance and less than a second distance.

[0007] The external optical reception device may include at least one photodiode configured to detect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting sources and generate an external detection signal in response thereto, an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the external detection signal, and a clock data recovery circuit connected to receive the amplified detection signal and configured to generate a reconstructed data signal.

[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, a transcutaneous optical communication method includes, using an embedded optical transmission device, a process of converting a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal, a process of generating an optical beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, where each optical beam contributes to form one optical signal, and a process of guiding the optical beams from the embedded optical transmission device so that they are emitted in a pattern distribution where the distance between the peak position of the optical intensity of each optical beam and the corresponding peak position of the optical intensity of an adjacent optical beam is not less than a first distance and less than a second distance.

[0009] The method may further include detecting light emitted from the plurality of light emitting sources using an external light receiving device positioned to detect at least one of the light beams, and generating an external detection signal accordingly; amplifying the external detection signal; and receiving the amplified detection signal and generating a reconstructed data signal.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment, the implant device includes a sealed housing having a cavity, a distal end, and a proximal end, and at least one driver, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an optical element are disposed in the cavity. Each of the at least one driver is configured to convert a digital data signal (representing a physiological signal) into at least one modulation signal to drive at least one of the light emitting sources. Each light emitting source is configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, and the light beams contribute to form one optical signal. The optical element is configured to guide the light beams out from the proximal end of the sealed housing in a pattern distribution such that the distance between the peak position of the light intensity of each light beam and the corresponding peak position in the light intensity of an adjacent light beam is greater than a first distance and less than a second distance.

[0011] The implant device may be configured to be implanted in a biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on the characteristics of the biological tissue.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment, the first distance may be greater than 0.5 millimeter and the second distance may be less than 50 millimeters.

[0013] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical element has a plurality of optical windows. Each of the plurality of optical windows may comprise a lens, an anti-reflection coating, a diffusion layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

[0014] The embedded device may further include a ferrule installed at the proximal end of the housing and configured to accommodate the plurality of optical windows. The ferrule has a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of optical windows, and the plurality of optical windows are recessed from the upper surface of the ferrule.

[0015] The plurality of light-emitting sources may consist of N light-emitting sources, the plurality of optical windows may consist of M optical windows, and N is greater than or equal to M.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the optical element has a single optical window. The single optical window may comprise a lens, an anti-reflection coating, a diffusion layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

[0017] The embedded device may further include a ferrule installed at the proximal end of the housing and having a plurality of openings. The single optical window is recessed from the proximal end of the housing by at least the thickness of the ferrule.

[0018] The plurality of light-emitting sources may consist of N light-emitting sources, the plurality of openings may consist of M openings, and N is greater than or equal to M.

[0019] The at least one driver may be configured to operate based on on-off modulation and / or amplitude-shift modulation.

[0020] The embedded device may further include an analog front-end circuit configured to convert a physiological signal into the digital data signal.

[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, a transcutaneous optical communication system includes an external optical transmitter and an embedded optical receiver.

[0022] The external optical transmission device may include a housing in which at least one driver, a plurality of light emitting sources, and optical elements are arranged. Each of the at least one driver is configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal to drive at least one of the light emitting sources. Each light emitting source is configured to generate an optical beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, and the optical beams contribute to form one optical signal. The optical element is configured to guide the optical beams out of the housing in a pattern distribution such that the distance between the peak position of the optical intensity of each optical beam and the corresponding peak position of the optical intensity of an adjacent optical beam is equal to or greater than a first distance and less than a second distance.

[0023] The implanted optical receiving device may include at least one photodiode configured to detect light emitted from the plurality of light emitting sources and generate an external detection signal in response thereto, an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the external detection signal, a receiving unit connected to receive the amplified detection signal and configured to generate a reconstructed data signal, a control unit configured to convert the reconstructed data signal into a control unit signal, and a stimulation generation unit configured to generate a stimulation signal based on the control unit signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] The foregoing will become apparent from the following more detailed description of exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the different figures, the same reference numerals refer to the same components. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; rather, emphasis has been placed on illustrating the embodiments.

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described.

[0026] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of a transcutaneous communication system 100. The system 100 includes a master implant neurocommunicator (MIN) 105, an external headset (HP) or wearable device 110, and a data processing device (NCD) 115. As shown in the conceptual diagram, the MIN 105 is implanted under the patient's scalp and includes a signal line 120 connected to a cortical electrode 125 that contacts a part of the patient's cerebral cortex. The MIN 105 converts the physiological signal received via the signal line 120 into an optical signal 130, and the optical signal 130 is transmitted to the HP 110 through the scalp. The HP 110 receives the optical signal on the opposite side of the scalp and converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified by at least one amplifier and output to a clock data recovery stage to generate a reconstructed data signal. The NCD 115 is configured to perform a data processing function on the reconstructed data signal. The HP 110 is configured to supply power to and control the MIN 105 via coils 135 and 140.

[0027] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary first embodiment of a transcutaneous communication system 200. The system 200 includes an implantable device or master implant neurocommunicator (MIN) 205 and an external wearable device 210. The MIN 205 includes a sealed housing (not shown). The sealed housing includes an analog-to-digital conversion unit (ADC) 220, a programmable digital signal processor (DSP) 225, at least one driver 230, a plurality of light emitting sources 235, and an integrated optical element 240 having a plurality of windows. The electrode 215 supplies an analog physiological signal to the ADC 220 when attached to the cortical region 282 of the patient. It should be understood that other uses in other regions of the body can also be envisioned by configuring embodiments based on the functions and components of the MIN 205.

[0028] The MIN 205 may further include a sensor 255, a memory 265, a control unit (controller) 270 that sets (configures) the MIN 205, a wireless power receiving unit 275 that supplies power to the MIN 205, a battery 280, and an induction coil 295.

[0029] The sensor 255 may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a voltage / current sensor, an accelerometer, etc. The sensor 255 is useful for monitoring the MIN205 and ensuring safety.

[0030] The memory 265 may be provided to store the configuration and / or firmware of the implant and / or information of the implant and / or the patient (e.g., name, serial number, etc.), and / or to record data (e.g., battery voltage, temperature, humidity, time, event, etc.).

[0031] The control unit 270 may be a programmable microcontroller provided to acquire data and configure (set up) the DSP225 and the driver. Among other things, the control unit 270 may be configured to read the sensor 255, write to / read from the memory 265, manage communication with the wearable 210, and update the firmware of the implant.

[0032] The wireless power receiving unit 275 is configured to convert the AC voltage from the induction coil 295 into a clean (DC) voltage by rectifying and stabilizing it, and supply power to the electronic components of the implant.

[0033] In some embodiments, the battery 280 may store energy for use during a power outage and / or to supply power to the MIN205 to keep some functions running when the wearable 210 is not present.

[0034] The induction coil 295 is configured to convert an alternating magnetic field into an alternating electrical signal.

[0035] The wearable device 210 includes at least one photodiode 245, at least one amplification stage 250, and a clock data recovery circuit 260.

[0036] The wearable device 210 may further include an induction coil 287, a wireless power transmission unit 289, and a control unit (controller) 291.

[0037] During operation, the ADC 220 converts the analog physiological signal received from the electrode 215 into a digital signal. The function of the ADC may be provided by, for example, an analog front end (AFE) chip. The DSP 225 processes the digital signal. The DSP 225 controls the ADC 220, reads out the result of the AD conversion, ensures the integrity of the data by encapsulating the data with a header and a checksum, and transmits the data to at least one driver 230. The output of the DSP 225 is connected to at least one driver 230, and the driver 230 converts the digital signal into at least one modulation signal to drive a plurality of light emitting sources 235. The light beam(s) emitted from the light emitting source(s) 235 contribute to form one optical signal. The integrated optical element 240 has a plurality of thin and robust optical windows, whereby it is possible to emit the optical signal from the sealed housing and safely incident the optical signal into the biological tissue 207. In the wearable device 210, at least one photodiode 245 receives the optical signal on the opposite side of the tissue and converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. In an alternative embodiment, another type of optical receiver is used instead of the photodiode 245. The electrical signal is amplified by at least one amplifier 250 and output to a clock data recovery stage, i.e., a clock-data reconstruction stage 260. The reconstructed data signal (reconstructed data signal) is sent out from the wearable device 210 (262) and undergoes further processing.

[0038] The wearable device 210 may be configured to transmit power from the wireless power transmission unit 289 to the wireless power reception unit 275 of the MIN 205 via the induction coils 287 and 295. Also, the wearable device 210 may be configured to program or communicate with the control unit 270 of the MIN 205 from the control unit 291 via the induction coils 287 and 295.

[0039] (Target data transfer rate)

[0040] In the latest applications of implantable devices, it is necessary to carry a large amount of information through the patient's tissue, and considering the required number of channels, sampling rate, and resolution, it can typically be performed at a data transfer rate of more than 25 Mbps.

[0041] (Skin thickness)

[0042] The optical power that must pass through the tissue depends on the thickness and type of the tissue. For example, in the case of a device implanted in a patient's head, the tissue thickness is typically an average of 7 - 8 mm and can reach a maximum of 12 mm or more.

[0043] (Wavelength)

[0044] The skin absorption coefficient and the skin diffusion coefficient vary with the wavelength and are not constant. The ability of light to penetrate biological tissue also depends on tissue components such as pigments, melanin, fat, water, and oxygenated / deoxygenated blood. Therefore, while the wavelength is selected to maximize the transmitted energy, a link is constructed that has sufficient flexibility and tolerance to accommodate all the diversities of the skin.

[0045] Many publications have identified the "near - infrared window" of 600 nm - 1300 nm in biological tissue. In this wavelength range, the absorption of light by the combination of melanin, water, and blood is less than that in the shorter or longer wavelength ranges. Also, as the wavelength increases, the diffusion coefficient of biological tissue decreases. In some embodiments, the wavelength can be in the range of 400 nm - 1400 nm.

[0046] (Light source)

[0047] This unidirectional optical communication link is based on a plurality of high-speed infrared light sources that receive digital data modulation by driving a driver, for power adjustment and redundancy (and power density reduction by spreading the power among multiple light sources). By making the light source adjustable and further making the sensitivity of the receiving unit adjustable, it becomes possible to compensate for the thickness, absorption characteristics, and diffusion characteristics of the scalp. As a result, it becomes possible to optimize the bit error rate while minimizing power consumption.

[0048] The light source 235 can be a light emitting diode (LED) or a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). Both types of light sources can emit infrared light with a small form factor. Although an LED is typically limited to 20 Mbps, a VCSEL can achieve data transfer speeds of several Gbps.

[0049] (Driver)

[0050] In one embodiment, at least one driver 230 can be a very simple high-speed transistor used to modulate the current of the VCSEL with power-efficient simple on-off (OOK) modulation. The plurality of light sources can also be driven using amplitude shift keying (M-ASK).

[0051] (Wearable photodiode) The photodiode 245 is, for example, the S6967 photodiode manufactured by Hamamatsu Corporation (bandwidth: 50 MHz, sensitivity: approximately 0.62 W / A (850 nm), light receiving area: 26.4 mm 2The field of view can be more than 120° (wide field of view). Placing the photodiode 245 as close as possible to the skin has the advantage of not only widening the field of view but also assisting in the alignment with the light source. The goal is to ensure that all the diffused light reaching the skin surface can be collected even when photons are delivered at a significant incident angle. An optical system (e.g., Fresnel lens, lens, filter, etc.) (not shown) for increasing the collected photons or selecting only the target wavelength may be added to the photodiode.

[0052] (Amplification stage) The photodiode 245 delivers a current proportional to the received optical power. At least one amplification stage 250 converts this current into a voltage.

[0053] In an experimental configuration to actually verify the concept of the implanted device described in this specification, a solid optical phantom was used to simulate the optical properties of tissue. For the optical properties and tissue thickness, a reference example and an extreme example (with 2 mm and 15 mm representing the lower and upper limits of tissue thickness) were adopted.

[0054] Figures 3A and 3B show the shape of the beam after passing through the optical phantom in the experimental configuration. Figure 3A represents the result of the optical phantom A2 (thickness: 2 mm), and Figure 3B represents the result of the optical phantom A5.5 (thickness: 5.5 mm). In phantom A2, the separate light beams from the four light sources can be visually distinguished. In phantoms with a thickness exceeding 2 mm such as phantom A5.5, as shown in Figure 3B, the beams merge due to the diffusion effect to form a single peak. That is, according to the concept of providing multiple light sources, the alignment tolerance range increases in the thin part of the skin, and in the thick part of the skin, the beams are comprehensively formed by the combination of the four beams, and the alignment tolerance range may be widened by the diffusion coefficient.

[0055] In order to accommodate biological tissues 207 (Figure 2) of various thicknesses, the light-emitting sources are spaced apart such that the pattern of the distribution between the peak position of the light intensity of each light beam emitted from the sealed housing and the corresponding peak position in the light intensity of the adjacent light beam is greater than or equal to a first distance and less than a second distance. For example, the first distance can be greater than 0.5 mm, and the second distance can be less than 50 mm.

[0056] The integrated optical element 240 can be formed of, for example, sapphire or other suitable materials. Some configuration examples of the optical element 240 are shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D. In FIG. 4A, the optical element includes a lens 402 such as a plano-concave lens. In FIG. 4B, an antireflection coating 404 (for example, a thin film, a thick film, etc.) that reduces reflection and increases transmitted energy is applied to the surface of the optical element 240. In FIG. 4C, a diffusion layer 406 such as a matte surface is applied to the surface of the optical element 240. In FIG. 4D, the optical element 240 includes a microstructure surface or a microfabricated surface 408.

[0057] Figures 5A and 5B show two configuration examples of the optical element 240 when four light emitting sources 235a to 235d are used. In Figure 5A, the optical element has a single window 502, and the single window 502 is held in a fixed position by a ferrule 504 having a single opening 509a. In Figure 5B, the optical element has four windows 506a to 506d, and the four windows 506a to 506d are held in a fixed position by a ferrule 508 having four corresponding openings 510a to 510d. Since each of the plurality of optical windows 506a to 506d covers some of the infrared light emitting sources 235a to 235d, it can have a smaller diameter than when a single window covers all the light sources. When the thickness is the same, the plurality of windows have a lower diameter-to-thickness ratio and are mechanically more robust than when there is a single large window. Similarly, when the recessed distance from the surface of the support ferrule to the surface of the window is the same and the concave surface of the impact object is also the same, even if the same impact object does not hit the surface of the plurality of small windows, the same impact object may directly hit the surface of the single large window. In other words, to avoid the collision of a single large window with the same impact object having the same concave surface, it is necessary to recess its surface deeper than when there are a plurality of small windows. This concept is shown in Figures 6 and 7 depicting an impact object

[602] (radius: 25 mm). In Figure 6, the recess of the large window 502 (diameter: 6.85 mm) is 0.236 mm. In contrast, in Figure 7, to avoid the impact object 602, the recess of the small window 506 (diameter: 1.80 mm) only needs to be 0.016 mm. The small window 506 with a smaller recess has the advantage that the packaging of the embedded device can be miniaturized.

[0058] When a direct impact is applied when the diameter-to-thickness ratio is high, the possibility of damage to the window increases, and the hermeticity may be impaired. To avoid this, it is necessary to increase the recessed distance and / or the thickness of the window, but either option will interfere with the "thin" feature.

[0059] Figures 8A and 8B are diagrams showing in detail a configuration example of a plurality of window-ferrules. Figure 8A is a plan view showing a ferrule 805 holding four sapphire windows 810. The ferrule 805 can be formed of titanium or other suitable materials. A distance 830 is provided between the centers of the windows 810. As shown in a cross-sectional view (in Figure 8B) along the cutting plane A-A of line A-A, the window 810 is recessed by a distance 885 from the upper part 835 of the ferrule. In this embodiment, the window 810 is not recessed from the lower part 825 of the ferrule, but in other embodiments, the window may also be recessed from the lower part. The ferrule is joined to each window 810 by a sealing seal 820 such as, for example, pure gold soldering, and has a flange 840 for seating the ferrule on the housing. The distance 830 between the centers of the windows 810 is selected to match the arrangement of one or more light-emitting sources 235 (Figure 2) to be aligned with the window 810.

[0060] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an exemplary second embodiment of a transcutaneous optical communication system. Optical communication in the system 900 is performed in the direction from the wearable device 910 to the implanted device 905. Such a system 900 can be configured to internally deliver a stimulation signal to a region of tissue. The system 900 can further be configured to generate a service signal for programming and / or updating and / or changing the parameters of the implanted device 905.

[0061] The implanted device 905 includes a sealed housing (not shown). The sealed housing includes at least one photodiode 945, at least one amplification stage 950, a receiving unit 960, a controller 978, and a stimulation generation unit 998. The electrode 915 applies an analog physiological signal from the stimulation generation unit 998 when attached to a tissue region of a patient.

[0062] The implanted device 905 may further include a sensor 955, a memory 965, a controller 970 for setting (configuring) the implanted device 905, a wireless power receiving unit 975 for supplying power to the implanted device 905, a battery 980, and an induction coil 995.

[0063] The sensor 955 may include a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a voltage / current sensor, an accelerometer, etc. The sensor 955 is useful for monitoring the implanted device 905 and ensuring safety.

[0064] The memory 965 may be provided to store the configuration and / or firmware of the implant and / or information of the implant and / or the patient (e.g., name, serial number, etc.), and / or to record data (e.g., battery voltage, temperature, humidity, time, event, etc.).

[0065] The control unit 970 may be a microcontroller provided to set (configure) the control unit 978. The control unit 970 may also be configured to read the sensor 955, write / read to the memory 965, manage communication with the wearable 910, and update the firmware of the implant.

[0066] The wireless power receiving unit 975 is configured to convert the alternating voltage from the induction coil 995 into a clean (direct current) voltage by rectifying and stabilizing it, and supply power to the electronic components of the implant.

[0067] In some embodiments, the battery 980 may store energy for use during a power outage and / or energy for supplying power to the implanted device 905 to keep some functions running when the wearable 910 is not present.

[0068] The induction coil 995 is configured to convert an alternating magnetic field into an alternating electrical signal.

[0069] The wearable device 910 includes at least one driver 930, a plurality of light emitting sources 935, and an integrated optical element 940 having a plurality of windows.

[0070] The wearable device 910 further includes an induction coil 987, a wireless power transmission unit 989, and a controller 991.

[0071] During operation, the controller 991 supplies a digital signal to at least one driver 930, and the driver 930 converts the digital signal into at least one modulation signal to drive a plurality of light emitting sources 935. The light beam(s) emitted from the light emitting source(s) 935 contribute to form one optical signal. The integrated optical element 940 has a plurality of thin and robust optical windows, whereby it is possible to emit the optical signal from the wearable device 910 and safely incident the optical signal into the biological tissue 907. In the implanted device 905, at least one photodiode 945 receives the optical signal on the opposite side of the tissue and converts the received optical signal into an electrical signal. The electrical signal is amplified by at least one amplifier 950 and output to the receiving unit 960. The reconstructed data signal (reconstructed data signal) is connected to a control unit 978 programmed to control a stimulation generation unit 998 to supply a stimulation signal to the tissue 982.

[0072] The wearable device 910 may be configured to transmit power from the wireless power transmission unit 989 to the wireless power receiving unit 975 of the implanted device 905 via the induction coils 987, 995. Also, the wearable device 910 may be configured to program the control unit 970 from the control unit 991 via the induction coils 987, 995.

[0073] Although the exemplary embodiments have been specifically illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made to the form and details without departing from the scope of the embodiments encompassed by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A transcutaneous optical communication system comprising an implantable optical transmitting device and an external optical receiving device, the implantable optical transmitter includes a hermetically sealed housing having a cavity, a distal end, and a proximal end, at least one driver, a plurality of light-emitting sources, and an optical element disposed in the cavity, each of the at least one driver configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulated signal to drive at least one of the light-emitting sources, each light-emitting source configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulated signal, each light beam contributing to an optical signal, the optical element configured to guide the light beams to exit the proximal end of the hermetically sealed housing in a distribution pattern such that a distance between a peak position of light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak position of light intensity of an adjacent light beam is greater than or equal to a first distance and less than a second distance; the implantable optical transmitter is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on a characteristic of the biological tissue; the optical receiving device includes at least one photodiode configured to detect light emitted from the plurality of light emission sources and to generate an external detection signal in response thereto, an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the external detection signal, and a clock data recovery circuit connected to receive the amplified detection signal and configured to generate a reconstructed data signal.

2. A transcutaneous optical communication system comprising an implantable optical transmitting device and an external optical receiving device, the implantable optical transmitter includes at least one driver, a plurality of light-emitting sources, and an optical element, each of the at least one driver configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulated signal to drive at least one of the light-emitting sources, each light-emitting source configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulated signal, each light beam contributing to form an optical signal, the optical element configured to guide the light beams to be emitted from the implantable optical transmitter in a distribution pattern such that a distance between a peak position of the light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak position of the light intensity of an adjacent light beam is equal to or greater than a first distance and less than a second distance, the implantable optical transmitter is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on a characteristic of the biological tissue, The system, wherein the optical receiver is configured to detect light emitted from the plurality of light sources.

3. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first distance is greater than 0.5 millimeters and the second distance is less than 50 millimeters.

4. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a plurality of optical windows.

5. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of optical windows comprises a lens, an anti-reflective coating, a diffusing layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the lens is a plano-concave lens.

7. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the embedded optical transmitter further includes a ferrule mounted at the proximal end of the housing and configured to accommodate the plurality of optical windows, the ferrule having a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of optical windows, the plurality of optical windows recessed from a top surface of the ferrule.

8. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the plurality of light emitting sources comprises N light emitting sources and the plurality of optical windows comprises M optical windows, where N is greater than or equal to M.

9. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical element comprises a single optical window.

10. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the single optical window comprises a lens, an anti-reflective coating, a diffusing layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

11. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the embedded optical transmitter further comprises: a ferrule having a plurality of openings mounted at the proximal end of the housing, the single optical window recessed from the proximal end of the housing by at least a wall thickness of the ferrule.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of light emitting sources comprises N light emitting sources and the plurality of apertures comprises M apertures, where N is greater than or equal to M.

13. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting sources comprises one of a light emitting diode and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

14. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein a first group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and a second group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises light emitting diodes.

15. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are configured to operate between 400 nm and 1400 nm.

16. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are configured to operate between 600 nm and 1300 nm.

17. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one driver is configured to operate based on on-off modulation.

18. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one driver is configured to operate according to amplitude shift keying.

19. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable optical transmitter further comprises an analog front-end circuit configured to convert a physiological signal into the digital data signal.

20. Using an embedded optical transmitter, converting the digital data signal into at least one modulated signal; generating, by at least one of a plurality of light sources, a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, each light beam contributing to form an optical signal; guiding the light beams to be emitted from the embedded optical transmitter in a pattern distribution such that a distance between a peak position of the light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak position of the light intensity of an adjacent light beam is equal to or greater than a first distance and less than a second distance; It is equipped with the implantable optical transmitter is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on characteristics of the biological tissue; Transcutaneous optical communication method.

21. 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: with an external optical receiving device positioned to detect at least one of said optical beams; at least one photodiode detecting light emitted from said plurality of light sources and generating an external detection signal in response thereto; amplifying the external detection signal; receiving the amplified detection signal to generate a reconstructed data signal; A method comprising:

22. Using an embedded optical transmitter, generating a light beam from at least one of the plurality of light sources in response to at least one corresponding modulation signal, each light beam contributing to form an optical signal; guiding the light beams to be emitted from the embedded optical transmitter in a pattern distribution such that a distance between a peak position of the light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak position of the light intensity of an adjacent light beam is equal to or greater than a first distance and less than a second distance; It is equipped with the implantable optical transmitter is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on characteristics of the biological tissue; Transcutaneous optical communication method.

23. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first distance is greater than 0.5 millimeters and the second distance is less than 50 millimeters.

24. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the guiding step is performed by an optical element having a plurality of optical windows.

25. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the guiding step is performed by an optical element having a single optical window.

26. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of light emitting sources comprises one of a light emitting diode and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

27. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein a first group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and a second group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises light emitting diodes.

28. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of generating a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal is performed based on on-off modulation.

29. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of generating a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal is performed based on amplitude shift keying.

30. 21. The method of claim 20 further comprising: converting a physiological signal into said digital data signal; A method comprising:

31. 1. An implantable device comprising: a sealed housing having a cavity, a distal end, and a proximal end; at least one driver, a plurality of light-emitting sources, and an optical element are disposed in the cavity, each of the at least one driver configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal to drive at least one of the light-emitting sources, each light-emitting source configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, each light beam contributing to an optical signal, and the optical element configured to direct the light beams to exit the proximal end of the hermetic housing in a pattern distributed such that a distance between a peak in light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak in light intensity of an adjacent light beam is greater than or equal to a first distance and less than a second distance; the device is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on a characteristic of the biological tissue. Implantable devices.

32. An implantable device comprising at least one driver, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an optical element, each of the at least one driver is configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal to drive at least one of the light source, each light source is configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, each light beam contributing to an optical signal; and the optical element is configured to direct the light beams to exit the device in a distribution pattern such that a distance between a peak in light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak in light intensity of an adjacent light beam is greater than or equal to a first distance and less than a second distance; the device is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on a characteristic of the biological tissue. Implantable devices.

33. 32. The implantable device of claim 31, wherein the first distance is greater than 0.5 millimeters and the second distance is less than 50 millimeters.

34. 32. The implantable device of claim 31, wherein the optical element comprises a plurality of optical windows. Implantable devices.

35. 35. The implantable device of claim 34, wherein each of the plurality of optical windows comprises a lens, an anti-reflective coating, a diffusing layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

36. 36. The implantable device of claim 35, wherein the lens is a plano-concave lens.

37. 35. The implantable device of claim 34, further comprising: a ferrule located at the proximal end of the housing and configured to receive the plurality of optical windows; wherein the ferrule has a plurality of openings aligned with the plurality of optical windows, the plurality of optical windows being recessed from a top surface of the ferrule.

38. 35. An implantable device according to claim 34, wherein said plurality of light emitting sources comprises N light emitting sources and said plurality of optical windows comprises M optical windows, where N is greater than or equal to M.

39. 32. The implantable device of claim 31, wherein the optical element comprises a single optical window.

40. 40. The implantable device of claim 39, wherein the single optical window comprises a lens, an anti-reflective coating, a diffusing layer, a microstructured surface, or any combination thereof.

41. 40. The implantable device of claim 39, further comprising: An implantable device comprising a ferrule mounted at the proximal end of the housing and having a plurality of openings, the single optical window recessed from the proximal end of the housing by at least a wall thickness of the ferrule.

42. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of light emitting sources comprises N light emitting sources and the plurality of apertures comprises M apertures, where N is greater than or equal to M.

43. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein each of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises one of a light emitting diode and a vertical cavity surface emitting laser.

44. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein a first group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises vertical cavity surface emitting lasers and a second group of said plurality of light emitting sources comprises light emitting diodes.

45. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of light emitting sources are configured to operate between 400 nm and 1400 nm.

46. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of light emitting sources are configured to operate between 600 nm and 1300 nm.

47. 42. An implantable device according to claim 41, wherein the at least one driver is configured to operate on an on-off modulation basis.

48. 42. The implantable device of claim 41, wherein the at least one driver has an amplitude deviation The implantable device is configured to operate based on the modulation.

49. 42. The implantable device of claim 41, further comprising: an analog front-end circuit configured to convert a physiological signal into the digital data signal; An implantable device comprising:

50. A transcutaneous optical communication system comprising an external optical transmitting device and an implantable optical receiving device, the optical transmitter includes a housing in which at least one driver, a plurality of light emitting sources, and an optical element are disposed, each of the at least one driver being configured to convert a digital data signal into at least one modulation signal to drive at least one of the light emitting sources, each light emitting source being configured to generate a light beam in response to a corresponding one of the at least one modulation signal, each light beam contributing to form an optical signal, and the optical element being configured to guide the light beams to exit the housing in a distribution pattern such that a distance between a peak position of light intensity of each light beam and a corresponding peak position of light intensity of an adjacent light beam is equal to or greater than a first distance and less than a second distance; the implantable optical receiving device includes at least one photodiode configured to detect light emitted from the plurality of light emission sources and to generate an external detection signal in response thereto; an amplifier circuit configured to amplify the external detection signal; a receiver connected to receive the amplified detection signal and configured to generate a reconfiguration data signal; a controller configured to convert the reconfiguration data signal into a control signal; and a stimulus generator configured to generate a stimulus signal based on the control signal; the implantable optical receiving device is configured to be implanted in biological tissue, and the first distance and the second distance are based on characteristics of the biological tissue; system.

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