Implantable Ball-Lens Coupling for Stable Optical Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional implantable stimulation systems face challenges in efficiently coupling light from a light source into an optical waveguide due to alignment difficulties in the limited space available, which is crucial for delivering light to the stimulation site.
Innovation Solution
The use of a ball lens positioned between the light source and the optical waveguide to facilitate light coupling, with a fixture holding the light source, optical waveguide, and ball lens in a fixed arrangement, and a lead with conductors to electrically couple the light source to terminals, along with a control module for programming light pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a ball lens is used to couple light from the light source into the optical waveguide, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional lens component and alignment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A ball lens is introduced as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the optical waveguide to facilitate efficient light coupling. The ball lens acts as a mediator that transforms the light emission pattern from the LED to match the acceptance characteristics of the waveguide core, thereby improving coupling efficiency despite adding a component to the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical coupling system is segmented into distinct functional components: the light source (LED), the ball lens for beam shaping, and the optical waveguide for light transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and facilitates modular assembly and alignment within the implantable device.
2Productivity
If the ball lens is spaced apart from both the emission surface and the waveguide end, then light coupling is improved, but the available space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical components are arranged in a linear axial dimension rather than attempting lateral or planar integration. By spacing components along the optical axis (length dimension), the design accommodates the ball lens at an optimal distance from both the LED emission surface and the waveguide end, achieving efficient coupling while managing the limited implantable volume through directional arrangement.
3Reliability
If a fixture is used to hold the light source, optical waveguide, and ball lens in a fixed arrangement, then alignment stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source, ball lens, and optical waveguide are merged into a single integrated fixture assembly. This combined structure maintains the precise spatial relationships and alignments between components through rigid mechanical coupling, ensuring stable optical performance while consolidating multiple functions into one unit that can be implanted as a single device.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively couples light from the light source into the optical waveguide, enabling stable and efficient delivery of optical stimulation to the target site, with the option for combined electrical stimulation, and allows for programmable control of light intensity and frequency.
Implementation Method 1
a ball lens disposed between the light source and the optical waveguide and configured to receive the light emitted from the light source and direct the light onto the core at the first end of the optical waveguide
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
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Figure 3
AI summary
An implantable light generation arrangement for an optical or optical/electrical stimulation system includes a light source having an emission surface, wherein the light source is configured to generate light and emit the light from the emission surface; an optical waveguide having a first end and a core; a ball lens disposed between the light source and the optical waveguide and configured to receive the light emitted from the light source and direct the light onto the core at the first end of the optical waveguide; and a fixture holding the light source, optical waveguide, and ball lens in a fixed arrangement.