Transdermal Photonic Energy Transmission Devices and Methods
An output assembly comprises at least one light detector configured for placement under skin near a temporal bone so as to couple with a behind the ear unit coupled with the Pinna. The area of the at least one detector may comprise an area to couple with a light source. As the area of the detector under the skin can be large the at least one detector under the skin can couple efficiently with a light source. An input transducer assembly can be configured to transmit light energy to the output assembly with the multiplexed optical signal through the skin tissue. The multiplexed optical signal may comprise a pulse width modulated signal so as to decrease the effect of non-linearities of the light source and light detector and provide quality sound to the user.
1 . A method of transmitting light energy to a device implanted in a user having a skin disposed over temporal bone, the method comprising:
transmitting the light energy through the skin disposed over the temporal bone to the implanted device.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the skin comprises skin disposed over a mastoid process of the temporal bone.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising generating the light energy with a light source.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the light source comprises at least one of a light emitting diode or a laser diode.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the light source comprises the laser diode.
6 . The method of claim 5 further comprising an output assembly configured for placement at least partially behind a pinna of an ear of the user and wherein the output assembly comprises the laser diode.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the light energy comprises infrared light energy.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the light energy is received by at least one photodetector positioned under the skin.
9 . The method of claim 8 wherein the implanted device comprises an output assembly comprising the at least one photodetector.
10 . The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one photodetector comprises at least one of crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon, black silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide or indium gallium arsenide.
11 .- 29 . (canceled)
30 . A system to transmit an audio signal to a user having an ear and skin disposed over a temporal bone, the system comprising:
an input assembly comprising at least one light source configured to emit a light energy, the input assembly configured for placement at least partially behind the ear of the user;
an output assembly comprising at least one detector configured to receive the light energy to stimulate tissue, the at least one detector configured for placement at least partially under the skin disposed over the temporal bone to couple with the input assembly.
31 . The system of claim 30 wherein the input assembly is configured to transmit a signal comprising a plurality of pulses of the light energy to stimulate the tissue and wherein the input assembly comprises circuitry configured to determine widths of the plurality of light pulses to transmit the signal to the at least one detector in response to an input signal.
32 . The system of claim 30 wherein the skin comprises skin disposed at least partially over a mastoid process of the temporal bone.
33 . The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one light source comprises at least one of a light emitting diode or a laser diode.
34 . The system of claim 33 wherein the light source comprises the laser diode.
35 . The system of claim 34 wherein the output assembly is configured for placement at least partially behind a pinna of the ear of the user and wherein the output assembly comprises the laser diode.
36 . The system of claim 30 wherein the light energy comprises infrared light energy.
37 . The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one photodetector comprises at least one of crystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, micromorphous silicon, black silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium gallium selenide or indium gallium arsenide.
38 . The system of claim 30 wherein the at least one photodetector is coupled to at least one of an implantable actuator of the output assembly, an implantable cochlear electrode of the output assembly, or an implantable light source of the output assembly to stimulate the tissue.
39 . The system of claim 38 wherein the at least one photodetector is coupled to the implantable actuator and wherein the implantable actuator comprises at least one of a coil, a coil and a magnet, a piezoelectric transducer, a balanced armature transducer or a magnetostrictive transducer.
40 .- 57 . (canceled)
58 . A method of providing a device for a user, the method comprising:
making an incision in a skin of the user, the skin disposed over a temporal bone of the user; and
passing at least one photodetector through the incision to position the at least one photo detector under skin disposed over the mastoid process of the temporal bone.
59 . (canceled)
60 . A device to stimulate tissue, the device comprising:
means transmitting an optical signal; and
means for receiving the optical signal.