SYSTEMS CONFIGURED TO LOCATE A PHOTONIC DEVICE DISPOSED IN A LIVING SUBJECT, AND RELATED APPARATUSES AND METHODS
In an embodiment, a system includes a biocompatible photonic device configured for disposal within a living subject and a location-indicating aid associated with the photonic device. The location-indicating aid is configured to facilitate locating the biocompatible photonic device within the living subject. Related apparatuses and methods of use are also disclosed.
1 .- 64 . (canceled)
65 . A method, comprising:
transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject;
receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the transmitting; and
converting the one or more optical power signals into electrical energy using the optical-electrical converter.
66 . The method of claim 65 , further comprising powering at least one device disposed within the living subject using the electrical energy.
67 . The method of claim 65 , wherein the at least one device includes at least one of a drug delivery device, a micro-electro-mechanical device, a bone extension device, a biosensor, or a neurostimulator.
68 . The method of claim 65 , wherein receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the transmitting includes receiving the one or more optical power signals having at least one infrared peak wavelength.
69 . The method of claim 65 , wherein receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the transmitting includes receiving the one or more optical power signals having at least one visible peak wavelength.
70 . The method of claim 66 , further comprising storing the electrical energy prior to powering the at least one device.
71 . The method of claim 70 , wherein storing the electrical energy prior to powering includes storing the electrical energy in an energy-storage device.
72 . The method of claim 65 , wherein transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject includes reflecting the one or more signals from a location-indicating aid disposed at least proximate to the optical-electrical converter.
73 . The method of claim 65 , wherein transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject includes transmitting one or more radio-frequency signals that encode the location of the optical-electrical converter.
74 . The method of claim 65 , wherein transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject includes transmitting one or more optical signals that encode the location of the optical-electrical converter.
75 .- 115 . (canceled)
116 . A method, comprising:
transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject;
receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the transmitting;
converting the one or more optical power signals into electrical energy using the optical-electrical converter; and
powering at least one device disposed within the living subject using the electrical energy, wherein the at least one device includes at least one of a drug delivery device, a micro-electro-mechanical device, a bone extension device, a biosensor, or a neurostimulator.
117 . The method of claim 116 , wherein transmitting one or more signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject includes reflecting the one or more signals from a retroreflector disposed at least proximate to the optical-electrical converter.
118 . The method of claim 117 , wherein the retroreflector includes a corner cube, a reflective device, or a refractive device.
119 . A method, comprising:
transmitting one or more optical signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject;
receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the one or more optical signals;
converting the one or more optical power signals into electrical energy using the optical-electrical converter; and
powering at least one drug delivery device disposed within the living subject using the electrical energy.
120 . The method of claim 119 , wherein transmitting one or more optical signals from a living subject that are indicative of a location of an optical-electrical converter disposed within the living subject includes reflecting the one or more optical signals from a retroreflector disposed at least proximate to the optical-electrical converter.
121 . The method of claim 120 , wherein the retroreflector includes a corner cube, a reflective device, or a refractive device.
122 . The method of claim 119 , wherein receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the one or more optical signals includes receiving the one or more optical power signals having at least one infrared peak wavelength.
123 . The method of claim 119 , wherein receiving one or more optical power signals with the optical-electrical converter, which are transmitted transdermally into the living subject responsive to the one or more optical signals includes receiving the one or more optical power signals having at least one visible peak wavelength.
124 . The method of claim 119 , further comprising storing the electrical energy prior to powering the at least one drug delivery device.
125 . The method of claim 124 , wherein storing the electrical energy prior to powering the at least one drug delivery device includes storing the electrical energy in an energy-storage device.