SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTOGENETIC THERAPY
Configurations are described for utilizing light-activated proteins within cell membranes and subcellular regions to assist with medical treatment paradigms, such as hypertension treatment via anatomically specific and temporally precise modulation of renal plexus activity. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-sensitive proteins to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides systems, devices, and methods for millisecond-timescale temporal control of certain cell activities using moderate light intensities, such as the generation or inhibition of electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells.
1 . A system for illuminating a targeted tissue structure of a patient comprising light sensitive protein, comprising:
an implantable optical applicator configured to engage the outer surface of the targeted tissue structure and to deliver light directly to the targeted tissue structure, the implantable optical applicator operatively coupled to a light source configured to deliver photons to the implantable optical applicator which may be emitted by the applicator into the targeted tissue structure.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is immediately coupled to the implantable optical applicator, and wherein the light source is operatively coupled to a power supply and controller, such that the controller activates the light source by controlling current thereto from the power supply.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the light source is operatively coupled to the power supply and controller with a delivery segment configured to carry electrical current.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the power supply is implantable.
5 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is implantable.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the power supply is coupled to one or more implantable inductive coils configured to receive magnetic flux from a transcutaneous magnetic flux source configured to recharge the implantable power supply.
7 . The system of claim 6 , further comprising a transcutaneous magnetic flux source configured to be positioned in a charging position near the skin adjacent the one or more implantable inductive coils.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the transcutaneous magnetic flux source is coupled to a mounting device configured to retain the transcutaneous magnetic flux source in the charging position for a period of time while the patient is active.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the mounting device is selected from the group consisting of: a vest, a sling, a strap, a shirt, and a pant.
10 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the power supply and controller are housed within a common implantable housing.
11 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tissue structure comprising the light sensitive protein has been genetically modified to encode an opsin protein.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the opsin protein is an inhibitory opsin protein.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the inhibitory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: NpHR, eNpHR 1.0, eNpHR 2.0, eNpHR 3.0, Mac, Mac 3.0, Arch, and ArchT.
15 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the opsin protein is a stimulatory opsin protein.
16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the stimulatory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: ChR2, C1V1-T, C1V1-TT, CatCh, VChR1-SFO, and ChR2-SFO.
17 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is implantable.
18 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising a delivery segment intercoupled between the implantable light source and the implantable optical applicator, the delivery segment configured to propagate light from the implantable light source to the implantable optical applicator.
19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the delivery segment comprises a waveguide configured to propagate substantially all light that is passed through it via total internal reflection.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the implantable light source is operatively coupled to a power supply and controller, such that the controller activates the light source by controlling current thereto from the power supply.
21 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the implantable light source, power supply, and controller are housed within a common implantable housing.
22 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the implantable light source comprises a light emitting diode.
23 . The system of claim 20 , wherein the power supply is coupled to one or more implantable inductive coils configured to receive magnetic flux from a transcutaneous magnetic flux source configured to recharge the implantable power supply.
24 . The system of claim 23 , further comprising a transcutaneous magnetic flux source configured to be positioned in a charging position near the skin adjacent the one or more implantable inductive coils.
25 . The system of claim 24 , wherein the transcutaneous magnetic flux source is coupled to a mounting device configured to retain the transcutaneous magnetic flux source in the charging position for a period of time while the patient is active.
26 . The system of claim 25 , wherein the mounting device is selected from the group consisting of: a vest, a sling, a strap, a shirt, and a pant.
27 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tissue structure comprising the light sensitive protein has been genetically modified to encode an opsin protein.
28 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the opsin protein is an inhibitory opsin protein.
29 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the inhibitory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: NpHR, eNpHR 1.0, eNpHR 2.0, eNpHR 3.0, Mac, Mac 3.0, Arch, and ArchT.
30 . The system of claim 27 , wherein the opsin protein is a stimulatory opsin protein.
31 . The system of claim 28 , wherein the stimulatory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: ChR2, C1V1-T, C1V1-TT, CatCh, VChR1-SFO, and ChR2-SFO.
32 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the light source is an extracorporeal light source, and wherein an implantable light conductor is operatively coupled between the extracorporeal light source and the implantable optical applicator, the implantable light conductor being configured to be implanted between the implantable optical applicator and a second location selected to receive photons from the extracorporeal light source and direct them, at least in part, to the implantable optical applicator.
33 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the second location is entirely encapsulated by tissue, and wherein the implantable light conductor is configured to receive the photons from the extracorporeal light source through a relatively thin layer of tissue.
34 . The system of claim 33 , wherein the relatively thin layer of tissue has a maximum thickness of between about 100 microns and about 1 millimeter.
35 . The system of claim 32 , wherein the second location is directly extracorporeally accessible.
36 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the tissue structure comprising the light sensitive protein has been genetically modified to encode an opsin protein.
37 . The system of claim 36 , wherein the opsin protein is an inhibitory opsin protein.
38 . The system of claim 37 , wherein the inhibitory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: NpHR, eNpHR 1.0, eNpHR 2.0, eNpHR 3.0, Mac, Mac 3.0, Arch, and ArchT.
39 . The system of claim 36 , wherein the opsin protein is a stimulatory opsin protein.
40 . The system of claim 37 , wherein the stimulatory opsin protein is selected from the group consisting of: ChR2, C1V1-T, C1V1-TT, CatCh, VChR1-SFO, and ChR2-SFO.