Implantable device with optical lead

1. An implantable active medical device system comprising:

an active medical device;

a lead extending between a proximal portion electrically coupled to the active medical device and a distal end portion configured to emit light, the distal end portion comprising:

a solid state light source disposed within a light transmissive ring element, the light transmissive ring element forming an exterior segment of the distal end portion, the light transmissive ring element defining at least a portion of a hermetic cavity; and

an optically coupling fluid that fills open space in the hermetic cavity wherein the optically coupling fluid substantially matches the index of refraction of the light transmissive ring element.

2. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the hermetic cavity is further defined by an end cap hermetically bonded to the light transmissive ring element.

3. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of solid state light sources are disposed within a single light transmissive ring element.

4. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of solid state light sources is activated independently of each other.

5. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of solid state light sources comprise two solid state light sources directing light in opposing directions.

6. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of solid state light sources comprise four solid state light sources directing light in four different directions.

7. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 3 wherein the plurality of solid state light sources comprise an array of at least ten solid state light sources.

8. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein only one solid state light source is disposed within a single light transmissive ring element and the single solid state light source emits light through an entire circumference of the single light transmissive ring element.

9. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the solid state light source emits light through an entire circumference of the light transmissive ring element.

10. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the solid state light source is a light emitting diode.

11. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the light transmissive ring element consists of sapphire.

12. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the solid state light source is completely disposed within the hermetic cavity.

13. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 further comprising one or more optical fibers coupled to the solid state light source.

14. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of optical fibers coupled to the solid state light source.

15. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 14 wherein the solid state light source is multiplexed across the plurality of optical fibers to selectively deliver light via the different fibers.

16. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the solid state light source transmits 360 degrees of light through the light transmissive ring element.

17. The implantable active medical device system according to claim 1 wherein the transmissive ring element comprises sapphire.