Abstract: An implantable apparatus for physiological measurement in a host organism has an implantable sample chamber having a measurement port and live cells that are treated to fluoresce in response to light having an excitation wavelength. An optical sensor housing implanted within the host organism has a window to convey excitation light output and receive fluorescent light; a coupling that couples the measurement port of the sample chamber to the window; an optical chamber partitioned into an excitation sub-chamber and a detection sub-chamber, wherein both sub-chambers are in optical communication with the window; an excitation source energizable to direct excitation light through the excitation sub-chamber and to the window; and a detector in the path of fluorescent light received from the live cells. A signal processing apparatus is energizable to acquire and process a detector signal and to transmit a processed signal that is indicative of fluorescent light energy.

Abstract: An intra-body communication system for monitoring physiological changes in a patient is provided. The system can include a first device implanted into a patient's body; a second device spaced apart from the first device; and a receiver for detecting and/or decoding the signals to monitor physiological changes in the patient. The first device and second device are capable of engaging in a two-way communication through transmission of one or more signals through at least a portion of the patient's body between the first device and the second device. In one embodiment, the signal may be an optical signal.