Abstract: A system and method for excitation of photosensitizers is configured to provide desired illumination on targeted eye tissue. The excitation system includes an optical module that generates illumination and a controller to power the optical module and control the shape, intensity or energy level, and duration of the illumination. The optical module includes a contact portion for interfacing with the eye, a treatment beam portion including a light emitter array to generate shaped light patterns and optics to focus the light patterns onto the eye, and a visualization portion to provide visual feedback of treatment through a visualization interface coupled with a microscope. A typical treatment involves the optical module being placed on a diseased eye of a patient by a clinician to project illumination on a diseased portion of the eye. The clinician typically views the eye through the microscope and the optical module during treatment.

Abstract: Methods for delivering light to a treatment site of a patient to administer a light therapy thereto are provided. A method includes steps of providing a portable power source, and a light source configured to provide light suitable for the light therapy for a period of at least two hours, and an optical fiber; positioning a distal portion of the optical fiber that is adapted to be disposed at the treatment site within a patient's body, where the light generated by the light source and conveyed by the optical fiber exits from the distal portion of the optical fiber; energizing the light source with the portable power supply; and administering the light treatment to the treatment site with the light source, wherein the patient is ambulatory without interruption of the light therapy during the treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for excitation of photosensitizers is configured to provide desired illumination on targeted eye tissue. The excitation system includes an optical module that generates illumination and a controller to power the optical module and control the shape, intensity or energy level, and duration of the illumination. The optical module includes a contact portion for interfacing with the eye, a treatment beam portion including a light emitter array to generate shaped light patterns and optics to focus the light patterns onto the eye, and a visualization portion to provide visual feedback of treatment through a visualization interface coupled with a microscope. A typical treatment involves the optical module being placed on a diseased eye of a patient by a clinician to project illumination on a diseased portion of the eye. The clinician typically views the eye through the microscope and the optical module during treatment.

Abstract: A flux generator base unit electromagnetically coupled with a receiving unit to transfer energy into the receiving unit. The base unit includes one or more permanent magnets that produce a magnetic flux, which passes through a receiver coil in the receiving unit. The receiver coil is either disposed in a separate housing that is electrically connected with a portable device, or integrated into the housing of the portable device. Either the permanent magnets or a flux shunt is moved in the base unit to produce the varying magnetic flux that is coupled to the receiver coil. As a result of the varying magnetic field experienced by the receiver coil, an electric current is induced in the receiver coil, which is conditioned (e.g., rectified, filtered, and regulated) by a conditioning circuit to charge a battery or energize electronics contained in the portable device.

Abstract: A lamp using solid-state light emitting sources is configured to be used in a conventional socket. The lamp includes a flexible substrate on which are mounted a plurality of light emitting sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) in spaced-apart array. In one embodiment, a flexible substrate configured as a generally rectangular panel formed into a cylindrical shape includes a plurality of conductive traces to which the LEDs are connected both mechanically and electrically. The flexible substrate is then enclosed within a light transmissive translucent cover that is attached to a base in which is disposed a power supply. The base is shaped and configured to be threaded into a conventional incandescent light socket and includes a center terminal through which AC line power is supplied to the power supply. The power supply provides an appropriate voltage and current to energize the light sources so that they produce a white light that is emitted radially outward around a longitudinal axis of the lamp.

Abstract: Exterior lighting assemblies for use on vehicles include a flexible substrate on which are mounted a plurality of solid-state light emitting devices. Preferably, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used for the solid-state light emitting devices, although other types of devices can alternatively be employed. The light emitting devices are connected to flexible conductive traces provided on the flexible substrate and leads are provided to connect to the power supply on the vehicle so that electrical current can be selectively supplied to energize the light emitting devices. The flexible substrate is adapted to be mounted on the exterior surface of a vehicle, for example, as a tail lamp assembly, or as a headlamp. Light emitting devices that emit different colored light can be used to provide red light to indicate slowing of the vehicle due to braking, amber light for turn signal indication, and white light to illuminate the surface over which the vehicle is traveling.

Abstract: A flux generator base unit electromagnetically couples with a portable device to transfer energy into the portable device. The base unit includes one or more permanent magnets or flux shunts that are moved (e.g., by a motor) to produce a magnetic flux coupled to a receiver coil of the portable device. The receiver coil is disposed in an elongate housing and is electrically connected with the portable device. The disposition of the elongate housing ensures that magnetic flux directed to the receiver coil generally does not affect electronic components within the portable device. Either the permanent magnet(s) or flux shunt(s) are moved within the base unit to produce the varying magnetic flux that is coupled to the receiver coil. Preferably, the receiver coil is combined with any antenna employed by the portable device.

Abstract: Methods for delivering light to a treatment site of a patient to administer a light therapy thereto are provided. A method includes steps of providing a portable power source, and a light source configured to provide light suitable for the light therapy for a period of at least two hours, and an optical fiber; positioning a distal portion of the optical fiber that is adapted to be disposed at the treatment site within a patient's body, where the light generated by the light source and conveyed by the optical fiber exits from the distal portion of the optical fiber; energizing the light source with the portable power supply; and administering the light treatment to the treatment site with the light source, wherein the patient is ambulatory without interruption of the light therapy during the treatment.

Abstract: A patient portable photodynamic therapy device securable to a patient includes a lightweight rechargeable battery and a cold cathode fluorescent (CCF) tube powered thereby. The CCF tube is coupled in light channeling relation to a proximal portion of a biocompatible optical fiber, which includes a distal portion with an optional diffuser that uniformly distributes light as it exits the distal portion. The distal end of the optical fiber is optionally provided with an anchoring balloon that can be inflated after the optical fiber is properly positioned at a treatment site within a patient's body. The balloon securely lodges the distal portion within the tissue at the treatment site, and is deflated to facilitate the removal of the optical fiber once the treatment is complete.

Abstract: A flux generator base unit electromagnetically coupled with a receiving unit to transfer energy into the receiving unit. The base unit includes one or more permanent magnets that produce a magnetic flux, which passes through a receiver coil in the receiving unit. The receiver coil is either disposed in a separate housing that is electrically connected with a portable device, or integrated into the housing of the portable device. Either the permanent magnets or a flux shunt is moved in the base unit to produce the varying magnetic flux that is coupled to the receiver coil. As a result of the varying magnetic field experienced by the receiver coil, an electric current is induced in the receiver coil, which is conditioned (e.g., rectified, filtered, and regulated) by a conditioning circuit to charge a battery or energize electronics contained in the portable device.

Abstract: A flux generator base unit electromagnetically coupled with a receiving unit to transfer energy into the receiving unit. The base unit includes one or more permanent magnets that produce a magnetic flux, which passes through a receiver coil in the receiving unit. The receiver coil is either disposed in a separate housing that is electrically connected with a portable device, or integrated into the housing of the portable device. Either the permanent magnets or a flux shunt is moved in the base unit to produce the varying magnetic flux that is coupled to the receiver coil. As a result of the varying magnetic field experienced by the receiver coil, an electric current is induced in the receiver coil, which is conditioned (e.g., rectified, filtered, and regulated) by a conditioning circuit to charge a battery or energize electronics contained in the portable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating substances such as beverages, soups, chemicals, etc., with heat produced by circulating electrical eddy currents. In one form of the device, a magnetic flux generating base produces a varying magnetic field by using an electric motor to move a plurality of permanent magnets. The varying magnetic field induces the eddy currents to circulate in a ferromagnetic conductor that is sealed in the bottom of a container resting on the magnetic flux generating base. Losses due to the eddy current produce heat that is transferred into the substance within the container. In another embodiment, the motor moves one or more magnetic flux shunts to vary the magnetic field experienced by the ferromagnetic conductor. The presence of the container on the magnetic flux generating base can be detected and used to control the operation of the electrical motor.

Abstract: Several different embodiments of a flexible polymer battery are disclosed in connection with providing a medical therapy. For example, the electrical current from the polymer battery may be used to energize light sources for administering light therapy. In one embodiment, the polymer battery is formed as a substantially elongate structure having one end attached to an internal receiver coil, and the other end attached to a medical device such as a light probe that is adapted to be implanted within a patient's body. The polymer battery thus provides a conductive link between the internal receiver coil, which is electromagnetically coupled to an external transmitter coil for recharging the battery, and the light probe which is energized with current supplied by the flexible polymer battery. In another embodiment, the polymer battery is used to support a substrate on which a plurality of light sources are mounted in spaced-apart array.

Abstract: The alignment and positioning of an external device relative to an internal device is indicated on a display and/or by an acoustical signal. In the disclosed application, the external device transcutaneously transmits electromagnetic energy to an internal receiver to provide electrical power for an implanted medical device. To ensure optimal coupling between the external transmitter and the internal receiver, two permanent magnets are disposed at spaced-apart positions on the internal receiver. The magnetic field strength of the permanent magnets is sensed by a pair of correspondingly spaced-apart Hall effect sensor on the external transmitter. As the external transmitter is moved about over the internal receiver, the signals produced by the Hall effect sensors drive a display of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that indicates when the maximum magnetic field strength is achieved, i.e.

Abstract: An external power head is energized by a motor causing movement of an element that produces a varying magnetic field, thereby inducing power in an implanted receiver coil within a patient's body. The external power head includes either one or more moving permanent magnets, or one or more moving elements that vary the magnetic flux coupled to the implanted receiver coil. As a result of the varying magnetic field experienced by the implanted receiver coil, an electric current flows from the implanted receiver coil to energize an implanted medical device.

Abstract: An external power head is energized by a motor causing movement of an element that produces a varying magnetic field, thereby inducing power in an implanted receiver coil within a patient's body. The external power head includes either one or more moving permanent magnets, or one or more moving elements that vary the magnetic flux coupled to the implanted receiver coil. As a result of the varying magnetic field experienced by the implanted receiver coil, an electric current flows from the implanted receiver coil to energize an implanted medical device.

Abstract: A magnet used for concentrating a medical substance carried by a magnetic fluid at an internal treatment site. The magnet is inserted through an opening in a patient's body and advanced to the internal treatment site. Although an electromagnet is used in one alternative embodiment, the magnet is preferably a super neodymium or other rare earth permanent magnet having a high field strength. A probe that includes the magnet is coated with a biologically inert material, such as a TEFLON.TM. polymer. Alternatively, a plurality of such magnets can be employed. In the preferred embodiment, a magnetic fluid that includes particles coated with a photoreactive agent is injected into the patient's body, preferably, immediately adjacent to or inside the treatment site. The particles in the magnetic fluid are attracted to the magnet at the treatment site, and the concentration of the photoreactive agent absorbed into the tissue around the magnet at the internal treatment site is enhanced.

Abstract: Several embodiments of relatively compact transmitter coils and receiver coils having an improved transcutaneous power transfer efficiency. The transmitter coils are preferably applied to the outer surface of a cutaneous layer on a patient's body and held in place using adhesive tape or other appropriate supporting material. Implanted within the patient's body is a receiver coil. To improve the power transfer efficiency of one embodiment, a transmitter coil and receiver coil include cores having pole faces with a substantially larger area than the cross section of the core at other locations. In addition, the core of the receiver coil is substantially shorter than that of the transmitter coil so that the lines of flux produced by the transmitter coil tend to pass through the pole faces of the receiver coil in greater density than they would if the pole faces of the transmitter and receiver cores were spaced identically.