Spectros Corporation

Michael R Fierro

David A Benaron

Ilian H Parachikov

Marvin Hutt

An implantable ischemia detection system in which a white LED () produces a continuous, visible, broadband light illuminating a target site (). Light backscattered by the target is collected by a sensor (), allowing for an index of ischemia to be determined, and subsequently transmitted by a sending unit (). Power is provided by an internal power source (). The entire implantable device is encapsulated by a biocompatible shell () to add long-term safety with regard to implantation.

Implantable tissue ischemia sensor

An improved hybrid connector for rapidly, reliably, and reversibly making mixed optical and electrical connections has a plug () with one or more centrally located fiber-containing optical ferrules () and one or more peripheral electrical contacts (), and second, a socket () with interior electrical contacts () and a fiber-bearing central floating optical connector (). Insertion and rotation of a shaft () of the plug into a bore () of the socket connects the respective electrical contacts of the shaft and socket, and nearly-simultaneously couples the respective optical fibers of the plug ferrule and socket connector, thus creating a rapid, reversible, and low-cost hybrid connection optimized for both the electrical and optical requirements of a mixed optical and electrical connection.

Growing community of inventors

Los Gatos, CA, United States of America

Michael R Fierro