Polymer optical fibre for active implantable medical devices (AIMD) and AIMD using same

Abstract

A polymer optical fibre (POF) (30) for transmitting light of wavelength, ?i, between two separate elements of an active implantable medical device (AIMD), includes a core (31) which is cylindrical and made of a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) or copolymer (COC), having a core refractive index at the wavelength, ?i, n_core, A cladding (32) which has a cladding refractive index at the wavelength, ?i, n_clad<n_core, and which is made of a cladding copolymer including monomers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. The cladding being itself enclosed in a coating (33) which is made of a coating polymer formed of one of the monomers of the cladding copolymer. The POF has a numerical aperture, NA, at the wavelength, ?i, of at least 0.5.

Claims

1. A polymer optical fibre (POF) (30) for transmitting light of a wavelength, ?i, between two separate elements of an active implantable medical device (AIMD), wherein the wavelength, ?i, is between 380 and 1800 nm and wherein said POF is a multimode optical fibre comprising a first end and a second end, and comprises: (a) a core (31) which is cylindrical and made of a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) or copolymer (COC), having a core refractive index n_core at the wavelength, ?i, the core being enclosed in (b) a cladding (32) which has a cladding refractive index n_clad<n_core at the wavelength and which is made of a cladding copolymer comprising monomers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, the cladding being itself enclosed in (c) a coating (33) which is made of a coating polymer comprising one of the monomers of the cladding copolymer, and wherein the coating polymer has a higher stiffness than the cladding copolymer, wherein the POF has a numerical aperture, NA, at the wavelength, ?i, of at least 0.5, wherein NA=((n_core).sup.2-(n_clad).sub.2).sup.1/2.

2. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein the cladding polymer is a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV).

3. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein the coating polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

4. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein the first end and/or the second end of the polymer optical fibre is polished, preferably mechanically, chemically, or mechanically-chemically polished.

5. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein the polymer optical fibre (30) has a diameter (D30) between 150 and 530 ?m, and wherein a diameter (D31) of the core (31) is between 100 and 300 ?m, and/or the cladding (32) has a thickness (D32) comprised between 5 and 50 ?m, or has an outer diameter (D32) comprised between 130 and 500 ?m, and/or the coating (33) has a thickness (t33) between 10 and 40 ?m.

6. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein at least two cores are enclosed in a single cladding, or at least two claddings enclosing one or more cores, are enclosed in a single coating (33).

7. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, wherein the core polymer has an attenuation lower than 4.0 dB/m, at least at one wavelength within the wavelength range from 550 nm to 875 nm.

8. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1, characterized by an optical loss relative to a straight fibre of less than 2% at a bend radius of 2 mm.

9. An optical lead (35) for transmitting light of wavelength, ?i, between two separate elements of an active implantable medical device (AIMD), comprising one or more than one polymer optical fibres (30) according to claim 1 enclosed in an outer tubing (35t).

10. The optical lead according to claim 9, wherein at least one polymer optical fibre is coloured.

11. The optical lead according to claim 9, which is visible to X-rays by including an X-ray visible additive to the outer tubing (35t) or to the coatings (33) of one or more of the polymer optical fibres of the optical lead.

12. An active implantable medical device (AIMD) comprising: (a) an encapsulation comprising a source of light emitting at least at a wavelength, ?i, comprised between 380 and 1800 nm, (b) a tissue coupling unit, separate from the encapsulation and comprising a photovoltaic cell and/or a photosensor, and/or an optrode, (c) the source of light of the encapsulation being optically coupled to the first end of a polymer optical fibre and the photovoltaic cell and/or photosensor and/or optrode of the tissue coupling unit, and being optically coupled to the second end of the polymer optical fibre, such that the source of light is in optical communication with the photovoltaic cell and/or photosensor and/or optrode through the polymer optical fibre; wherein the polymer optical fibre is according to claim 1.

13. The active implantable medical device according to claim 12, comprising more than one polymer optical fibres gathered in an outer tubing (35t) to form an optical lead enclosed in an outer tubing (35t).

14. The active implantable medical device according to claim 12, wherein the tissue coupling unit is a cuff electrode unit comprising a photovoltaic cell, and comprising: a support sheet (43) which is non-conductive, and has an inner surface and an outer surface separated from the inner surface by a thickness, wherein the support sheet is rolled about a longitudinal axis (Z), forming a cuff of substantially cylindrical geometry such that at least a portion of the inner surface forms an interior of the cuff, and such that at least a portion of the outer surface forms an exterior of the cuff, at least a first connector (40c) including an electrode contact, which is exposed at the inner surface of the cuff and wherein the photovoltaic cell is optically coupled to the second end of the polymer optical fibre and therethrough to the source of light emission (21L) and is electrically coupled to the electrode contact.

15. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1 wherein the wavelength, ?i, is between 650 and 1550 nm.

16. The polymer optical fibre according to claim 1 wherein the NA is at least 0.6.

17. The optical lead according to claim 10, wherein at least one polymer optical fibre comprises a coloured coating or a coloured cladding combined with a transparent coating.

18. The optical lead according to claim 10, which is visible to X-rays by including an X-ray visible additive to the outer tubing (35t) or to the coatings (33) of one or more of the polymer optical fibres of the optical lead.

19. The active implantable medical device according to claim 13, wherein the tissue coupling unit is a cuff electrode unit comprising a photovoltaic cell, and comprising: a support sheet (43) which is non-conductive, and has an inner surface and an outer surface separated from the inner surface by a thickness, wherein the support sheet is rolled about a longitudinal axis (Z), forming a cuff of substantially cylindrical geometry such that at least a portion of the inner surface forms an interior of the cuff, and such that at least a portion of the outer surface forms an exterior of the cuff, at least a first connector (40c) including an electrode contact, which is exposed at the inner surface of the cuff and wherein the photovoltaic cell is optically coupled to the second end of the polymer optical fibre and therethrough to the source of light emission (21L) and is electrically coupled to the electrode contact.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1: shows (a) an AIMD according to the present invention, comprising (b) an encapsulation unit, (c) a tissue coupling unit, and (d) an optical lead comprising a POF according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2: shows an optical fibre showing (a) principle of waveguide of a light beam by internal reflection at the core-cladding interface, (b) the numerical aperture (NA) and critical angle (?c), (c) bending angle and effect on the propagation of a light beam, and (d) plot of the critical angle as a function of NA, for a core having n_core=1.531.

(4) FIG. 3: shows the attenuation of various POF's compared with a GOF.

(5) FIG. 4: shows the chemical structures of (a) COP and COC of the core, (b) THV of the cladding, and (c) PVDF, PTFE, and PHFP of the coating.

(6) FIG. 5: shows three examples of optical leads comprising three POF's according to the present invention enclosed in (a) a sheath, (b) embedded in an outer coating, and (c) inserted in mating elongated orifices of a rod.

(7) FIG. 6: shows various embodiments of POF's, comprising, (a) a single core in a cladding and coating, (b) several core-cladding units embedded in a single coating, (c) several cores embedded in a single cladding and a single coating, and (d) several multicore-cladding units enclosed in a single coating, wherein each multicore-cladding unit comprises several cores in a single cladding.

(8) FIG. 7: shows various embodiments of optical leads comprising several POF's according to the embodiments (a) to (d) of FIG. 6 enclosed in an outer tubing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) As illustrated in FIG. 1(d), a polymer optical fibre (POF) (30) according to the present invention comprises a core (31) surrounded by a cladding (32) and itself surrounded by a coating (33). The POF is a multimode optical fibre comprising a first end and a second end and is designed for transmitting light of wavelength, ?i, between two separate elements of an active implantable medical device (AIMD), wherein the wavelength, ?i, is comprised between 380 and 1800 nm, preferably between 650 and 1550 nm, more preferably between 700 and 900 nm.

(10) Core (31)

(11) The core (31) is generally cylindrical and is made of a cyclic olefin polymer (COP) or copolymer (COC) which chemical structures are illustrated in FIG. 4(a). An example of COP is Zeonex, e.g., Zeonex 480 R available from ZEON CORPORATION, and an example of COC is TOPAS, e.g., TOPAS 5013 or TOPAS 8007 available from TOPAS Advanced Polymers, Inc.

(12) The core (31) has a core refractive index, n_core, at the wavelength, ?i. Cyclo olefin polymer/copolymer (COP, COC) is hydrophobic and has <0.01% water absorption which is substantially lower than PC or PMMA. COP's and COC's are dimensionally stable and the optical properties remain substantially stable upon exposure to various humidity environments. For example, Zeonex has a refractive index, n_core, varying from 1.509 to 1.535 depending on the grades, with n_core=1.531 at a wavelength of 486 nm for Zeonex E48 R, which remains stable for at least 14 days at 50? C. in an atmosphere of 90% RH. In comparison, the refractive index, n_core, of PMMA in the same test conditions varied from 1.490 to 1.492 due to moisture absorption.

(13) The core (31) of the POF preferably has a diameter (D31) comprised between 100 and 300 ?m, more preferably between 200 and 250 ?m, most preferably between 220 and 240 ?m. COP's and COC's can be drawn to such filament diameters with no particular problem.

(14) With a flexural modulus of the order of 2.1 GPa, cyclo-olefin polymer/copolymer (COP, COC) fibres are very flexible, even more than corresponding PMMA or PS fibres, with flexural moduli of the order of 3.0 GPa. Optical fibres comprising a COP or COC core can therefore be bent sharply without breaking, ensuring safety for long term implantations without any risk of brittle fracture. This requirement is essential for use of an optical fibre in an AIMD.

(15) The core polymer has an attenuation preferably lower than 4.0 dB/m, preferably lower than 3.6 dB/m, at least at one wavelength comprised within the wavelength range from 550 nm to 875 nm. COP's and COC's have an optical attenuation of the order of 2 to 3 dB/m (=2 to 3 10.sup.3 dB/km) in the wavelength range from 550 nm to 875 nm (cf. FIG. 3).

(16) Cladding (32)

(17) As explained supra, an optical fibre requires a core and a cladding to transport light from one end to the other of the optical fibre. The cladding (32) has a cladding refractive index at the wavelength, ?i, n_clad<n_core, to allow reflection of a light beam reaching the core-cladding interface (cf. FIG. 2(a)).

(18) The cladding of the present invention is made of a cladding copolymer comprising monomers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride. The cladding copolymer can be a terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride (THV), of chemical structure as illustrated in FIG. 4(b).

(19) It is preferred that the COP/COC core and the cladding materials be selected such as to yield a numerical aperture, NA=?{square root over (n.sub.core.sup.2?n.sub.clad.sup.2)}, at the wavelength, ?i, of at least 0.5, preferably at least 0.6, more preferably at least 0.7. For example, if the core is made of Zeonex E48R having a refractive index, n_core=1.531, a POF having a NA>0.7 is obtained with a cladding material having a refractive index, n_clad?1.36.

(20) Examples of suitable cladding materials include THV200, THV220, THV415, THV500, THV X610, and THV815. They have relatively low processing temperatures and are very flexible, which is very useful for decreasing the bending radius, R, of the POF. The refractive index of THV's varies between 1.353 and 1.363, depending on the grade. For example, THV500 has a refractive index, n_clad=1.355. A POF comprising a core made of Zeonex E48R with n_core=1.531 and a cladding made of THV500 with n_clad=1.355 yields a numerical aperture, NA=0.713. The corresponding critical angle of reflection, ?.sub.c=a sin (n.sub.clad/n.sub.core)=53 deg (cf. FIG. 2(d)).

(21) In one embodiment, a single core (31) is embedded in a cladding, as illustrated in FIGS. 1(d) and 6(a). In this embodiment, the cladding is preferably, albeit not necessarily, cylindrical. Alternatively, more than one core (31) can be enclosed in a single cladding, as illustrated in FIGS. 6(c) & 6(d).

(22) The cladding can have an outer diameter (D32) comprised between 130 and 500 ?m, preferably between 110 and 400 ?m. If the cladding (32) embeds a single core (31) (cf. FIGS. 1(d) and 6(a)), it can have a thickness (t32) comprised between 5 and 50 ?m, preferably between 7 and 25 ?m, more preferably between 10 and 15 ?m. For non-cylindrical claddings, the values of the hydraulic diameter have to be considered instead, wherein the hydraulic diameter is defined as Dh=4 A/P, wherein A and P are the area and perimeter of the cross-section of the core(s)-cladding unit.

(23) A POF made of a core (31) and a cladding (32) as described above, fulfil many of the criteria for being suitable as a POF for use with an implanted AIMD. It is hydrophobic, resistant to moisture, has excellent flexibility and good optical properties, and biocompatible grades of all materials are available off the shelves. Because an AIMD is self-powered, with a (rechargeable) battery enclosed in the encapsulation, all sources of optical losses must be minimized, viz., losses due to attenuation, bending, and coupling including polishing. The following points are potential sources of optical losses, which need be minimized. Attenuation lossesthis has been discussed supra and, with an attenuation of 2 to 3 dB/m over a POF length of about 0.4 m, attenuation is of the order of 0.8 to 1.2 dB, which is acceptable and typical of POF's. Bending lossesAs illustrated in FIG. 2(c), an optical fibre can be bent. One major advantage of POF's over GOF's is their higher flexibility allowing lower bending radii to be reached mechanically. Mechanical flexibility, however, is merely a necessary but non-sufficient condition for bending an optical fibre. Indeed, the angle of a light beam reaching the core-cladding interface in a bent section can become lower than in a straight section (cf. FIG. 2(c)). If the angle becomes smaller than the critical angle, ?c, the optical fibre cannot act as a waveguide anymore and the light beam can be refracted through the cladding (cf. dashed arrow at ?2<?c? in FIG. 2(c)). Since, as illustrated in FIG. 2(d), the critical angle, ?c, increases with the value of NA, bending losses are related to the NA of the fibre. The high NA of the core-cladding discussed supra yields low bending losses of optical power and full advantage of the (mechanical) flexibility of the POF's can be taken advantage of. Coupling lossesThis loss can be minimized by using specific optical fibres connectors, such as described in PCT/EP2018/073436. For a given connector, this loss is governed by the core diameter and the numerical aperture (NA) of the POF. High values of both core diameter and POF's AN-value matching the diameter and divergence of the laser source decreases the losses dues to coupling. With NA values generally greater than 0.7, the combination COP-core with a THV-cladding yields acceptable coupling losses. Polishing lossesThe sections of the POF's ends must be well polished in order to reduce the coupling power loss.

(24) Whilst the levels of optical power losses due to attenuation, coupling, and bending are agreeable for AIMD's applications, it was not possible to polish the ends of the core-cladding units discussed supra without fraying the cross-sectional surfaces, the cladding delaminating from the core. This resulted in levels of polishing losses unacceptable for AIMD's applications.

(25) Coating (33)

(26) In order to enhance the polishing of the cross-sectional surfaces of the POF's ends, the POF of the present invention further comprises a coating (33) made of a coating polymer comprising one of the monomers of the cladding copolymer, selected among monomers of tetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), hexafluoropropylene (PHFP) and vinylidene fluoride (PVDF) which chemical structures are illustrated in FIG. 4(c). Preferably, the coating polymer is polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The coating of the present invention is hydrophobic and absorbs substantially no moisture.

(27) The coating defines the outer layer of the POF and has a diameter (D30) which can be comprised between 150 and 530 ?m, preferably between 250 and 480 ?m. If the coating (33) is not cylindrical, these values apply to the hydraulic diameter thereof. In case the coating (33) encloses a single cladding (32) (cf. FIG. 6(a)&6(c)), the coating can have a thickness (t33) comprised between 10 and 40 ?m, preferably between 15 and 30 ?m, more preferably between 20 and 25 ?m.

(28) By applying a coating polymer as defined supra, the cross-sectional surfaces of the ends of the POF can be mechanically polished to high surface finish without any fraying. Without wishing to be bound by any theory, it is believed that polishing is enhanced by the use of a coating if the following two conditions are fulfilled: (a) the coating polymer has a higher stiffness than the cladding copolymer, and (b) the coating polymer adheres to the cladding copolymer.

(29) The coating (33) stabilizes the cladding (32), on the one hand, by its higher stiffness, thus restraining the movements of the cladding relative to the core, which adheres poorly thereto and, on the other hand, with its good adhesion to the cladding (32), the coating eliminates any movement of the cladding relative to the coating. For example, THV500 of the cladding (32) has a tensile modulus of about 200 MPa, and PVDF of the coating (33) has a tensile modulus of 1340 to 2000 MPa (PTFE has a tensile modulus of 400 to 800 MPa). The coating (33) of the present invention therefore fulfils the first condition (a)

(30) Finding a polymer adhering to the fluoro-copolymer of the cladding is a challenge, because fluoropolymers have very low surface energies and are therefore difficult to adhere to. By selecting as coating material, a polymer comprising one of the monomers of the cladding copolymer, selected among monomers of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene and vinylidene fluoride, adhesion between cladding and coating is optimized, since similar chemical structures face each other across the interface. Tests have been performed with a POF comprising a COP-core, a THV500-cladding, and a COP-coating, and the polishing results were not satisfactory, although COP's have a tensile modulus of 2100 to 2740 MPa depending on the grades, which is higher than PVDF's. This failure is ascribed to a poor adhesion of COP to THV500, such that the second condition (b) is not fulfilled. By replacing the COP-coating by a PVDF coating, polishing ran smoothly and an optimal surface finish was obtained at the ends of the POF.

(31) Furthermore, the first and second ends of the POF must be durably and reliably coupled to the encapsulation, e.g., facing a light source, and to the tissue coupling unit, e.g., facing a PV cell. To ensure that the optical fibre remains in perfect alignment with the corresponding optical elements, the first and second ends of the POF are inserted into corresponding cavities and glued in place with an adhesive. The cladding must therefore allow a good adhesion to the walls of the corresponding cavities, which can be made of a ceramic material, such as fused silica. The first and/or second ends of a POF can be glued to a cavity integral with the corresponding encapsulation and/or tissue coupling unit or, alternatively, to a cavity formed in a plug mating a socket integral with the corresponding encapsulation and/or tissue coupling unit. In an embodiment, the second end of a POF is glued directly to the tissue coupling unit, and the first end is glued to a plug mating a socket of the encapsulation. With this embodiment, a surgeon implants the tissue coupling unit provided with a POF to the corresponding tissue or nerve, drives subcutaneously the first end of the POF provided with the plug to the position of implantation of the encapsulation, and couples the plug to the socket of the encapsulation prior or after implanting the encapsulation. An example of plug suitable for use in an AIMD according to the present invention is described in PCT/EP2018073436.

(32) Though a fluorinated component, PVDF yields acceptable adhesion to cavity walls made of fused silica when using an epoxy or a silicon resin as adhesive. Adhesion can be further enhanced by a surface treatment of the coating surface, such as a plasma or a corona treatment, prior to applying the adhesive to the treated surface. It is preferred that the refractive index of the adhesive be as close as possible, preferably equal to the one of the core of the POF, such that the cavity can first be filled with adhesive followed by inserting an end of the POF into the adhesive filled cavity without refraction of the light beam exiting said end and propagating across the adhesive filling the cavity downstream of said end and covering the cross-section thereof.

(33) The coating must also allow easy insertion of the POF into and all along an orifice of an outer tubing (35t). The coating polymers of the present invention have excellent lubricity and can be inserted in close fitting orifices without any trouble.

(34) The refractive index of the coating (33) is not important to the present invention, since the waveguide is formed by the core (31) and cladding (32), whilst the coating (33) acts as a structural stabilizer only.

(35) In one embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1(d), 6(a), and 6(c), a single cladding (32) is embedded in the coating (33). As discussed supra, the cladding (32) can surround a single or several cores (31). In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6(b)&6(d), more than one cladding (32) can be embedded in a single coating (33). Again, each cladding can surround one or more cores (31).

(36) Polymer Optical Fibre (30) (POF)

(37) The polymer optical fibre (POF) (30) of the present invention is composed of a core (31) surrounded by a cladding (32), itself surrounded by a coating (33) as described supra. This POF has been developed for use in AIMD's applications, wherein an optical fibre is implanted in a patient's body to transport light between an encapsulation (50) and a tissue coupling unit (40), as illustrated in FIG. 1(a). The POF of the present invention fulfils all requirements for use in AIMD's applications. First and foremost, all the (co)polymers of the core (31), cladding (32), and coating (33) are available in biocompatible grades off the shelves. This is a mandatory condition before considering any implanted application.

(38) POF's are generally considered as having a low resistance to moisture, which is a major impediment in implantation applications into a very humid environment of a patient's body. Each of the (co)polymers forming the core, cladding, and coating are hydrophobic and are characterized by extremely low water absorption. They are dimensionally and optically very stable in humid environments. These are mandatory conditions for long term implantation applications.

(39) Like most POF's, the POF of the present invention is not brittle contrary to GOF's. This is very important for safety reasons, as breaking an optical fibre in a patient's body is of course to be avoided at all cost. The POF of the present invention is very flexible and can bend to a very small bending radius (R). An optical lead according to the present invention including one or more optical fibres enclosed in an outer tubing, resists without breaking over 47,000 cycles of bending at 90??5? at a frequency of 2 Hz according to EN 45502-2-1:2014 Active Implantable Medical Devices (Part 2-1).

(40) The mechanical flexibility of the POF of the present invention is combined with a high value of the numerical aperture, NA, of the order of 0.7, and of the corresponding critical angle, ?c, of the order of 52 to 53 deg (cf. FIG. 2(d)), which allows maintaining the waveguide function of the POF even when bent at low bending radii (R) (cf. FIG. 2(c)). For example the POF of the present invention can have an optical loss relative to a straight fibre of less than 2% at a bend radius R=2 mm. A high flexibility of the optical fibres coupled to low bending losses is advantageous for use with AIMD's, as the optical fibre may require folding and bending during implantation, to accommodate obstacles, an angle can be formed between the direction of insertion of the optical fibre to the tissue coupling unit and the direction of the optical fibre extending towards the position of the encapsulation, thus possibly forming acute angles in the optical fibre, and patient's movements can bend the optical fibre, and power transmission variations during such movements can only be avoided with optical fibres having low bending losses.

(41) Attenuation losses are in line with most POF's (cf. FIG. 3), and are agreeable in view of the limited length of the POF in an AIMD, generally not exceeding 40 to 50 cm. Coupling losses are minimized due to the high values of NA discussed supra.

(42) The last hurdle for use in AIMD's applications, that the cross-sectional surfaces of the ends of the POF's frayed upon polishing was solved by including a coating (33). By thus mechanically stabilizing the cladding (32) sandwiched between the core (31) and the coating (33), the POF of the present invention can be polished to reach a desired surface smoothness, required for reducing power losses at the level of connectors. The first end and/or the second end of the POF of the present invention is therefore preferably polished, preferably mechanically, chemically, or mechanically-chemically polished. More preferably they are mechanically polished to a desired surface finish.

(43) Optical Lead (35)

(44) In practice, a POF is seldom implanted loose, because it is so thin (outer diameter <530 ?m), that it would be very difficult to handle. In general, one or more POF's according to the present invention are enclosed in an outer tubing (35t), as illustrated in FIGS. 1(d), 5(a) & 5(b), and 7.

(45) In case more than one POF is enclosed in the outer tubing, it is preferred to be able to identify each POF at both ends thereof. This is important to ensure that a light source coupled to a first end of one of several POF's is coupled to the corresponding device (PV cell or photodetector) at the second end of the same POF. For example, the POF's can be coloured with a predefined code. This can be achieved by using a coloured coating (33) or, alternatively, a coloured cladding combined with a transparent coating (33). Alternatively, or concomitantly, the outer tubing can be provided with a coloured line or can have a non-revolution cross-section, including e.g., a groove or a protrusion extending along the length thereof, allowing the identification of the required orientation for proper connections of the POF's two ends.

(46) In yet a preferred embodiment, the optical lead (35) is visible to X-rays by including an X-ray visible additive, such as BaSO.sub.4, to the outer tubing (35t) or to the coatings (33) of one or more of the polymer optical fibres of the optical lead.

(47) In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5(a), the outer tubing can be in the form of a sheath, enclosing one or more POF's, which can be in contact with one another within the sheath. In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5(b), the outer tubing can be pultruded, embedding the individual POF's. In a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5(c), the outer tubing (35t) is a rod comprising a number of elongated parallel orifices extending over the whole length of the rod, having a diameter mating the geometry of the POF's which can be introduced individually in each orifice. In this embodiment, the coating (33) of the POF's must have good lubricity, to allow a smooth insertion of the POF's in the elongated orifices.

(48) The outer tubing (35t) can be made of polymer, preferably of a flexible polymer, such as an elastomer. For example, the tubing can be made of silicone. Of course, like all the other components, the outer tubing material must be biocompatible for medical applications.

(49) FIG. 7 shows different embodiments of optical leads comprising a number of POF's illustrated in FIG. 6.

(50) AIMD

(51) As illustrated in FIG. 1(a), the POF's of the present invention are designed specifically for use with optoelectronic active implantable medical devices (AIMD's) comprising an encapsulation unit (50), a tissue coupling unit (40) comprising electrodes and/or optrodes, and an optical lead (35) comprising one or more POF's (30).

(52) As partially shown in FIG. 1(b), the encapsulation unit (50) is formed by a housing (50h) defining an inner space enclosing one or more optical components including one or more sources of light emission (21L), light sensors, micro-optics components (e.g., lenses), an electronic unit (e.g., an analogue and/or digital circuit) for controlling the one or more sources of light emission and/or for processing any information received from a light sensor, and a source of power for powering the at least one source of light emission and the electronic unit. The source of light emission (21L) emits at least at a wavelength, XI, comprised between 380 and 1800 nm, preferably between 600 and 1500 nm, more preferably between 700 and 900 nm. An example of encapsulation unit suitable for the present invention is described in WO2018068807.

(53) The tissue coupling unit (40) typically can also comprise optical components. If the tissue coupling unit comprises electrodes, they can be activated by transmitting optical energy to a photovoltaic cell located in a connector (40c) of the tissue coupling unit and converting the optical energy into electrical energy and conducting the latter to the electrodes. The optical components can also comprise a photosensor or a source of light emission emitting at least at the wavelength, ?I, comprised between 380 and 1800 nm, preferably between 600 and 1500 nm, more preferably between 700 and 900 nm. The source of light emission of the tissue coupling unit can be used, e.g., as a feedback signal. The tissue coupling unit can also be provided with an optrode.

(54) As illustrated in FIG. 1(c), if the tissue to be treated is a nerve, the tissue coupling unit (40) can be in the form of a cuff comprising a support which can be rolled around the nerve to be treated with the electrodes contacting said nerve or with the optrode pointing at said nerve. Examples of cuff electrodes suitable for the present invention are described in PCT/EP2017/081408. Other geometries are adapted for treatments of other tissues, and are well known in the art. The present invention is not restricted to any specific geometry of the tissue coupling unit.

(55) Optical communication between the encapsulation (50) and the tissue coupling unit (40) is ensured by the optical lead (35) comprising one or more POF's according to the present invention. The optical lead (35) has a length of the order of up to 40 or 50 cm and has excellent flexibility, being able to bend with a radius of less than 2 mm without breaking. Optical losses in the POF's themselves can be attributed to attenuation losses, illustrated in FIG. 3, and bending losses (cf. FIG. 2(b), both properties discussed supra and considered as agreeable even at bending radii as low as 2 mm, when POF's according to the present invention are used.

(56) The first and second ends of the optical lead (35) must be connected in optical communication with the optical components of the encapsulation (50) and the tissue coupling unit (40). The connectors (40c, 50c) of the optical lead (35) to the encapsulation (50) and to the tissue coupling unit (40) must therefore be optimized to ensure perfect alignment with the optical components of the encapsulation (50) and the tissue coupling unit (40). Examples of connectors (50c) between an optical lead (35) and an encapsulation (50) are described in PCT/EP2018/073426 and WO2015164571. Examples of connectors (40c) between an optical lead (35) and a tissue coupling unit (40) are described in WO2019042553.

(57) For a given set of connectors (40c, 50c) and optical components, coupling losses are due to the NA of the optical fibres, and the surface finish of the first and second ends of each POF. With POF's according to the present invention, the NA of the order of 0.7 and higher ensures that the coupling losses are limited, and thanks to the stabilization effect of the coating (33) on the cladding (32) and core (31), the POF's ends can be mechanically polished to the desired surface finish to reduce coupling losses due to poor surface finish.

(58) For example, the encapsulation (50) can comprise a source of light emission (21L) and the tissue coupling unit (40) can comprise a photovoltaic cell in conductive communication with electrodes. The optical lead (35) must transport optical energy provided by the source of light emission (21L) to the photovoltaic cell with as little losses as possible. This is made possible with the POF's of the present invention. Further, the tissue coupling unit (40) may be provided with a source of feedback light, coupled to the electrodes and being activated when the electrodes receive electric current. The feedback light emitted by this source of feedback light must be transported to a photosensor located in the encapsulation (50) with as little losses as possible. This too is made possible with the POF's of the present invention.

(59) In this embodiment, it is preferred to use two different POF's, one for coupling the source of light emission (21L) of the encapsulation (50) to the photovoltaic cell of the tissue coupling unit (40), and the other POF for coupling the source of feedback light of the tissue coupling unit to the photosensor of the encapsulation (50). The two (or more) POF's are gathered in an outer tubing (35t) to form an optical lead. As the optical lead can easily be twisted, it is important to couple the first and second ends of each POF at the right position in the connectors (40c, 50c) to avoid optically coupling the photovoltaic cell to the photosensor, which would have no effect at all. Colouring of the POF's as discussed supra helps the artisan to couple the ends of the individual POF's to their corresponding positions in the connectors (40c, 50c).

(60) In a preferred embodiment, the AIMD comprises a cuff electrode unit as illustrated in FIG. 1(c) comprising a photovoltaic cell and comprising, a support sheet (43) which is non-conductive, and having an inner surface and an outer surface separated from the inner surface by a thickness, wherein the support sheet is rolled about a longitudinal axis (Z), forming a cuff of substantially cylindrical geometry such that at least a portion of the inner surface forms an interior of the cuff, and such that at least a portion of the outer surface forms an exterior of the cuff, at least a first connector (40c) including an electrode contact, which is exposed at the inner surface of the cuff and wherein the photovoltaic cell is optically coupled to the second end of the polymer optical fibre and therethrough to the source of light emission (21L) and is electrically coupled to the electrode contact.

(61) For light treatment of a tissue, a so-called optrode can be used. An optrode can be a light emitter focusing a light beam onto a precise area of a tissue, or it can be a light sensor, sensing a reflected, transmitted, or scattered light beam emitted by a light emitter. A light emitter can be in the form of a bevelled edge optical fibre or of an optical fibre coupled to a lens, focusing a light beam on a precise area of a tissue to be treated. Alternatively, the light emitter can be one or more light emitting sources, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL), or another type of laser diode. The light emitting source can be powered by electric current in a similar way to the electrodes discussed supra.

(62) TABLE-US-00001 REF# Feature 30 Polymer optical fibre 31 core 32 cladding 33 coating 35 Optical lead 35t Outer tubing 40 Second component = Tissue coupling unit 40c Connector to the tissue coupling unit 50 First component = encapsulation 50c Connector to the encapsulation