System and method for stimulation of biologic signals in a bio-electro-physiologic matrix

Abstract

An implantable device for monitoring physiological changes in an organism is disclosed. The device includes a matrix positioned proximate a biological material of the organism, an irradiation device associated with the matrix for exposing the biological material to radiation, and a sensor device associated with the matrix for detecting a response of the biological material to the irradiation. The response can be used to remotely detect a characteristic of the biological material.

1 . An implantable device for monitoring physiological changes in an organism, the device comprising:
 a matrix adapted for being positioned in a biological material of the organism, wherein the biological material comprises one of a cell, a cell layer, nutrients, cellular reaction products, a physiologically acceptable dye, a physiologically acceptable marker, or a detection protein prepared exogenously relative to the biological material;   an irradiation device associated with the matrix for exposing the biological material to radiation; and   a sensor device associated with the matrix for detecting a response of the biological material to the irradiation, the response being reflective of a characteristic of the biological material.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix comprises a three-dimensional matrix. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the matrix is made from a material comprising collagen, cells associated with the biological material, or substances associated with the biological material. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cell layer includes cells obtained from a biological organism. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more cells individually or clustered into one or more groups of cells that are in physiologic contact with the biologic material as well as with the irradiation device and sensor device. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sensor device comprises at least one photodetector attached to or positioned proximate the matrix. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the irradiation device comprises at least one excitation emitter attached to or positioned proximate to the matrix for producing light having a known range of wavelengths. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising an optical lens for focusing the light and a filter for filtering the light. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a device for allowing heat and mass transfer to exchange from the biological material inside the matrix. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic component contacting the matrix, wherein the electronic component comprises a wireless communication device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication device uses at least one of electronic, optical, radio-frequency, and ultrasonic signals adapted to being conveyed through biologic material if necessary. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic device comprises a communication device that can network the device and with other devices. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a pH value, a level of metabolic activity, an intracellular pressure, a concentration of an intracellular substance, and a physical dimension of the biological material. 
     
     
         15 . A method for monitoring physiological changes in an organism using an implantable device, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a matrix adapted for being positioned in a biological material of the organism, wherein the biological material comprises one of a cell, a cell layer, nutrients, cellular reaction products, a physiologically acceptable dye, a physiologically acceptable marker, or a detection protein prepared exogenously relative to the biological material;   providing an irradiation device associated with the matrix for exposing the biological material to radiation;   providing a sensor device associated with the matrix for detecting a response of the biological material to the irradiation;   irradiating the biological material; and   detecting a response, wherein the response is reflective of a characteristic of the biological material.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 harvesting the biologic material from the organism when the biologic material is part of the organism; and   growing the cells of the biological material in the matrix.   
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the sensor device comprises at least one photodetector attached to or positioned proximate to the matrix. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the irradiation means comprises at least one excitation emitter attached to or positioned proximate to the matrix for producing light having a known range of wavelengths. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing nutrients to the biological material inside the matrix. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of outputting a signal representing a characteristic of the biological material, wherein the characteristic is at least one of a pH value, a level of metabolic activity, an intracellular pressure, a concentration of an intracellular substance, and a physical dimension of the biological material. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of communicating information about the response using a signal transmitting and receiving device, the device adapted to using electronic, optical, radio-frequency, and ultrasonic signals.