Implantable, retrievable, thrombus minimizing sensors
First Claim
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1. A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel, comprising:
- a support, having a first side for contacting the wall of the vessel and a second side for facing radially inwardly toward the center of the vessel; and
a sensor carried by the support and having a sensing surface thereon;
wherein the sensing surface is spaced radially inwardly from the first side and wherein the sensing surface includes a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus.
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Abstract
A sensor is disclosed, for implantation within a blood vessel to monitor a substance in or property of blood. In one embodiment, the sensor is retrievable. In another embodiment, the sensor has a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus. A signal representative of the substance in or property of blood is transmitted to an external receiver. In another embodiment, the sensor detects nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite and can be implanted for a period of hours, days, weeks or years. Methods are also disclosed.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel, comprising:
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a support, having a first side for contacting the wall of the vessel and a second side for facing radially inwardly toward the center of the vessel; and
a sensor carried by the support and having a sensing surface thereon;
wherein the sensing surface is spaced radially inwardly from the first side and wherein the sensing surface includes a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel comprising:
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a support structure;
a sensor housing carried by the support structure; and
a sensing surface exposed to the exterior of the housing;
wherein the sensor is configured to detect nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite, and wherein the sensor can be implanted for a period of at least one week. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of retrieving an implantable sensor on a support comprising:
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positioning a catheter with a first clip so that the first clip is adjacent to the sensor;
inflating a first balloon attached to the catheter so that the first clip is forced around the sensor;
deflating the first balloon;
inflating a second balloon so that the sensor is separated from the support; and
deflating the second balloon. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40)
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41. A method of minimizing thrombus formation on an implantable sensor, comprising:
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providing a sensor having a sensing surface thereon, wherein the sensor is adapted for implantation, providing a coating on the sensing surface to minimize the formation of thrombus compared to the amount of thrombus that would have accumulated in the absence of the coating. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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Specification