Apparatus and methods using acoustic telemetry for intrabody communications
First Claim
1. A method for monitoring pressure within a cardiovascular system of a body, the method comprising:
- transmitting one or more acoustic signals from a control implant implanted within the body to activate a dormant implant located at a location within the cardiovascular system;
measuring pressure at the location with the dormant implant;
transmitting one or more acoustic signals from the dormant implant to the control implant, the one or more acoustic signals comprising pressure data measured by the dormant implant; and
storing the pressure data in memory of the control implant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods provide intrabody communication using acoustic telemetry. The system includes a first or control implant including a first acoustic transducer, and a second implant including a switch and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch. The second acoustic transducer receives acoustic signals from the first acoustic transducer for closing the switch to activate the second implant. The second implant may include a sensor for measuring a physiological parameter that is transmitted using acoustic signals including the physiological data to the first implant. For example, the second implant may measure pressure in the patient'"'"'s heart that may be used by the first implant to control a pacemaker. Alternatively, the second implant may blood sugar concentration that may be used by the first implant to control an insulin pump. Alternatively, the first implant may store and transfer the data to an external device for monitoring the patient.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for monitoring pressure within a cardiovascular system of a body, the method comprising:
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transmitting one or more acoustic signals from a control implant implanted within the body to activate a dormant implant located at a location within the cardiovascular system;
measuring pressure at the location with the dormant implant;
transmitting one or more acoustic signals from the dormant implant to the control implant, the one or more acoustic signals comprising pressure data measured by the dormant implant; and
storing the pressure data in memory of the control implant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for pacing a heart within a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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transmitting one or more acoustic signals from a control implant implanted within the body to activate a dormant implant located at a location within the heart;
measuring pressure at the location with the dormant implant;
transmitting one or more acoustic signals from the dormant implant to the control implant, the one or more acoustic signals comprising pressure data measured by the dormant implant; and
electrically stimulating the heart based at least in part upon the pressure data measured by the dormant implant. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method for delivering insulin to a patient'"'"'s body, the method comprising:
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transmitting one or more acoustic signals from a control implant implanted within the body to activate a dormant implant located at a location within the body;
measuring blood sugar concentration at the location with the dormant implant;
transmitting one or more acoustic signals from the dormant implant to the control implant, the one or more acoustic signals comprising blood sugar concentration data measured by the dormant implant; and
delivering insulin into the body based at least in part upon the blood sugar concentration measured by the dormant implant. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A system for communication within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a) a first implant comprising a first acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals; and
b) a second implant, comprising;
i) an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated;
ii) a switch coupled to the electrical circuit; and
iii) a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer configured for receiving one or more acoustic signals from the first acoustic transducer for closing the switch to activate the second implant. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for communicating between first and second implants implanted at different locations within a patient'"'"'s body, the second implant comprising an acoustic switch coupled to an electrical circuit, the method comprising:
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transmitting an acoustic activation signal from the first implant towards the second implant; and
closing the acoustic switch in response to the acoustic activation signal, whereupon the second implant becomes activated. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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Specification