Transducer for embedded bio-sensor using body energy as a power source
First Claim
1. A bio-sensor system powered by an electro-active polymer (EAP) generator and being adapted to provide a substantially stable voltage to a sensor assembly that is implantable in a patient such that physiological parameters thereof may be accurately measured, the bio-sensor system comprising:
- a remote transponder configured to transmit a scanner signal to the sensor and to receive a data signal therefrom;
an implantable on-chip transponder in wireless communication with the remote transponder and being configured to receive the scanner signal and transmit the data signal, the on-chip transponder including;
a sensor being configured to generate a sensor signal representative of the physiological parameter of the patient;
a power supply having the EAP generator embedded in muscle tissue of the patient and being configured to generate a power signal for powering the on-chip transponder;
an analog-to-digital (A/D) assembly connected to the power supply and the sensor, the A/D assembly being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the sensor signal and generate a digital signal in response thereto;
a data processor connected to the A/D assembly and the power supply, the data processor being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the digital signal and generate a data signal in response thereto; and
an RF transmitter connected to the power supply and the data processor and being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the data signal and to modulate, amplify, filter and transmit the data signal;
wherein the power supply is configured to supply a substantially non-deviating sensor reference voltage to the sensor for accurate measurement of the physiological parameter, the remote transponder being configured to receive the data signal from the RF transmitter and to extract data representative of the physiological parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a bio-sensor system which utilizes radio frequency identification technology and which includes a remote transponder in wireless communication with an implantable on-chip transponder. A power supply collects alternating current voltage pulses from an electro-active polymer generator embedded in muscle tissue for generating power for the on-chip transponder. The power supply is specifically adapted to provide a stable and precise sensor reference voltage to a sensor assembly to enhance the accuracy of measurements of a physiological parameter of a patient. The remote transponder receives data representative of the physiological parameter such as glucose concentration levels. The data is processed and transmitted to the remote transponder by the on-chip transponder. The precision and stability of the sensor reference voltage is enhanced by the specific circuit architecture of a glucose sensor to allow for relatively accurate measurement of glucose concentration levels without the use of a microprocessor.
382 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A bio-sensor system powered by an electro-active polymer (EAP) generator and being adapted to provide a substantially stable voltage to a sensor assembly that is implantable in a patient such that physiological parameters thereof may be accurately measured, the bio-sensor system comprising:
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a remote transponder configured to transmit a scanner signal to the sensor and to receive a data signal therefrom;
an implantable on-chip transponder in wireless communication with the remote transponder and being configured to receive the scanner signal and transmit the data signal, the on-chip transponder including;
a sensor being configured to generate a sensor signal representative of the physiological parameter of the patient;
a power supply having the EAP generator embedded in muscle tissue of the patient and being configured to generate a power signal for powering the on-chip transponder;
an analog-to-digital (A/D) assembly connected to the power supply and the sensor, the A/D assembly being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the sensor signal and generate a digital signal in response thereto;
a data processor connected to the A/D assembly and the power supply, the data processor being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the digital signal and generate a data signal in response thereto; and
an RF transmitter connected to the power supply and the data processor and being configured to respectively receive the power signal and the data signal and to modulate, amplify, filter and transmit the data signal;
wherein the power supply is configured to supply a substantially non-deviating sensor reference voltage to the sensor for accurate measurement of the physiological parameter, the remote transponder being configured to receive the data signal from the RF transmitter and to extract data representative of the physiological parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A bio-sensor system powered by an electro-active polymer (EAP) generator and being adapted to provide a substantially stable voltage to a sensor assembly that is implantable in a patient such that physiological parameters thereof may be accurately measured, the bio-sensor system comprising:
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a remote transponder configured to transmit a scanner signal to the sensor and to receive a data signal therefrom;
an implantable on-chip transponder in wireless communication with the remote transponder and being configured to receive the scanner signal and transmit the data signal, the on-chip transponder including;
a sensor being configured to generate a sensor signal representative of the physiological parameter of the patient;
a power supply having the EAP generator embedded in muscle tissue of the patient and being configured to generate a power signal for powering the on-chip transponder;
a radio frequency (RF) receiver configured to receive the power signal and the scanner signal and to filter, amplify and demodulate the scanner signal and generate a message signal for controlling the on-chip transponder;
an analog-to-digital (A/D) assembly connected to the power supply, the RF receiver and the sensor, the A/D assembly being configured to respectively receive the power signal, the sensor signal and the message signal and generate a digital signal in response thereto;
a data processor connected to the A/D assembly, the power supply and the RF receiver, the data processor being configured to respectively receive the power signal, the digital signal and the message signal and generate a data signal in response thereto; and
an RF transmitter connected to the power supply, the data processor and the RF receiver and being configured to respectively receive the power signal, the data signal and the message signal and to modulate, amplify, filter and transmit the data signal;
wherein the power supply is configured to supply a substantially non-deviating sensor reference voltage to the sensor for accurate measurement of the physiological parameter, the remote transponder being configured to receive the data signal from the RF transmitter and to extract data representative of the physiological parameter. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of remotely monitoring physiological parameters using a bio-sensor system comprising a remote transponder and an on-chip transponder having a sensor implantable in a patient, the on-chip transponder being powered by a power supply including an electro-active polymer (EAP) generator embedded in muscle tissue of the patient, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. remotely generating and wirelessly transmitting a scanner signal from the remote transponder, the scanner signal containing a telemetry data request;
b. receiving the scanner signal at the on-chip transponder and filtering, amplifying and demodulating the scanner signal to generate a message signal in response thereto;
c. generating a power signal in response to mechanical flexing of the EAP generator due to movement of the muscle tissue within which the EAP generator is embedded;
d. receiving the power signal at the sensor and sensing at least one physiological parameter of the patient and generating an analog sensor signal in response thereto;
e. receiving the power signal, the analog sensor signal and the message signal at an analog-to-digital (A/D) assembly and generating a digital signal representative of the analog sensor signal;
f. receiving the power signal, the message signal and the digital signal at a data processor and preparing the digital signal for modulation and generating a data signal representative of the digital signal;
g. receiving the power signal, the message signal and the data signal at an RF transmitter and modulating, amplifying, filtering and wirelessly transmitting the data signal; and
h. receiving the data signal at the remote transponder and extracting data representative of the physiological parameter of the patient. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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Specification