Medical device that signals lumen loss

• US 20060122683A1
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Scimed Life Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Stinson, Jonathan S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,141 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices that provide signals to diagnostic equipment such that functionality of an implantable member can be determined. In particular, various designs and structures are utilized to signal tissue growth on an implantable member such as a stent. The tissue growth can limit flow through the stented lumen. If the growth has a thickness above a certain limit, a signal can be detected by diagnostic equipment such that a proper diagnosis can be made.

Claims

1. An implantable member, comprising:

a structural element; and

a signaling member coupled to the structural element to signal growth on the structural element.

2. The implantable member of claim 1 wherein the signaling member includes a conductive pathway having a switch.

3. The implantable member of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a cover to prevent disruption of operation of switch.

4. The implantable member of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a switch arm that is positioned to contact the conductive pathway in response to tissue growth on the structural element.

5. The implantable member of claim 2 wherein the switch includes a conductive bridge adapted to close the conductive pathway in response to a level of tissue growth on the structural element.

6. The implantable member of claim 2 wherein the switch includes conductive filler material adapted to close the conductive pathway in response to a level of tissue growth on the structural element.

10. The implantable member of claim 1 wherein the signaling member includes at least one of platinum, iridium, tantalum, titanium, niobium, hafnium and gold.

11. The implantable member of claim 1 wherein the signaling member includes a pressure sensitive coating having a piezoelectric material.

12. The implantable member of claim 1 wherein the signaling member includes an elutable material.

13. The implantable member of claim 12 wherein the elutable material is a radiopaque coating.

14. The implantable member of claim 12 wherein the elutable material is a chemical that is detectable in a blood test.

15. The implantable member of claim 12 wherein the elutable material forms part of the structural element.

7. The implantable member of claim wherein the structural element comprises a generally tubular structure.

8. The implantable member of claim 7 wherein the generally tubular structure includes electrically conductive structural members spaced apart by nonconductive spacers and wherein the signaling member includes a switch that is adapted to electrically couple the electrically conductive structural members in response to a level of tissue growth on the tubular structure.

9. The implantable member of claim 7, wherein the signaling member comprises a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from an inside surface of the tubular structure.

16. A stent, comprising:

a generally tubular structure; and

means for signaling growth on the tubular structure.

17. The stent of claim 16 wherein the means for signaling includes a conductive pathway having a switch.

18. The stent of claim 17 wherein the switch includes a cover to prevent disruption of operation of switch.

19. The stent of claim 17 wherein the switch includes a switch arm that is positioned to contact the conductive pathway in response to tissue growth on the tubular structure.

20. The stent of claim 17 wherein the switch includes a conductive bridge adapted to close the close conductive pathway in response to a level of tissue growth on the tubular structure.

21. The stent of claim 17 wherein the switch includes conductive filler material adapted to close the conductive pathway in response to a level of tissue growth on the tubular structure.

22. The stent of claim 16 wherein the generally tubular structure includes electrically conductive structural members spaced apart by nonconductive spacers and wherein the means for signaling include a switch that is adapted to electrically couple the electrically conductive structural members in response to a level of tissue growth on the tubular structure.

23. The stent of claim 16 wherein the means for signaling includes at least one of platinum, iridium, tantalum, titanium, niobium, hafnium and gold.

24. The stent of claim 16, wherein the means for signaling comprises a plurality of electrically conductive members extending from an inside surface of the tubular structure.

25. The stent of claim 16 wherein the means for signaling includes a pressure sensitive coating having a piezoelectric material.

26. The stent of claim 16 wherein the means for signaling includes an elutable material.

27. The stent of claim 26 wherein the elutable material is a radiopaque coating.

28. The stent of claim 26 wherein the elutable material is a chemical that is detectable in a blood test.

29. The stent of claim 26 wherein the elutable material forms part of the generally tubular structure.