Implantable perfusion sensor

• US 20070156085A1
• Filed: 12/30/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Kane, Michael, Bond, Matthew, Schulhauser, Randal
• Application Number:
  US11/323,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20070156085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/66
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/413 Monitoring transplanted tissue or organ, e.g. for possible rejection reactions after a transplant

Abstract

An injectable wireless perfusion sensor provides data to an external device regarding the perfusion of the targeted tissue. The sensor permits a caregiver to monitor cardiovascular performance in specific areas such as the extremities. The sensor will identify whether vascular constriction or obstruction is present and to what extent. Further, once such a condition is treated, the sensor will monitor the effectiveness of that treatment.

Claims

1. A wireless perfusion sensor comprising:

an injectable housing;

a light emitter contained within the housing;

a light collector contained within the housing;

a processor contained within the housing and receiving a signal from the light collector and processing the signal to provide an indication of tissue perfusion.

2. The wireless perfusion sensor of claim 1, further comprising a memory contained within the housing, wherein the provided indication is stored in the memory.

3. The wireless perfusion sensor of claim 1, further comprising a telemetry module configured to transmit data of the provided indication external to the housing.

4. A medical device comprising

an injectable housing means;

and

means for determining the perfusion of tissue surrounding the housing.

5. The medical device of claim 4, further comprising telemetry means for transmitting data external to the housing.

6. The medical device of claim 4, further comprising means for reducing tissue encapsulation about the housing that would hinder the means for determining the perfusion.

7. The medical device of claim 4, further comprising means for providing multiple indications of perfusion.

8. The medical device of claim 7, wherein the multiple indications are provided by light emitters having at least two different frequencies.

9. A method comprising:

implanting a wireless perfusion sensor into tissue;

monitoring the perfusion of the tissue;

providing data regarding the monitored perfusion to an external device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein implanting the wireless perfusion sensor includes injecting the sensor into the tissue.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising diagnosing PVD prior to implanting the sensor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data is indicative of a status of the PVD.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising identifying a vasculature occlusion and providing a treatment to remove the occlusion prior to implanting the sensor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the data is indicative of an effectiveness of the treatment.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the wireless perfusion sensor is implanted distal to the occlusion.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein implanting the wireless perfusion sensor includes implanting a plurality of perfusion sensors in an array.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the array is positioned distal to a vasculature occlusion.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein monitoring the perfusion includes receiving analog data from a light collector, digitally sampling the analog data and providing a digital output indicative of tissue perfusion.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless perfusion sensor is implanted in tissue proximate a transplanted organ.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the data is indicative of a rejection status of the transplanted organ.