System and apparatus for sensing pressure in living organisms and inanimate objects

• US 20070234815A1
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Original Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation For Scientific Research
• Inventors: Schulman, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,418,872 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/726
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0257 using atmospheric pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• 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: A61N 1/37205 Microstimulators, e.g. implantable through a cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3787 from an external energy source
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/0645 using isolation membranes, specially adapted for protection
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 19/086 for remote indication

Abstract

System and apparatus for measuring pressure comprising a microelectronic device, an interface member attached to the microelectronic device, a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm, wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and is attached to the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor diaphragm and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the first cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring pressure, comprising:

a microelectronic device;

an interface member attached to the microelectronic device;

a pressure sensor having a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm;

wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and is attached to the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor diaphragm and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the first cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microelectronic device is less than 100 mm in longitudinal dimension and less than 10 mm in lateral dimension.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initial predetermined pressure is about 1 atmosphere.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the interface member has at least one feed-through passageway and the pressure sensor provides electrical signals to the microelectronic device through the at least one feed-through passageway.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the interface member forms a hermetically sealed cavity with the pressure sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microelectronic device is a microstimulator.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microelectronic device is a microsensor.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is releasably attached to the interface member.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is integrated with the interface member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microelectronic device is adapted to be implanted in a living organism.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the microelectronic device is adapted for percutaneous attachment to a living organism.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor includes electrically conductive material.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of:

iridium, platinum and a combination thereof.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive material is platinum.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive material is iridium.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electrically conductive material is deposited on the surface of the pressure sensor.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the pressure sensor is substantially made of titanium alloy.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is AC coupled to the microelectronic device to detect rapid pressure changes.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is a piezoelectric sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is a strain gauge sensor.

21. An apparatus for measuring pressure, comprising:

a microelectronic device;

a pressure sensor comprising a diaphragm responsive to external pressure exerted upon the diaphragm, wherein the pressure sensor is attached to the microelectronic device, wherein a contiguous chamber is formed within the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor and wherein the pressure in the chamber is set at an initial predetermined pressure, and

an elongated member attached and in contact with the diaphragm of the pressure sensor, wherein the elongated member comprises a body portion having a substantially non-expandable wall and a squeezable distal portion and wherein the elongated member contains incompressible fluid therein.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the microelectronic device is less than 100 mm in longitudinal dimension and less than 10 mm in lateral dimension.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the initial predetermined pressure is about 1 atmosphere.

24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising:

an interface member positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the microelectronic device is a microstimulator.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the microelectronic device is a microsensor.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the pressure sensor is releasably attached to the microelectronic device.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pressure sensor is integrated with the microelectronic device.

29. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the microelectronic device is adapted to be implanted in a living organism.

30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the microelectronic device is adapted for percutaneous attachment to a living organism.

31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the microelectronic device is adapted for subcutaneous implantation in a living organism.

32. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the pressure sensor is hermetically sealed.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the pressure sensor is AC coupled to the microelectronic device.

34. A system for measuring pressure sensed by an implantable device, comprising:

an implantable device, comprising;

a microelectronic device;

an interface member;

a pressure sensor having a flexible portion responsive to pressure exerted upon the flexible portion;

wherein the interface member is positioned between the microelectronic device and the pressure sensor providing a first cavity between the pressure sensor flexible portion and the interface member and wherein the pressure in the cavity is set at an initial predetermined pressure; and

an external unit for communicating with the implantable device.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the external unit and the implantable device communicate through a wireless medium.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the external unit and the implantable device are adapted to provide data communication therebetween.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the external unit is further adapted to provide power to the implantable device.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the initial predetermined pressure is about 1 atmosphere.

39. The system of claim 36, wherein the external unit comprises a secondary pressure sensor means for measuring the pressure surrounding said external unit and providing thereby a reference pressure to the external unit or the implantable device for measuring the pressure sensed by the implantable device.