Individually Activated Sensors for Implantable Sensors

• US 20080228044A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kurt, Ralph, Johnson, Mark T.
• Application Number:
  US12/089,772
• Publication Number:
  US 20080228044A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors

Abstract

An apparatus for managing and monitoring a sensing device encapsulated in a compartment formed within a medium is disclosed. The medium compartment includes a release mechanism (210) suitable for exposing the sensing device (310). The apparatus comprises an active component (510) connected to the encapsulated sensing device, the active component providing a measurement from the sensing device to a sensing measurement device. In one aspect of the invention a second active device (420) connected to an electrode associated with the release mechanism, the second active component (420) selectively providing an electrical signal to the electrode for activating the release mechanism (210) and exposing the encapsulated sensing device (310). In another aspect of the invention, a plurality of the apparatus disclosed may be incorporated into an array that is electrically connected to a select circuit for providing a voltage to selected ones of the first and second active devices for switching the active devices to a conductive state. A release circuit selectively provides a voltage to selected ones of the second active device (420), wherein the voltage is suitable for operating an associated compartment release mechanism and exposing the associated sensing device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for managing and monitoring a sensing device (310) encapsulated in a compartment (120) formed within a medium (100), said medium compartment (120) including a release mechanism (210) suitable for exposing the sensing device (310), the apparatus comprising:

an active component (510) connected to the encapsulated sensing device (310), said active component (510) providing a measurement from the sensing device (310) to a sensing measurement device (520).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing device further comprises:

an amplifying circuit (610).

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing measurement device further comprises:

a voltage measurement circuit (620).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing measurement device further comprises:

a current measurement circuit (620).

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensing measurement device comprises:

a plurality of sensing devices.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the sensing measurement device further comprises:

an active matrix array of sensing devices.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a one time release mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a closure cap.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each sensor (310) is associated with at least one release mechanism.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is operated using a passive matrix drive means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising

a second active component (420) connected to an electrode associated with the release mechanism, said second active component (420) selectively providing an electrical signal to the electrode (110) for activating the release mechanism (200) and exposing the encapsulated sensing device (310).

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the active component is selected from the group consisting of:

transistor, diode and MIM device.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the active component is selected from the group consisting of:

transistor, diode and MIM device.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism is operated using an active matrix driving method.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second active component (420) associated with the release mechanism and the active component (510) associated with the sensing device are associated with the same active matrix entity.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein application of the voltage to the first and second active component is substantially concurrent.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the active components (510, 420) are fabricated from material selected from the group consisting of:

amorphous-Si, poly-Si, microcrystalline or nano-crystalline Si, other anorganic semiconductors (CdSe, SnO), organic semiconductors, hydrogenated amorphous Silicon nitride, and oxides of tantalum.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism (210) comprises:

a polymer film; and

a thin metal film.

19. A bio-implantable device (500) comprising:

a plurality of electrically exposable compartments (120), each of the compartments containing a release mechanism (200) encapsulating a sensor (310) therein;

an active component (510) connected to the encapsulated sensing device (310), said active component (510) providing a measurement from the sensing device (310) to a sensing measurement device (520).

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the plurality of compartments are arranged in an array.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the sensing measurement device further comprises:

an array of sensing devices associated with an active matrix array.

22. The device of claim 19, further comprising:

a second active component (420) electrically connected to an associated one of the plurality of compartments (120) for providing a voltage to operate the release mechanism (210) and expose the encapsulated sensor (310) of a selected compartment (110).

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the release mechanism is operated using an active matrix driving method.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second active component (420) associated with the release mechanism and the active component (510) associated with the sensing device are associated with the same active matrix entity.

25. The device of claim 19, wherein the sensing device, further comprises:

an amplifying circuit (610).

26. The device of claim 19, wherein the sensing device further comprises:

a voltage measurement circuit (620).

27. The device of claim 19, wherein the release mechanism (200) comprises:

a polymer film; and

a thin metal film.

28. The device of claim 19, wherein the sensing device further comprises:

a current measurement circuit (620).