Devices and Methods for Measurement of Vessel Elasticity and Blood Pressure

• US 20090093729A1
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Zhang, Yongxing, Zhang, Yunlong, Mi, Bin
• Application Number:
  US11/866,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20090093729A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0266 Optical strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02125 of pulse wave propagation time
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02158 provided with two or more sensor elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0285 Measuring or recording phase velocity of blood waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/029 Measuring or recording blood output from the heart, e.g. minute volume A61B8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1107 Measuring contraction of parts of the body, e.g. organ, muscle apparatus for measuring work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6884 Clamps or clips

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are related to devices and methods for measuring arterial elasticity and/or blood pressure, amongst other things. In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device having a sensor element that is configured to engage a vessel of a patient. The sensor element is further configured to generate a signal in response to bending of the sensor element, where bending occurs as a result of changes in the pressure within the vessel. The implantable medical device further includes a controller in signal communication with the sensor element, where the controller is configured to store information regarding the signal generated by the sensor element. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Claims

1. An implantable medical device comprising:

a sensor element configured to engage an outside surface of a vessel of a patient and to generate a signal in response to bending of the sensor element occurring as a result of changes in the pressure within the vessel; and

a controller in signal communication with the sensor element configured to store information regarding the signal generated by the sensor element.

2. The implantable medical device of claim 1, comprising a helical shape and extending greater than one complete turn around a lengthwise axis of the vessel.

3. The implantable medical device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of sensor elements configured to be positioned at different points radially around the exterior surface of the vessel.

4. The implantable medical device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of sensor elements configured to be positioned at different points along a lengthwise axis of the vessel.

5. The implantable medical device of claim 1, the controller configured to process the signal generated by the sensor element to determine the pressure of a fluid within the vessel.

6. The implantable medical device of claim 1, the sensor element comprising a C-shaped configuration.

7. The implantable medical device of claim 6, further comprising a latch member configured to retain the sensor element around the vessel.

8. The implantable medical device of claim 1, further comprising a sensor housing, the sensor housing configured to cover at least a portion of the sensor element.

9. The implantable medical device of claim 8, the surface of the sensor housing configured to reduce tissue in-growth.

10. The implantable medical device of claim 8, the sensor housing comprising a layer of material configured to release an active agent in vivo to reduce tissue in-growth.

11. The implantable medical device of claim 8, further comprising a layer of polytetrafluoroethylene disposed over the sensor housing.

12. The implantable medical device of claim 8, the sensor housing surrounding the sensor element.

13. The implantable medical device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of retaining clip elements, each retaining clip element configured to be disposed at a different position along the lengthwise axis of the vessel, each retaining clip element comprising a sensor element.

14. The implantable medical device of claim 1, the sensor element configured to generate an electrical signal in response to bending of the sensor element.

15. The implantable medical device of claim 14, the sensor element comprising a piezoelectric material.

16. The implantable medical device of claim 15, the piezoelectric material comprising polyvinylidene fluoride.

17. The implantable medical device of claim 14, the sensor element configured so that its electrical resistance varies as a function of bending.

18. The implantable medical device of claim 1, wherein the controller is in wireless signal communication with an external device.

19. A method of measuring blood pressure comprising:

processing an electrical signal from a sensor to derive blood pressure, the sensor chronically implanted around the exterior of an artery of a patient, the sensor comprising a sensor element configured to generate the electrical signal in response to bending of the sensor element.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising chronically implanting a sensor around the exterior of a peripheral artery of a patient.

21. The method of claim 19, comprising chronically implanting a sensor around the brachial artery of a patient.