IMPLANTABLE DEVICE, SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME, AND METHOD UTILIZING SAME

• US 20090171413A1
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Original Assignee: University of Pittsburgh of The Commonwealth System of Higher Education
• Inventors: Cho, Sung Kwon, Clark, William W., Hu, Hsin-Hua, Sun, Mingui, Zenati, Marco, Sclabassi, Robert J.
• Application Number:
  US12/203,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20090171413A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 607/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0247 Pressure sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• 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: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14503 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36114 Cardiac control, e.g. by vagal stimulation stimulating the heart A61N1/362
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36514 controlled by a physiological quantity other than heart potential, e.g. blood pressure controlled by two or more physical parameters A61N1/36585
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36557 controlled by chemical substances in blood
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36564 controlled by blood pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36578 controlled by mechanical motion of the heart wall, e.g. measured by an accelerometer or microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36585 controlled by two or more physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37229 Shape or location of the implanted or external antenna
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37258 Alerting the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/37282 characterised by communication with experts in remote locations using a network
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3785 generated by biological activity or substance, e.g. body movement
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

An implantable device. The implantable device includes a computing device, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pH sensor connected to the computing device, and a communication system connected to the computing device.

Claims

1. An implantable device, wherein the implantable device comprises:

a computing device;

a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pH sensor connected to the computing device; and

a communication system connected to the computing device.

2. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the computing device is configured for applying a voltage across a stimulator connected to the implantable device.

3. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the MEMS pH sensor comprises:

a first electrode;

a second electrode formed on the first electrode;

a first dielectric layer formed on the first electrode;

a third electrode formed on the first dielectric layer;

a second dielectric layer formed on the third electrode;

an electrolyte layer formed on the third electrode; and

a liquid junction connected to the second dielectric layer.

4. The implantable device of claim 3, wherein the MEMS pH sensor further comprises a passivation layer formed on the second dielectric layer.

5. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the MEMS pH sensor comprises a microfluidic switch.

6. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the MEMS pH sensor comprises:

a substrate;

a first electrode formed on the substrate;

a second electrode formed on the substrate;

a plurality of third electrodes formed on the substrate;

a cover connected to the substrate, wherein the cover defines a closed-loop fluidic channel between the substrate and a surface of the cover; and

a liquid junction connected to the cover.

7. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the communication system comprises at least one of the following:

a transmitter;

a receiver; and

a transceiver.

8. The implantable device of claim 1, wherein the communication system comprises an antenna, wherein the antenna comprises:

a first pole, wherein the first pole comprises;

a first conductive layer; and

a first insulating layer connected to the first conductive layer; and

a second pole, wherein the second pole comprises;

a second conductive layer; and

a second insulating layer connected to the second conductive layer.

9. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor connected to the computing device.

10. The implantable device of claim 9, wherein the MEMS pressure sensor comprises a piezoresistive sensing member.

11. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising an analysis module configured for determining the existence of organ ischemia, wherein the determination is based on one or more pH values measured by the MEMS pH sensor.

12. The implantable device of claim 11, wherein the determination is further based on one or more left ventricular wall tension values measured by a MEMS pressure sensor.

13. The implantable device of claim 1, further comprising a power source connected to the computing device.

14. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the power source is a battery.

15. A system, comprising:

an implantable device, wherein the implantable device comprises;

a computing device;

a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pH sensor connected to the computing device; and

a communication system connected to the computing device; and

a communication device connected to the implantable device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the implantable device further comprises a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) pressure sensor connected to the computing device.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication device is wirelessly connected to the implantable device.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the communication device is configured for communication with at least one device other than the implantable device.

19. The system of claim 15, further comprising a power source operatively connected to the implantable device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the power source is a piezoelectric energy harvesting device.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the power source is a biofuel cell.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the power source is a volume conduction energy delivery device.

23. The system of claim 15, further comprising a stimulator connected to the implantable device.

24. A method, implemented at least in part with a computing device, the method comprising:

measuring pH values of an organ with an implanted device; and

determining whether organ ischemia exists based on at least one of the measured pH values.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein determining whether organ ischemia exists comprises determining whether the at least one of the measured pH values is less than a threshold value.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising sending an alert signal when it is determined that organ ischemia exists.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising measuring left ventricular wall tension values with the implanted device.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein determining whether organ ischemia exists further comprises determining based on at least one of the measured left ventricular wall tension values.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein determining whether organ ischemia exists further comprises determining whether the at least one of the measured left ventricular wall tension values is less than a threshold value.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising stimulating at least one cardiac vagal nerve branch when it is determined that organ ischemia exists.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein stimulating the at least one cardiac vagal nerve branch comprises the implantable device applying a voltage across a stimulator connected to the implantable device and the at least one cardiac vagal nerve stimulator.