Implantable Tissue Ischemia Sensor

• US 20100312081A1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: JB IP Acquisitions LLC
• Original Assignee: Spectros Corporation (AliphCom Corp.)
• Inventors: Fierro, Michael R., Benaron, David A., Parachikov, Ilian H.
• Application Number:
  US12/858,396
• Publication Number:
  US 20100312081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/323
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0261 using optical means, e.g. infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14542 for measuring blood gases A61B5/14551 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/412 Detecting or monitoring sepsis

Abstract

An implantable ischemia detection system in which a white LED (105) produces a continuous, visible, broadband light illuminating a target site (125). Light backscattered by the target is collected by a sensor (155), allowing for an index of ischemia to be determined, and subsequently transmitted by a sending unit (167). Power is provided by an internal power source (179). The entire implantable device is encapsulated by a biocompatible shell (102) to add long-term safety with regard to implantation.

Claims

1. An implantable device for invasive implantation internally comprising:

a light source for illuminating a target with light;

a sensor configured so as to detect light backscattered from local capillary and extravascular tissue within the target site onto said sensor and to provide a tissue oxygenation output signal that is a direct function of the presence or degree of internal tissue ischemia based at least on said light backscattered from said site;

a power source configured to supply energy to said sensor and said light source; and

an exterior shell enclosing said power source, light source, and sensor configured so as to be biocompatible with respect to implantation internally.

2. A method of monitoring or detecting local tissue ischemia internally in a living tissue comprising the steps of:

(a) invasively implanting internally a device having a light emitter and a light detector;

(b) illuminating an internal target site with light from the light emitter;

(c) detecting light returning from tissue using the light detector, said returning light substantially reflecting capillary and extravascular tissue sites; and

(d) determining a measure that is a function of local tissue ischemia internally based upon the detected light, said detected light substantially reflecting said capillary and extravascular tissue internally at the local target site.

4. The method of claim 2, further including the step of transmitting data before or after said determined measure is determined.

3. A device for implantation internally comprising:

(a) a white LED for illuminating a target site with light;

(b) a wavelength-resolved linear CCD configured so as to detect light substantially reflecting light backscattered from local capillary and extravascular tissue within the target site onto said CCD;

(c) a sensor configured so as to determine, based at least upon said reflected light detected by said sensor, an output signal that is a function of the presence or degree of local tissue ischemia internally;

(d) a transmitter for receiving and transmitting said output signal;

(e) a an inductive coil for receiving power configured to supply energy to said LED, said CCD, and said transmitter; and

(f) an exterior shell configured so as to be biocompatible with respect to implantation internally, said shell housing one or more said LED, CCD, sensor, transmitter and inductive coil.