Implantable Pressure Sensor with Membrane Bridge
First Claim
1. An implantable pressure sensor, comprising:
- a capsule housing a pressure sensing device, wherein the capsule includes an opening that allows the pressure sensing device to obtain pressure measurements from an environment surrounding the capsule; and
a rigid bridge member is attached to the capsule so as to extend across the opening of the capsule.
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Abstract
An implantable pressure sensor having improved bend error performance is provided having a capsule housing a pressure sensing device, wherein the capsule includes an opening that allows the pressure sensing device to obtain pressure measurements from an environment surrounding the capsule. A rigid bridge is attached to the capsule so as to extend across the opening of the capsule. The bridge includes at least one opening that exposes the pressure sensing device to the surrounding environment. The rigidity of the bridge functions to prevent deformations from bending forces that are exerted on the sensor and also functions to divert loads from such bending forces away from the pressure sensing device to instead travel through the bridge, which in turn resists deformation. A fill material may be situated between the bridge and capsule so as to prevent bodily fluid or tissue from building up in the sensor under the bridge.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An implantable pressure sensor, comprising:
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a capsule housing a pressure sensing device, wherein the capsule includes an opening that allows the pressure sensing device to obtain pressure measurements from an environment surrounding the capsule; and a rigid bridge member is attached to the capsule so as to extend across the opening of the capsule. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A membrane bridge for reducing bend error in an implantable pressure sensor, comprising:
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a rigid bridge member attachable to a capsule housing a pressure sensing device including a membrane that is responsive to pressure measurements from an environment surrounding the capsule, wherein the capsule includes an opening adjacent to the membrane that allows the pressure sensing device to obtain pressure measurements from the environment surrounding the capsule, wherein the rigid bridge member is formed to extend across the opening of the capsule over the membrane. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for forming an implantable pressure sensor having reduced bend errors in measured pressures, the method comprising:
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providing an implantable pressure sensor having a capsule housing a pressure sensing device that is responsive to pressure measurements from an environment surrounding the capsule, wherein the capsule includes an opening adjacent to the pressure sensing device for exposing the pressure sensing device to pressures from the environment surrounding the capsule, attaching a rigid bridge member to the capsule to extend across the opening of the capsule so as to distribute bending forces exerted on the implantable pressure sensor through the bridge member and away from the pressure sensing device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification