Pressure Sensing in Implantable Medical Devices

• US 20110208163A1
• Filed: 04/28/2011
• Published: 08/25/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Miesel, Keith A.
• Application Number:
  US13/096,590
• Publication Number:
  US 20110208163A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/523
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3355 Controlling downstream pump pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16854 by monitoring line pressure

Abstract

An implantable medical device for delivering a therapeutic substance to a delivery site in a patient. A reservoir holds a supply of the fluid therapeutic substance. A catheter has a proximal end, a delivery region and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the delivery region. The proximal end of the catheter is operatively coupled to the reservoir. The delivery region of the catheter is adapted to be placed proximate the delivery site in the patient. The therapeutic substance is adapted to be delivered through the lumen to the patient. A sensing device is operatively coupled with the lumen of the catheter being capable of detecting a pressure of the therapeutic substance in the lumen. A controller is operatively coupled to the sensing device, the controller being capable of taking an action in response to the pressure in the lumen.

Claims

1. A sensor for a medical device for detecting pressure in a lumen of a catheter, comprising:

a base having a first side and a second side;

a first pressure sensing diaphragm operatively coupled to said first side of said base;

a second pressure sensing diaphragm operatively coupled to said second side of said base;

a connector having a first end operatively coupled to a movable portion of said first pressure sensing diaphragm and a second end operatively coupled to a movable portion said second pressure sensing diaphragm, said connector moving with said first pressure sensing diaphragm and said second pressure sensing diaphragm in response to a change in pressure; and

an electrical element responsive to movement of said first pressure sensing diaphragm and said second pressure sensing diaphragm.

2. A sensor as in claim 1 wherein said electrical element comprises:

a first electrical sensor producing a first output in response to movement of said first pressure sensing diaphragm; and

a second electrical sensor producing a second output in response to movement of said second pressure sensing diaphragm;

wherein said first output and said second output are combined to produce a pressure output.

3. A sensor as in claim 2 wherein said first output and said second output are additive resulting in a doubled electrical output.

4. A sensor as in claim 3 wherein said pressure output comprises a ratio of said first output and said second output.

5. A sensor as in claim 3 wherein said pressure output comprises a duty cycle of one of said first output and said second output divided by a sum of both of said first output and said second output.