INSTRUMENTED IMPLANTABLE STENTS, VASCULAR GRAFTS AND OTHER MEDICAL DEVICES
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Accused Products
Abstract
Several different smart stent structures are described for placement in vessel of a mammal. The stents can be advantageously used to perform measurements of the conditions in the vessel and transmit the measurements wireless out from the patient. In some embodiments, the stent performs therapy within the vessel and may be controlled with a microprocessor, which may or may not communicate wirelessly. Some implantable devices comprise a drug delivery system based, for example, on either a microelectromechanical structure or a cover that opens upon application of an electrical current. Smart devices can be used, for example, the detect deposits in a vessel, aneurysms in the vessel or other modifications of flow in the vessel.
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Citations
38 Claims
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1-13. -13. (canceled)
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14. A biocompatible vessel suitable for implantation comprising:
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a generally tubular structure having a central lumen; a wireless communication system operably connected with the generally tubular structure; a microprocessor operably connected with the wireless communication system; a sensor operably connected to the microprocessor; a reservoir of a bioactive agent attached to the generally tubular structure; and a micro electromechanical device configured to control the release of the bioactive agent from the reservoir in response to a treatment protocol received from the microprocessor.
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15-17. -17. (canceled)
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18. The biocompatible vessel of claim 14 wherein the generally tubular structure comprises tissue.
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19-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. The biocompatible vessel of claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is configured to reprogram the release of the bioactive agent from the reservoir with a new treatment protocol received through the wireless communication system.
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22. A prosthetic vessel, comprising:
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a support structure, including a biocompatible material and having a structure suitable for replacement of a portion of a mammalian vessel; a sensor, supported by the support structure, configured to perform a measurement of a physiological parameter; an implantable wireless communication system, in communication with the sensor, configured to transmit information about the measurement of the physiological parameter; a treatment transducer, supported by the support structure, configured to deliver a treatment response; and an implantable microprocessor having an associated memory, in communication with the sensor, the implantable wireless communication systems, and the treatment transducer, the implantable microprocessor configured to control the treatment response based upon information about the measurement of the physiological parameter and a treatment protocol stored in the memory.
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23. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, wherein the implantable microprocessor is configured to reprogram the treatment protocol with a new treatment protocol received through the implantable wireless communication system.
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24. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, further comprising:
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an implantable battery coupled with and configured to power the implantable microprocessor; wherein the implantable wireless communication system comprises an antenna assembled on a chip.
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25. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, further comprising:
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a second sensor, supported by the structure, configured to perform a second measurement of a second physiological parameter, wherein the implantable microprocessor controls the treatment response based upon information about the measurements of one or more physiological parameters obtained by the sensor and the second sensor.
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26. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, wherein the support structure comprises a structure including fasteners configured to attach to a mammalian vessel.
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27. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, wherein the support structure comprises a metal.
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28. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, wherein the support structure comprises a polymer.
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29. The prosthetic vessel of claim 24, wherein the implantable wireless communication system, the implantable microprocessor, and the implantable battery are coupled with the support structure.
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30. The prosthetic vessel of claim 22, further comprising a drug delivery device with a delivery rate controlled by the implantable microprocessor.
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31. A method, comprising:
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sensing a measurement of a physiological parameter using a sensor associated with a prosthetic vessel; wirelessly transmitting, from the prosthetic vessel, information about the measurement of the physiological parameter; and delivering a treatment response based upon information about the measurement of the physiological parameter and a stored treatment protocol.
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32. The method of claim 31, further comprising reprogramming the stored treatment protocol with a new treatment protocol.
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33. The method of claim 31, further comprising sensing a second measurement of a physiological parameter using a second sensor associated with the prosthetic vessel.
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34. The method of claim 33, wherein delivering the treatment response includes delivering a treatment response based upon information about the measurements of one or more physiological parameters obtained by the sensor and the second sensor.
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35. The method of claim 31, further comprising attaching portions of the prosthetic vessel to a mammalian vessel using one or more fasteners.
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36. The method of claim 31, further comprising supporting the prosthetic vessel using a support structure comprising a biocompatible material.
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37. The method of claim 31, wherein wirelessly transmitting information includes using an antenna assembled on a chip.
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38. The method of claim 31, wherein delivering the treatment response includes delivering a drug at a controlled rate.
Specification