DETECTION OF THE SPATIAL LOCATION OF AN IMPLANTABLE BIOSENSING PLATFORM AND METHOD THEREOF

• US 20150238118A1
• Filed: 03/20/2014
• Published: 08/27/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2014
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Biorasis Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Biorasis Incorporated
• Inventors: Croce, Robert A. Jr., Vaddiraju, Santhisagar, Jain, Faquir C., Papadimitrakopoulos, Fotios, Legassey, Allen
• Application Number:
  US14/220,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0017 transmitting optical signals transmission by light H04B10/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/062 using magnetic field
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• 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 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement

Abstract

A methodology used to pinpoint the location of an implantable biomedical sensing device is provided and is carried out by integrating miniaturized magnets, or materials with magnetic properties into the implantable bio-sensing chip to detect the position of the implant by sensing the induced magnetic field via an external communication unit. Presented here are various configurations in which magnetic positional detection can be carried out. The positional information collected from these detection motifs can be used to provide feedback to the user about alignment status as well as activate a self-alignment methodology. With respect to the former, based on the positional information received the user manually adjusts the location of the external communicator into place to align with the implantable platform. In the latter scenario, various configurations allow the wireless powering and communication components on the proximity communicator to automatically find and align with the implantable biomedical sensing chip.

Claims

1. A method of detecting and locating the position of an implanted biosensor platform which is in communication with an external control unit, providing levels of designated analytes in subcutaneous tissue, the method comprising:

optically powering the biosensor platform via solar cells, wherein the biosensor platform is in communication wirelessly with the external control unit via optical communication using photodetector serving as receiver which receives coded instructions and transmitting analyte levels and other conditions such as power level received by solar cells using a dedicated optical transmitter,

the external unit comprises of a camera which enables an operator to position it over the implanted biosensor platform, wherein the external control unit provides at least one of a visual and audible indicator to the operator when at least one of the external control unit is located over at least a portion of the implanted biosensor platform and in response to transmission from the implanted biosensor platform;

the camera images the biosensor platform using light source in the external unit that powers the solar cells or photovoltaic devices located on one of the sub-chips in the implanted biosensor platform,

the biosensor platform comprises of sensor electrodes dedicated for measuring designated analytes such as glucose, lactate, oxygen and pH, and wherein the biosensor platform is coated with biocompatible coatings and is sealed against body fluids on all sides with the exception of the sensor electrodes,

the biosensor platform comprises of one or more Si integrated circuit sub-chips performing signal processing functions needed in the measurement of analyte levels,

surface of one or more of the sub-chips comprising of patterned magnetic regions serving as source of magnetic field,

the magnetic regions is comprised of high strength magnetic material selected from a list samarium, iron, ferrite, samaraium boron garnet,

wherein the magnetic field is detected and measured by two or more magnetic sensors located in the external control unit,

the magnetic sensors in cooperation with the microprocessor unit in the external control unit produces a 3-dimensional map of the location of the implanted biosensor platform relative to the location of the external control unit,

the external control unit comprising of an x-y stage which can be moved with respect to its frame relative to the location of the implanted biosensor platform so that a desired optimal magnetic field distribution is obtained.

2. A method of detecting, locating the position, and aligning an implanted biosensor platform relative to an external control unit, providing with reproducible measurement of levels of designated analytes in the subcutaneous tissue in which the said biosensor is implanted, the method comprising:

said external control unit comprising of one or more electromagnet coils which upon energizing by passing current of desired magnitude enables the alignment of the implanted biosensor platform,

wherein said biosensor platform is optically powered by solar cells and is in communication wirelessly with the said external control unit via optical communication using photodetector serving as receiver which receives coded instructions and transmitting analyte levels and other conditions such as power level received by solar cells using a dedicated optical transmitter,

said solar cells receives light power from at least one source located in the said external control unit,

said external unit comprises of a camera which enables the operator to position it over the implanted biosensor platform,

said biosensor platform comprises of sensor electrodes dedicated for measuring designated analytes such as glucose, lactate, oxygen and pH, and wherein said biosensor platform is coated with biocompatible coatings and is sealed against body fluids on all sides with the exception of said sensor electrodes,

said biosensor platform comprises of one or more Si integrated circuit sub-chips performing signal processing functions needed in the measurement of analyte levels,

surface of one or more said sub-chips comprising of patterned magnetic regions serving as source of magnetic field,

said magnetic regions is comprised of high strength magnetic material selected from a list samarium, iron, ferrite, samaraium boron garnet,

wherein said magnetic field is detected and measured by two or more magnetic sensors located in the said external control unit,

said magnetic sensors in cooperation with the microprocessor unit in the said external control unit produces a 3-dimensional map of the location of said implanted biosensor platform relative to the location of the external control unit,

said surface of said sub-chips in implanted biosensor platform comprising of more than one magnetic field sensors located such that said magnetic sensor minimally receives the magnetic field of the said magnetic regions,

said magnetic field sensors located on sub-chips measure the magnetic field of the electromagnetic coils housed in the external control unit, and transmit magnetic field magnitude and their distribution information using the optical transmitter of the implanted unit,

said magnetic field distribution of the electromagnetic coils is received by the photodetector of the external control unit,

said magnetic field data of the electromagnetic coils is processed by the microprocessor unit in the said external control unit, and produces a 3-dimensional map of the location of said implanted biosensor platform magnetic sensors relative to the location of the electromagnetic coils,

said external control unit comprising of an x-y stage with provision for tilting along two axes,

said x-y stage can be moved with respect to external control unit frame relative to the location of the implanted biosensor platform so that a desired optimal alignment is obtained after processing the said two sets of magnetic field distribution maps,

said implanted biosensor platform is locked with the help of magnetic field created by electromagnetic coils for repeated analyte measurements.

3. A method of detecting, locating the position, and aligning and locking in position an implanted biosensor platform relative to an external control unit, providing reproducible measurements of levels of designated analytes in the subcutaneous tissue in which the said biosensor is implanted, the method comprising:

detecting the position of the implanted biosensor platform via optical pattern recognition methods using a camera and imaging device and light sources housed in the external control unit, and optical contrast producing patterns located on the surface of sub-chips in the implanted biosensor platform,

wherein said optical contrast producing patterns are coded with 1-dimensional bar code or 2-dimensional UR code,

said coded bar code patterns are implemented using reflective metal patterns, semiconducting patterns or phosphor material patterns which are generating reflections at the wavelength of powering source that powers the said solar cells,

said imaging device comprises from a list of devices such as a 2-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD), a 2-D metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) imaging device,

wherein said biosensor platform is optically powered by solar cells and is in communication wirelessly with the said external control unit via optical communication using photodetector serving as receiver which receives coded instructions and transmitting analyte levels and other conditions such as power level received by solar cells using a dedicated optical transmitter,

said implanted biosensor platform

wherein precision alignment and locking of the external control unit is done by electromagnetic coils, x-y stage with 2-axis tilting and rotation features, located in the external control unit,

said electromagnetic coils function in cooperation with magnetic field sensors and magnetic regions located on the sub-chip surface of the implanted unit,

said external control unit comprising of one or more electromagnet coils which upon energizing by passing current of desired magnitude enables the alignment of the implanted biosensor platform,

said optical pattern detection and alignment and magnetic locking is done in cooperation with said external control unit microprocessor and its algorithms.