Subcutaneous electrical data port

• US 5,701,895 A
• Filed: 10/07/1996
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sulzer Intermedics, Inc. (Sulzer AG)
• Original Assignee: Sulzer Intermedics, Inc. (Sulzer AG)
• Inventors: Simmons, Roy III, Prutchi, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Kamm, William E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US08/726,550
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 128/901, 128/630, 128/899, 607/1, 607/2, 607/9, 607/27, 607/30-33, 607/36-38, 607/60, 607/61, 607/52
• US Class Current: 600/300
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6865 Access ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/36017 with leads or electrodes penetrating the skin

Abstract

An implantable subcutaneous data port for transferring data received from a sensor implanted within a subject. The data port electrically connects to the sensor and includes a control circuit electrically connected to an access port. The control circuit includes a current loop transmitter which modulates a current loop signal with voltage outputs from the sensor. This current loop signal transmits through the access port to an externally located current loop receiver which converts the current loop signal into an output voltage. Needle electrodes are insertable through the skin of the subject to the access port and provide an electrical interface between the control circuit and current loop receiver.

Claims

1. An implantable data port, comprising:

an outer housing formed of a nonconductive, biologically compatible material and being subcutaneously implantable within a subject;

means for electrically connecting an implantable lead to said data port and for receiving an electrical signal;

a control circuit within said housing electrically connected to said means for connecting a lead;

a current loop transmitter connected to said control circuit, said current loop transmitter being adapted to produce a current proportional to said electrical signal;

a ground electrode electrically connected to said control circuit and exposed through said biologically compatible material; and

at least one access port on said housing and electrically connected to said current loop transmitter for connecting said data port to a current loop receiver.

2. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source;

a data port having

an outer housing formed of a nonconductive, biologically compatible material and being subcutaneously implantable within a subject,

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter enclosed within said outer housing, and

a first electrical connection for connecting said control circuit to said power source;

an implantable sensor;

a second electrical connection connecting said sensor to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and a power source connected thereto and a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein said second electrical connection comprises a lead.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein said sensor comprises an electrode.

5. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source;

a data port having

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter, and

a first electrical connection connecting said control circuit to said power source;

a bipolar electrode;

a second electrical connection comprising a lead, said lead connecting said bipolar electrode to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter.

6. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source;

a data port having

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter,

a reference electrode,

a connector connecting said reference electrode to said control circuit, and

a first electrical connection connecting said control circuit to said power source;

an electrode;

a second electrical connection comprising a lead and connecting said electrode to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter.

7. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source;

a data port having

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter, and

a first electrical connection connecting said control circuit to said power source;

a female connector port in electrical communication with said control circuit;

an electrode;

a second electrical connection comprising a lead having a male connector end adapted to be received within said female connector port for connecting said electrode to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter.

8. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source having an electrically conductive needle;

a data port having

a body of biologically compatible material;

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter, said body containing said control circuit, and

a first electrical connection connecting said control circuit to said power source, said first electrical connection comprising an access port including a conductive filler, said electrically conductive needle being adapted to connect to said access port through said conductive filler;

a sensor;

a second electrical connection connecting said sensor to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said third electrical connection comprises an access port including a conductive filler, and wherein said electrical converter has an electrically conductive needle for connecting to said access port.

10. A system for acquiring biological data from a living organism, said system comprising:

a power source;

a data port having

a body of biologically compatible material,

a control circuit with a current loop transmitter, said control circuit being contained within said body and

a first electrical connection connecting said control circuit to said power source;

a sensor;

a second electrical connection connecting said sensor to said control circuit;

an electrical converter having a current loop receiver and

a third electrical connection connecting said current loop receiver to said current loop transmitter, said third electrical connection comprising an access port including a conductive filler, and said electrical converter having an electrically conductive neddle for connecting to said access port.