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Body position and activity sensor

  • US 5,755,741 A
  • Filed: 07/10/1996
  • Issued: 05/26/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sensor that is implantable within a body of a patient and provides at least one signal that is indicative of the orientation of the sensor, the sensor comprising:

  • cylindrical enclosure having a first end and extending along an axis from the first end wherein said cylindrical enclosure defines a generally cylindrical cavity and has a first surface at a first end wherein said cylindrical enclosure is configured so that said cylindrical enclosure is adapted for implantation in the body of the patient so that said cylindrical enclosure is in a fixed orientation so that movement of the body results in corresponding movement of the enclosure;

    a central electrode positioned within the cavity and mounted on the first surface so as to extend substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical cavity;

    a plurality of peripheral electrodes positioned within the cavity about the central electrode so as to extend from the first surface in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the cylindrical cavity wherein the plurality of peripheral electrodes are comprised of electrodes that are planar in configuration with an inner surface that is curved so that each point on the inner surface is substantially the same distance from the central electrode;

    an electrolytic solution positioned in the cavity wherein movement of the sensor about the axis of the cavity while the sensor is implanted in a fixed orientation with respect to the body so that movement of the body results in corresponding movement of the sensor results in variations in the quantity of electrolytic solution positioned between the central electrode and the plurality of peripheral electrodes; and

    a circuit, that is connected to the central electrodes and the plurality of peripheral electrodes, that applies an electrical signal between the central electrodes and at least one of the peripheral electrodes so that when the electrical signal is applied between the central electrode and at least one of the peripheral electrodes, the circuit obtains a signal between the central electrode and at least one of the plurality of peripheral electrodes which is indicative of the movement of the sensor and is thereby indicative of movement of the body when the sensor is implanted in the body of the patient in a fixed orientation with respect to the body.

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