Remotely interrogated diagnostic implant device with electrically passive sensor
First Claim
1. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
- a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal;
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function, the sensing circuit including an inductive element wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implant device is provided which is responsive to an external interrogation circuit. The implant device includes a structure implantable within a living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal. The device further includes an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function. In particular, the sensing circuit includes an inductive element wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal;
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function, the sensing circuit including an inductive element wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal; and
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function;
wherein the sensing circuit includes an inductive element;
wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter; and
wherein the structure is a graft insertable in line with an existing blood vessel for facilitating blood flow through the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal; and
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function;
wherein the sensing circuit includes an inductive element;
wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter; and
wherein the sensing circuit comprises a SAW sensor having an output dependent upon the sensed parameter to produce changes in the impedance loading effect of the sensing circuit. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal; and
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function;
wherein the sensing circuit includes an inductive element;
wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter;
wherein the structure is a stent insertable in a blood vessel to facilitate blood flow through the vessel; and
wherein the stent comprises a composite structure and the inductive element is embedded in the composite structure.
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18. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal; and
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function;
wherein the sensing circuit includes an inductive element;
wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter;
wherein the structure is a stent insertable in a blood vessel to facilitate blood flow through the vessel; and
wherein the inductive element is a double helix structure.
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19. An implant device responsive to an interrogation circuit having an exciter/interrogator element which is located outside a living animal, the implant device comprising:
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a structure implantable within the living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal;
an electrically passive sensing circuit integral with the structure for sensing a parameter associated with the function;
wherein the sensing circuit including an inductive element;
wherein the sensing circuit has a frequency dependent variable impedance loading effect on the interrogation circuit in response to an interrogation signal provided by the exciter/interrogator element, the impedance loading effect varying in relation to the sensed parameter;
wherein the structure is a stent insertable in a blood vessel to facilitate blood flow through the vessel; and
wherein the sensed parameter represents a degree of restenosis within the stent.
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Specification