Implant device for internal-external electromyographic recording, particularly for the in vivo study of electromotor activity of the digestive system

• US 6,411,842 B1
• Filed: 11/24/1999
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Transneuronix Inc. (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Francesco Ferraro, Valerio Cigaina
• Inventors: Cigaina, Valerio, Ferraro, Francesco
• Primary Examiner(s): EVANISKO, GEORGE ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US09/449,165
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 607/48, 607/49, 607/50-52, 607/62, 607/133, 600/373, 600/377, 600/546
• US Class Current: 600/546
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/392 Detecting gastrointestinal contractions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/42 Detecting, measuring or recording for evaluating the gastrointestinal, the endocrine or the exocrine systems A61B1/00, A61B5/4857, A61B5/486, A61B5/4866, A61B5/4869 take precedence

Abstract

Implant device for internal-external electromyographic recording of the electromotor activity of the digestive system, being of the type that comprises at least one sensor implanted in the viscera to record its electric activity and to provide a device for analysis in vivo of the electric activity of the tract, capable of giving the patient normal freedom of movement.

Claims

1. An implantable device for internal-external electromyographic recording of electromotor activity of the digestive system of a patient, comprising:

a casing adapted to be received in and fully implanted in viscera of said digestive system;

at least one sensor projecting from said casing by a minimum amount necessary to permit said sensor to electrically contact muscle structure of said viscera and generate electromyographic signals;

at least one radio signal conversion and transmission unit in said casing connected to said sensor and converting into radio signals electromyographic signals received from said sensor and transmitting said radio signals from said digestive system; and

a processor at a location spaced from the patient, receiving said radio signals transmitted from said digestive system, and registering electromotor activity in said muscle structure represented by said radio signals wherein said casing is provided with a clip-off tip, with an end enabling grasping of the casing by a gripping device and with wings for holding said casing in a wall of said viscera.

2. The implantable device defined in claim 1 wherein said unit comprises at least one self powered amplifier-transmitter module received in said casing and connected to said sensor.

3. The implantable device defined in claim 2 wherein said module comprises an amplifier for amplifying a signal from said sensor and outputting an amplified analog signal, a processor-converter for converting said analog signal as supplied by said amplifier to digital signals, a transmitter-modulator unit connected to said processor-converter to convert said digital signals into said radio signals, and an antenna receiving said radio signals from said transmitter-modulator and transmitting said radio signals to said processor.

4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said amplifier has an input impedance of at least 100 M ohms and a gain of at least 200.

5. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said processor converter has a parity of at least four bits, an internal analog/digital converter, input/output ports as a function of a number of channels to be processed and a full duplex UART port with internal RAM greater than 128 bytes and an external EPROM entries.

6. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said processor converter has a clock frequency of at least two MHz.

7. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said processor at said location spaced from patient has a receiver unit provided with an antenna, a comparator connected to said receiver unit, a serial interface driver and an antenna for transmission of radio signals to a unit for processing and graphically displaying the electromotor activity in said muscle structure.

8. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said casing has dimensions enabling it to be passed through a channel in a gastroscope and is composed of an electrically insulating and biologically compatible material.

9. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said processor includes a self powered portable unit adapted to be affixed on an exterior of the skin of the patient to receive said radio signals and for transmitting said radio signals to a fixed receiver.

10. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said portable unit comprises an antenna receiving the radio signal from said casing, a receiver connected to said antenna, a transmitter forming a transponder for powering the unit in said casing, a microprocessor controlling said portable unit and batteries supplying electrical power to said portable unit.

11. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising said fixed receiver, and wherein said fixed receiver has a unit receiving signals from said portable unit, a clipping circuit connected to said unit, a serial interface driver connected to said clipping circuit and means for transmitting signals for processing and graphically displaying the electromotor activity.