Disposable pressure diaphragm and wireless sensor systems and methods

• US 7,017,416 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, James Z., Cook, James D., Dierauer, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, ANDRE J
• Application Number:
  US10/972,260
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 737/15, 737/00, 737/02
• US Class Current: 73/702
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/02 Details of sensors specially adapted for in-vivo measurements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/03 Detecting, measuring or recording fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs A61B5/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 9/0025 with acoustic surface waves

Abstract

A disposable and wireless sensor system and method are disclosed. In general, a pressure diaphragm can be connected to one or more reusable Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) probe heads, which are associated with an antenna for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals that excite the reusable SAW probe head only when the reusable SAW head is in contact with the pressure diaphragm. Interrogation electronics can also be provided, which are associated with the reusable SAW probe head. One or more signals can be wirelessly transmitted to the interrogation electronics for exciting the reusable SAW probe head for pressure sensing applications thereof.

Claims

1. A disposable sensor system, comprising:

a pressure diaphragm connected to at least one reusable Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) probe head associated with an antenna for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals, which excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head only when said at least one reusable SAW head is in contact with said pressure diaphragm;

interrogation electronics associated with said at least one reusable SAW probe head, wherein a signal from said at least one reusable SAW probe head can be wirelessly transmitted to said interrogation electronics for exciting said at least one reusable SAW probe head for pressure sensing applications thereof; and

an iron ring that surrounds said at least one reusable SAW probe head, wherein said iron ring initiates a switch via a magnetic force when said pressure diaphragm and said at least one reusable SAW probe head contact one another so that said switch connects said at least one reusable SAW probe head to said antenna and thereby excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head via said interrogation electronics.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one reusable SAW probe head is connected magnetically to said pressure diaphragm via a magnetic force.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one reusable SAW probe head is connected mechanically to said pressure diaphragm.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said at least one reusable SAW probe head is connected to said pressure diaphragm via a vacuum force.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a low thermal conductivity material.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a corrugated shape for improved linearity.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a bossed shape for improved linearity.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a biocompatible material and is located proximate to and on a catheter through which a fluid flows.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a disposable pressure diaphragm.

10. A disposable sensor system, comprising:

a disposable pressure diaphragm magnetically connected to at least one reusable Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) probe head associated with an antenna for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals, which excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head only when said at least one reusable SAW head is in contact with said disposable pressure diaphragm;

interrogation electronics associated with said at least one reusable SAW probe head, wherein a signal from said at least one reusable SAW probe head can be wirelessly transmitted to said interrogation electronics for exciting said at least one reusable SAW probe head for pressure sensing applications thereof; and

a ring magnet that surrounds said at least one reusable SAW probe head, wherein said ring magnet and an iron ring located on pressure diaphragm initiates a switch via a magnetic force when said disposable pressure diaphragm and said at least one reusable SAW probe head contact one another so that said switch connects said at least one reusable SAW probe head to said antenna and thereby excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head via said interrogation electronics; and

a catheter through which fluid flows, wherein said pressure diaphragm is located at and molded to said catheter in order to permit sensing of pressure on or within said catheter by said SAW probe head.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a biocompatible material.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said fluid flowing through said catheter comprises blood.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said pressure diaphragm is formed from a low thermal conductivity material.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said pressure diaphragm comprises a corrugated shape for improved linearity.

15. A disposable sensor method, comprising the steps of:

connecting a disposable pressure diaphragm to at least one reusable Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) probe head associated with an antenna for wirelessly receiving or transmitting signals, which excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head only when said at least one reusable SAW head is in contact with said disposable pressure diaphragm;

associating interrogation electronics with said at least one reusable SAW probe head, wherein a signal from said at least one reusable SAW probe head can be wirelessly transmitted to said interrogation electronics for exciting said at least one reusable SAW probe head for pressure sensing applications thereof; and

surrounding said at least one reusable SAW probe head with said ring magnet, wherein said ring magnet and an iron ring located on pressure diaphragm initiates a switch via a magnetic force when said disposable pressure diaphragm and said at least one reusable SAW probe head contact one another so that said switch connects said at least one reusable SAW probe head to said antenna and thereby excite said at least one reusable SAW probe head via said interrogation electronics.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of connecting a disposable pressure diaphragm to at least one reusable SAW probe head, further comprises the step of:

magnetically connecting said disposable pressure diaphragm to said at least one reusable SAW probe head via a magnetic force.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of connecting a disposable pressure diaphragm to at least one reusable SAW probe head, further comprises the step of:

mechanically connecting said disposable pressure diaphragm to said at least one reusable SAW probe head.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the step of connecting a disposable pressure diaphragm to at least one reusable SAW probe head, further comprises the step of:

connecting said disposable pressure diaphragm to said at least one reusable SAW probe via a vacuum force.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of forming said disposable pressure diaphragm from a low thermal conductivity material.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of configuring said disposable pressure diaphragm in a corrugated shape for improved linearity.

21. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

forming said disposable pressure diaphragm from a biocompatible material;

locating said disposable pressure diaphragm proximate to and on a catheter through which a fluid flows; and

molding said disposable pressure diaphragm in said catheter.