Nanodevices, microdevices and sensors on in-vivo structures and method for the same

• US 7,232,460 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2002
• Issued: 06/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Xillus, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Xillus, Inc.
• Inventors: Van Erlach, Julian, Scott, Mark D., Smith, Jeffrey M., Peterson, James E., Olsen, Arlen L., Bender, Gerald E., Donnelly, Denis P., Smith, Laura B., Stinchcomb, Audra L., Dudding, Gerald F., Whitmer, Roger D.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US10/132,555
• Publication Number:
  US 20030032892A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,881 Days
• Field of Search: 600309-310, 600/547, 600/587, 604/890.1, 623 111- 112, 623/1.15
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0285 Nanoscale sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02007 Evaluating blood vessel condition, e.g. elasticity, compliance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/07 Endoradiosondes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1459 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence

Abstract

An in-vivo method and apparatus is disclosed that comprises at least one sensor for determining changes in a human'"'"'s an animal'"'"'s body and reporting said changes outside the body. The sensor may be embedded in a sheath. The apparatus may be used to monitor chemical or physical changes in the body fluids. Alternatively, the apparatus may be used to monitor and regulate chemical or physical levels in humans and animals.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a sheath having an inner and outer surface, wherein the outer surface is adapted for contacting a wall of a body passage, and the inner surface forms a lumen for enabling flow of body fluids therethrough;

at least two sensors operatively attached to the sheath, for determining changes in a diameter of the lumen, wherein the at least two sensors further are arranged for determining changes due to collapse of the sheath; and

a means for reporting the changes without an intervening wire.