Methods, systems, and associated implantable devices for dynamic monitoring of physiological and biological properties of tumors

• US 7,756,568 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2005
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SNC Holdings Corp.
• Original Assignee: Sicel Technologies, Inc., North Carolina State University (University of North Carolina System)
• Inventors: Mueller, Jeffrey, Nagle, H. Troy, Scarantino, Charles W., Kermani, Bahram Ghaffarzadeh, Hall, Lester C.
• Primary Examiner(s): WINAKUR, ERIC FRANK
• Application Number:
  US11/148,608
• Publication Number:
  US 20050228247A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,860 Days
• Field of Search: 600/361, 600/355, 600/364, 600/549, 600/436, 600/302, 128/903
• US Class Current: 600/436
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/085 combined with means for recording calibration data
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1486 using enzyme electrodes, e.g. with immobilised oxidase
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1495 Calibrating or testing of in-vivo probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/417 the bone marrow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/507 for determination of haemodynamic parameters, e.g. perfusion CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1048 Monitoring, verifying, controlling systems and methods
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1071 for verifying the dose delivered by the treatment plan
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/904 Telephone telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/92 Computer assisted medical diagnostics

Abstract

Biocompatible sensors configured for implantation include a first body in communication with a plurality of remote sensor bodies to detect physiological parameters in vivo.

Claims

1. An implantable biocompatible sensor system, comprising:

an implantable first body; and

a plurality of discrete implantable sensors in wireless communication with the first body, wherein said first body is configured for wireless communication with an external receiver,

wherein the plurality of the discrete sensors comprise at least one MOSFET radiation sensor element, the MOSFET radiation sensor element being passive during exposure to ionizing radiation and inductively powered after a radiation exposure to wirelessly transmit data via the first body to the external receiver while remaining implanted, the data corresponding to a dose of radiation that was delivered at a target tumor site.

2. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said discrete sensors further include at least one temperature sensor.

3. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said first body is inductively powered.

4. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said discrete sensors are configured to positionally attach to a desired solid tissue body portion proximate a tumor site.

5. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the first body comprises a transmitter coil and associated electronic components configured for wireless transmittal of sensor data to the external receiver, wherein the first body is inductively powered.

6. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein said first body and discrete sensors are sized and configured to be chronically implantable in a subject.

7. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the discrete sensors includes a plurality of the following:

an oxygen sensor element, a temperature sensor element, and a pH sensor element.

8. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the discrete sensors includes the radiation sensor element and at least one of the following:

an oxygen sensor element, a temperature sensor element, and a pH sensor element.

9. An implantable biocompatible sensor system, comprising:

an external receiver;

an implantable first body in wireless communication with the external receiver; and

a plurality of discrete implantable sensors in wireless communication with the first body, wherein at least one of the discrete sensors has a MOSFET radiation sensor element that is passive during exposure to ionizing radiation and is configured to be inductively powered after a radiation exposure to wirelessly transmit data to the first body while remaining implanted, the data corresponding to a dose of radiation that was delivered at a target tumor site.

10. An implantable biocompatible sensor according to claim 9, least one of said arms includes a plurality of sensor elements, and wherein said first body is inductively powered.

11. An implantable biocompatible sensor according to claim 9, wherein said discrete sensors are configured to positionally attach to a desired solid tissue body portion.

12. An implantable biocompatible sensor according to claim 9, wherein said discrete sensors further include at least one temperature sensor element.

13. An implantable biocompatible sensor according to claim 9, wherein the first body comprises a transmitter coil and associated electronic components configured for wireless transmittal of the sensor data to the external receiver, wherein the first body is inductively powered.

14. An implantable biocompatible sensor according to claim 9, wherein said first body and discrete sensors are sized configured to be chronically implanted in a subject.

15. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the discrete sensors includes a plurality of the following:

an oxygen sensor element, a temperature sensor element, and a pH sensor element.

16. An implantable biocompatible sensor system according to claim 9, wherein the at least one of the discrete sensors includes the radiation sensor element and at least one of the following:

an oxygen sensor element, a temperature sensor element, and a pH sensor element.