Wireless flow sensor
First Claim
1. An implantable sensor for measuring fluid flow, comprising:
- a sensor housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough;
a radio frequency tag disposed within the sensor housing and adapted to interact with a wireless signal and to produce a response thereto; and
a masking element disposed in the sensor housing, the masking element and the radio frequency tag configured to move relative to one another to alter the response of the radio frequency tag and thereby indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing, wherein the masking element is configured to rotate around an axis thereof in relation to the flow rate of fluid through the sensor housing.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods useful for non-invasively measuring and indicating a rate of fluid flow are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor housing adapted to received fluid flow therethrough is provided. A radio frequency tag and a masking element can be disposed in the sensor housing. The masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions or movement can alter the response of the radio frequency tag to a wireless signal (which can be emitted from an external reading device, for example) and thereby indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the housing. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag in correspondence to the flow rate, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag'"'"'s response to the wireless signal.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An implantable sensor for measuring fluid flow, comprising:
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a sensor housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough; a radio frequency tag disposed within the sensor housing and adapted to interact with a wireless signal and to produce a response thereto; and a masking element disposed in the sensor housing, the masking element and the radio frequency tag configured to move relative to one another to alter the response of the radio frequency tag and thereby indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing, wherein the masking element is configured to rotate around an axis thereof in relation to the flow rate of fluid through the sensor housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An implantable sensor for measuring fluid flow, comprising:
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a sensor housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough; a radio frequency tag disposed within the sensor housing and adapted to interact with a wireless signal and to produce a response thereto; and a masking element disposed in the sensor housing, the masking element being positioned adjacent to the radio frequency tag and at least one of the masking element and the radio frequency tag being movable between a first position, where the masking element covers a first portion of the radio frequency tag, and a second position, where the masking element covers a second portion of the radio frequency tag, the first portion being larger than the second portion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification