Wireless pressure setting indicator
First Claim
1. A method for indicating a pressure setting of an implantable valve, comprising:
- transmitting a wireless signal from a reading device to a radio frequency tag disposed within a valve housing positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the radio frequency tag adapted to indicate a pressure setting of a valve disposed within the valve housing, the pressure setting being one of a plurality of selectable pressure settings, each of the plurality of pressure settings corresponding to a pressure at which a fluid will flow through the valve between the inlet tube and the outlet tube;
wirelessly receiving a response to the wireless signal from the radio frequency tag that indicates the pressure setting;
wherein a masking element is disposed in the valve housing;
at least one of the masking element and the radio frequency tag is configured to move relative to the other one of the masking element and the radio frequency tag such that the masking element masks different portions of the radio frequency tag, thereby altering the response of the radio frequency tag; and
each of the pressure settings corresponds a different position of the masking element and the radio frequency tag relative to one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods useful for non-invasively indicating the position or setting of a mechanical device, such as a sensor or control in an implanted medical device, are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a valve housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough is provided. The flow of fluid through the valve housing can be controlled, for example, by a valve assembly that has a plurality of predetermined pressure settings. A radio frequency tag can be disposed in the valve assembly, and the masking element and the radio frequency tag can be configured to move relative to one another. The relative positions of the masking element and the radio frequency tag 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 the pressure setting of the valve assembly. For example, in some embodiments, the masking element can selectively cover at least part of the radio frequency tag according to the pressure setting of the valve assembly, which can change a characteristic of the radio frequency tag'"'"'s response to the wireless signal.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for indicating a pressure setting of an implantable valve, comprising:
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transmitting a wireless signal from a reading device to a radio frequency tag disposed within a valve housing positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the radio frequency tag adapted to indicate a pressure setting of a valve disposed within the valve housing, the pressure setting being one of a plurality of selectable pressure settings, each of the plurality of pressure settings corresponding to a pressure at which a fluid will flow through the valve between the inlet tube and the outlet tube; wirelessly receiving a response to the wireless signal from the radio frequency tag that indicates the pressure setting; wherein a masking element is disposed in the valve housing; at least one of the masking element and the radio frequency tag is configured to move relative to the other one of the masking element and the radio frequency tag such that the masking element masks different portions of the radio frequency tag, thereby altering the response of the radio frequency tag; and each of the pressure settings corresponds a different position of the masking element and the radio frequency tag relative to one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification