Wireless flow sensor methods

• US 8,870,768 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2013
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Switzerland Sàrl
• Original Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kassem, Salim
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Jacqueline
• Assistant Examiner(s): Agahi, Puya
• Application Number:
  US13/875,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20130245404A1
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 600/301, 600/486, 600/488, 600/504, 600/561, 600/309, 600/465, 600/468, 600/505, 604/9, 604/8
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0015 characterised by features of the telemetry system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0075 by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy A61B5/0071 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3523 using telemetric means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 27/006 Cerebrospinal drainage; Accessories therefor, e.g. valves

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.

Claims

1. A method for measuring fluid flow, comprising:

implanting a sensor in a patient, the sensor including a sensor housing positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the sensor housing having a radio frequency tag and a conductive member disposed therein, the conductive member being configured to cover the radio frequency tag based on a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing;

transmitting a wireless signal to the radio frequency tag disposed within the implanted sensor housing from a reading device; and

wirelessly receiving a response from the radio frequency tag that indicates the rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing,

wherein the radio frequency tag is configured to move in response to the fluid flowing through the sensor housing, the movement allowing the conductive member to cover different portions of the radio frequency tag.

2. A method for measuring fluid flow, comprising:

implanting a sensor in a patient, the sensor including a sensor housing positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the sensor housing having a radio frequency tag and a conductive member disposed therein, the conductive member being configured to cover the radio frequency tag based on a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing;

transmitting a wireless signal to the radio frequency tag disposed within the implanted sensor housing from a reading device; and

wirelessly receiving a response from the radio frequency tag that indicates the rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing,

wherein the radio frequency tag has a rotationally asymmetric antenna pattern formed therein, and the conductive member is configured to cover different portions of the pattern based on the rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing.

3. A method for measuring fluid flow, comprising:

implanting a sensor in a patient, the sensor including a sensor housing positioned between an inlet tube and an outlet tube, the sensor housing having a radio frequency tag and a conductive member disposed therein, the conductive member being configured to cover the radio frequency tag based on a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing;

transmitting a wireless signal to the radio frequency tag disposed within the implanted sensor housing from a reading device; and

wirelessly receiving a response from the radio frequency tag that indicates the rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing,

wherein the conductive member is configured to rotate with circular motion in response to fluid flowing through the sensor housing, thereby moving the conductive member so as to cover different portions of the radio frequency tag.