Anchor for sensor implanted in a bodily lumen

• US 20020188207A1
• Filed: 05/02/2002
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MicroSense, LLC (KLA Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MicroSense, LLC (KLA Corporation)
• Inventors: Richter, Jacob
• Application Number:
  US10/139,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20020188207A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12022 Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires plugging an opening in the wall of an organ A61B17/0057; occluders for the cervical canal A61F6/146; vas deferens occluders A61F6/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12109 in a blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12172 having a pre-set deployed three-dimensional shape methods of manufacturing A61B2017/00526
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• 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: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0008 Fixation appliances for connecting prostheses to the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 for data transfer

Abstract

A device and method for centrally positioning a sensor in a bodily lumen. A sensor support is coupled to an anchor that is inserted into a bodily lumen. The anchor is then secured within the bodily lumen, in one embodiment, by attaching the support legs of the anchor to the bodily lumen. The support legs of the anchor have protrusions to attach to the walls of the bodily lumen. The sensor is positioned at the center of the lumen to more accurately measure the physiological properties and biochemical parameters of the lumen. The anchor may be inserted during an intervention procedure or during a special insertion procedure. The sensor may be remotely interrogated exterior to the bodily lumen periodically or continuously. Furthermore, the sensor may be provided with a protective coating to protect it from damage during insertion.

Claims

1. An anchor for a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

at least one support leg having a first end and a second end; and

a surface for receiving the sensor;

a sensor support coupled to the support leg, wherein the sensor support is disposed at the first end of the support leg such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen.

2. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the support leg further comprises a protrusion about the second end of the support leg to attach to a wall of the lumen.

3. The anchor of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is a hook, a serrated edge, a beveled edge, an adhesive, a magnetic clamp, a mechanical clamp, a suction cup, or any combination thereof.

4. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the anchor is made of an elastomeric material that is compressible, such that the shape of the sensor support is not substantially deformed.

5. The anchor of claim 4, wherein the elastomeric material comprises nickel titanium.

6. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the sensor support is positioned approximately perpendicular to a wall of the lumen.

7. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the anchor is an aneurismal repair device.

8. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the sensor support further comprises at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another within the lumen.

9. The anchor of claim 1, wherein a shape of the sensor support is independent of a shape of the anchor.

10. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the sensor is covered with a protective coating.

11. The anchor of claim 1, wherein the sensor support has a diameter of about 9 mm for large lumen and less than 5 mm for smaller lumen such that blood flow through the lumen is minimally impeded.

13. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the first support legs and second support legs further comprise at least one protrusion, wherein at least one protrusion is coupled to the second end of at least one first support leg, and at least one protrusion is coupled to the proximal end of at least one second support leg, to attach to a wall of the lumen.

14. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the sensor support is positioned approximately parallel to a wall of the lumen.

15. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the sensor support is positioned approximately perpendicular to a wall of the lumen.

16. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the anchor is composed of an elastic material.

17. The anchor of claim 16, wherein the elastic material comprises nickel titanium.

18. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the sensor support comprises at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another within the lumen.

19. The anchor of claim 18, wherein the anchor the first sensor support is coupled generally adjacent to the first end and the second sensor support is coupled generally adjacent to the second end of the anchor.

20. The anchor of claim 12, wherein the sensor support is formed from a material other than a material of the sensor.

21. The anchor of claim 12, wherein a material of the sensor support is the same as the material of the anchor.

12. An anchor for a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

a plurality of first support legs, each having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of second support legs, each having a proximal end and a distal end;

a surface for receiving the sensor; and

a sensor support coupled to the first support legs and the second support legs, wherein the sensor support is disposed at the first end of at least one support leg, and the proximal end of at least a second support leg, such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen.

22. A method for attaching a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

inserting into the lumen an anchor of the type having at least one support leg coupled to a sensor support wherein the sensor is disposed in the sensor support; and

securing the anchor within the lumen, such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the securing further includes attaching the support leg to a wall of the lumen.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes constraining the anchor in a catheter.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes removing the anchor from the catheter such that at least one protrusion of at least one support leg secures to the wall of the lumen.

26. The method of claim 22, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately parallel to a wall of the lumen.

27. The method of claim 22, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately perendicular to a wall of the lumen.

28. The method of claim 22, further includes placing a second sensor in the lumen by having the sensor support further including at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance within the lumen.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the inserting is accomplished during an intervention procedure.

30. A method for attaching a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

inserting into the lumen an anchor of the type having a plurality of first support legs, each having a first end and a second end;

a plurality of second support legs, each having a proximal end and a distal end;

a surface for receiving the sensor; and

a sensor support coupled to the first support legs and the second support legs, wherein the sensor support is disposed at the first end of at least one support leg, and the proximal end of at least a second support leg, such that the sensor is positioned in the center of the lumen; and

securing the anchor within the lumen, such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the securing further includes attaching the support leg to a wall of the lumen.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes constraining the anchor in a catheter.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes removing the anchor from the catheter such that at least one protrusion of at least one support leg secures to the wall of the lumen.

34. The method of claim 30, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately parallel to a wall of the lumen.

35. The method of claim 30, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately perpendicular to a wall of the lumen.

36. The method of claim 30, further includes placing a second sensor in the lumen by having the sensor support further including at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance within the lumen.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the insertion is accomplished during an intervention procedure.

39. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the support leg further comprises a protrusion about the second end of the support leg to attach to a wall of the lumen.

40. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the protrusion is a hook, a serrated edge, a beveled edge, an adhesive, a magnetic clamp, a mechanical clamp, a suction cup, or any combination thereof.

41. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the anchor is made of an elastomeric material that is compressible, such that the shape of the sensor support is not substantially deformed.

42. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the elastomeric material comprises nickel titanium.

43. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the sensor support is positioned approximately perpendicular to a wall of the lumen.

44. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the anchor is an aneurismal repair device.

45. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the sensor support further comprises at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another within the lumen.

46. The anchor of claim 38, wherein a shape of the sensor support is independent of a shape of the anchor.

47. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the sensor is covered with a protective coating.

48. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the sensor support has a diameter of about 9 mm for large lumen and less than 5 mm for smaller lumen such that blood flow through the lumen is minimally impeded.

49. The anchor of claim 38, wherein the sensor support is positioned approximately parallel to a wall of the lumen.

38. An anchor for a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

at least one support leg having a first end and a second end; and

a sensor support coupled to the support leg, wherein the sensor support is disposed about the first end of the support leg such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen, and the sensor support is independent of any other fixation device in the lumen.

50. A method for attaching a sensor in a bodily lumen, comprising:

inserting into the lumen an anchor of the type having at least one support leg having a first end and a second end, and a sensor support coupled to the support leg, wherein the sensor support is disposed about the first end of the support leg such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen, and the sensor support is independent of any other fixation device in the lumen; and

securing the anchor within the lumen, such that the sensor is positioned about in the center of the lumen.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the securing further includes attaching the support leg to a wall of the lumen.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes constraining the anchor in a catheter.

53. The method of claim 50, wherein the insertion of the anchor further includes removing the anchor from the catheter such that at least one protrusion of at least one support leg secures to the wall of the lumen.

54. The method of claim 50, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately parallel to a wall of the lumen.

55. The method of claim 50, further includes positioning the sensor support approximately perpendicular to a wall of the lumen.

56. The method of claim 50, further includes placing a second sensor in the lumen by having the sensor support further including at least a first sensor support and a second sensor support displaced apart from one another at a predetermined distance within the lumen.

57. The method of claim 50, wherein the inserting is accomplished during an intervention procedure.