Implantable pressure transducer system optimized to correct environmental factors

• US 20050288604A1
• Filed: 04/27/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Pacesetter Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories Incorporated)
• Inventors: Eigler, Neal L., Whiting, James S., Hafelfinger, Werner, Mann, Brian M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,060,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/561
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3468 for implanting or removing devices, e.g. prostheses, implants, seeds, wires devices for implanting seeds A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6869 Heart
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0233 specifically adapted for attaching to a body wall by means which are on both sides of the wall, e.g. for attaching to an abdominal wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0108 using radio-opaque or ultrasound markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/04 in the body, e.g. expansible A61M25/10, A61M16/0488 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/3629 in combination with non-electric therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2001/0578 having means for removal or extraction

Abstract

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for optimizing the performance and minimizing complications related to implanted sensors, such as pressure sensors, for the purposes of detecting, diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease in a medical patient. Systems and methods for anchoring implanted sensors to various body structures is also provided.

Claims

1. An implantable sensing system, comprising:

a biocompatible sensor housing,

a pressure sensing interface hermetically sealed to the sensor housing; and

a plurality of strain gauges joined to the pressure sensing interface;

wherein the plurality of strain gauges are arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.

2. The implantable pressuring sensing system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of strain gauges comprises a silicon strain gauge.

3. The implantable pressuring sensing system of claim 2, wherein said silicon strain gauge comprises an insulation layer.

4. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 3, wherein said insulation layer of the silicon strain gauge comprises silicon dioxide grown on a bottom of the silicon strain gauge.

5. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of strain gauges comprises an inner set of strain gauges and an outer set of strain gauges, wherein said inner set is generally located about the center of said sensing interface and said outer set is generally located near the periphery of said sensing interface.

6. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 5, wherein said inner set of strain gauges and said outer set of strain gauges are generally oriented orthogonally on said pressure sensing interface.

7. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 5, wherein said inner set of strain gauges and said outer set of strain gauges are generally oriented about 180 degrees apart on said sensing interface.

8. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature compensation system.

9. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 8, wherein said temperature compensation system comprises a temperature sensing element capable of providing temperature-related information over a physiological range of temperatures.

10. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 8, wherein said temperature compensation system is a temperature compensating arrangement integral with said plurality of strain gauges, wherein said plurality of strain gauges are resistive strain gauges arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.

11. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein at least one strain gauge has a frequency response between about 500 Hz to about 2000 Hz.

12. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein at least one strain gauge has a frequency response less than about 500 Hz.

13. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, wherein at least one strain gauge has a frequency response greater than about 2000 Hz.

14. The implantable pressure sensing system of claim 1, further comprising at least one semiconductor component configured to at least one function selected from the group comprising:

power control, pressure signal transduction, local signal processing and data telemetry.

15. An implantable pressure sensor, comprising:

means for pressure sensing in the body;

means for housing said sensing means chronically in a body; and

a means for providing temperature correction for the pressure sensing means.

16. A method for monitoring a patient, comprising:

providing a hermetically sealed pressure transducer in a body;

detecting a pressure with the hermetically sealed pressure transducer; and

providing a temperature modulated pressure signal with the hermetically sealed pressure transducer.

17. The method for monitoring a patient in claim 16, wherein the temperature modulated pressure signal is modulated using a temperature sensor.

18. The method for monitoring a patient in claim 16, wherein the temperature modulated pressure signal originates from a plurality of resistive strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge configuration.