MULTIPLE SENSOR DEPLOYMENT

• US 20080021333A1
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Huelskamp, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,955,268 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/486
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02158 provided with two or more sensor elements

Abstract

A method of measuring pressure within the human body including implanting a pressure sensing assembly having a flexible structure and first and second sensor elements having self-contained power supplies coupled to the flexible structure. Periodic data collection events are performed to collect data from the sensor elements. A data collection event includes a request for data from a remote communication device, a transfer of sensor data to the remote communication device and a processing of the sensor data. The invention also includes a sensor assembly for implantation into a human body. The sensor assembly includes a first sensor having a self-contained power supply, a sensing element and an integral communication device capable of communicating with a remote communication device. The sensor assembly also includes a second sensor and a flexible structure to which the first and second sensor are attached.

Claims

1. A method of measuring blood pressure within a human body, comprising:

implanting a pressure sensing assembly into a vessel near the heart in the human body, the sensor assembly including a flexible structure capable of expanding when implanted, a first sensor member having a self contained electric power supply coupled to the flexible structure, and a second sensor member having a self contained electric power supply coupled to the flexible structure; and

performing periodic data collection events, including collecting a sensor data packet from at least one of the first sensor member and the second sensor member.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing a data collection event includes collecting a plurality of sensor data packets from one of the first sensor member and the second sensor member.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing a data collection event includes collecting a plurality of sensor data packets from each of the first sensor member and the second sensor member.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of performing a data collection event includes collecting a plurality of sensor data packets interleaved from the first sensor member and the second sensor member.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing periodic data collection events includes performing alternating periodic events of collecting data from the first sensor member and collecting data from the second sensor member.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing periodic data collection events includes

providing a request for data from a remote communication device to the first sensor element;

transferring a sensor data packet from the first sensor member to the remote communication device in response to the request for data; and

processing the sensor data packet transferred to the remote communication device from the pressure sensing assembly in response to the request for data.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of providing a request for data from a remote communication device to the first sensor member includes broadcasting a message and wherein the message includes address information recognized by the first sensor member.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of transferring a sensor data packet from the first sensor member includes transferring a power supply value representing the charge level of the self-contained power supply, the step of processing the sensor data includes comparing the power supply value against a threshold value, and the step of collecting data from the second sensor element is not performed until the charge value of the self-contained power supply of the first sensor member is lower than the threshold level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of implanting a pressure sensing assembly includes:

inserting a first end of a hollow flexible insertion tool into the human body and feeding the insertion tool into the body so that the first end is positioned adjacent to a desired implantation site;

inserting the pressure sensing assembly into a second end of the insertion tool;

urging the pressure sensing assembly through the insertion tool until the assembly is seated at the desired implantation site; and

removing the insertion tool.

10. A pressure sensing system comprising:

a pressure sensing assembly for implantation into a human body, comprising;

a flexible structure capable of expanding when implanted within the human body;

a first pressure sensor member coupled to the flexible structure, including;

a self-contained power supply;

a sensing element; and

an integral communication device capable of communicating with a remote communication device; and

a second pressure sensor member coupled to the flexible structure.

11. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible structure is a stent.

12. The sensor assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible structure has a first end and a second end, and wherein the first sensor member is coupled to the first end.

13. The sensor assembly of claim 12, wherein the second sensor member is coupled to the second end of the flexible structure.

14. The pressure sensing system of claim 10, further comprising a remote communication device implanted within the human body.

15. The pressure sensing system of claim 14, wherein the remote communication device is a pulse generator.

16. The pressure sensing system of claim 14, wherein the remote communication device is capable of broadcasting messages having address data and wherein the first sensor element includes address data and is capable of recognizing messages broadcast from the remote communication device having corresponding address data.

17. A sensor assembly for implantation into a human body, comprising:

a flexible structure capable of expanding when implanted within a vessel in the human body;

a first pressure sensor means coupled to the flexible structure; and

a second pressure sensor means coupled to the flexible structure.

18. The sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible structure is a stent.

19. The sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the flexible structure defines first and second opposing ends and the first pressure sensor means is coupled to the first end and the second pressure sensor means is secured to the second end of the flexible structure.

20. The sensor assembly of claim 17, wherein the sensor assembly is adapted to be implanted within a bodily vessel through a catheter.