PHYSIOLOGICAL DATA ACQUISITION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR USE WITH AN IMPLANTED WIRELESS SENSOR

• US 20080081962A1
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings Ii S.A.R.L.
• Original Assignee: CardioMEMS Incorporated
• Inventors: Rutkowski, Kim, Moore, Erik, Brogdon, Shawn, Miller, Donald, Kroh, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,111,150 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/301
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/263 Multiple coils at either side
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/48 Transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/73 for taking measurements, e.g. using sensing coils

Abstract

Aspects and embodiments of the present invention provide a system for obtaining, processing and managing data from an implanted sensor. In some embodiments, a patient or other persons can use a flexible antenna to obtain data from the implanted sensor. The flexible antenna includes at least one transmit loop and at least one receive loop. The transmit loop is adapted to propagate energizing signals to the implanted sensor. The receive loop is adapted to detect a response signal from the implanted sensor. The transmit loop includes a capacitor formed by a discontinuous area. The capacitor is adapted to allow the loop to be tuned. The flexible antenna can communicate with a patient device that collects the data from the implanted sensor, creates a data file and transmits the data file to a remote server over a network. A physician or other authorized person may access the remote server using an access device.

Claims

1. A system for obtaining, processing and managing data from an implanted sensor, the system comprising:

a flexible antenna comprising a transmit loop and a receive loop, the receive loop for receiving an implanted sensor signal containing data, the transmit loop for transmitting an energizing signal to the implanted sensor, the transmit loop comprising a capacitor to tune the transmit loop, wherein the capacitor is formed by a first element, a second element disconnected from the first element, and a gap between the first element and the second element, the gap having a pre-selected size, wherein the flexible antenna sends the data to a patient device;

the patient device comprising a patient device engine that creates a data file based on the sensor signal data and transmits the data file to a remote server over the network, wherein the remote server stores the data file; and

an access device for accessing the data file, wherein the access device is in communication with the remote server.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a patient control device associated with the antenna, wherein the patient control device causes the antenna to transmit an energizing signal to the implanted sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote server comprises a management engine that scans the remote server for new data files, formats the data files, and sends a notification to a user that new data files are stored on the remote server.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the management engine formats the data files by sorting data in a database, generating a waveform based on the data, and creating a visual display of the data.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the data file comprises patient identification and an implanted sensor signal waveform.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmit loop and the receive loop are associated with a substrate, the substrate being attached to a base comprising a pad adapted to receive a person'"'"'s body part, wherein the antenna is in communication with the patient device through an antenna cable associated with the base.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the base comprises self diagnostic circuitry for detecting flexible antenna malfunctions, the self diagnostic circuitry comprising an inductor connected to a capacitor through a switch.

8. A flexible antenna, comprising:

a receive loop that receives implanted sensor signals;

a transmit loop for transmitting an energizing signal to the implanted sensor, the transmit loop comprising a first element, a second element, and a capacitor formed by the first element, the second element disconnected from the first element, and a gap between the first element and the second element, the gap having a pre-selected size, wherein the flexible antenna sends the data to a patient device; and

a substrate, wherein the receive loop and transmit loop are mounted to the substrate and the substrate being connected to a base.

9. The flexible antenna of claim 8, further comprising a sheath adapted to receive the receive loop and the transmit loop, the sheath being connected to the substrate.

10. The flexible antenna of claim 8, wherein the base comprises:

a pad adapted to receive a person'"'"'s body part;

a support structure; and

a shield for substantially preventing electromagnetic signals from passing through the shield, the shield comprising a conduit housing an antenna cable adapted to connect to the receive loop and transmit loop.

11. The flexible antenna of claim 10, wherein the pad is a headrest pad adapted to receive a person'"'"'s head.

12. The flexible antenna of claim 10, wherein the base further comprises self diagnostic circuitry adapted to detect flexible antenna malfunctions, the self diagnostic circuitry comprising an inductor connected to a capacitor through a switch.

13. The flexible antenna of claim 8, wherein the capacitor is adapted to tune the transmit loop.