WIRELESS FLOW SENSOR

• US 20130245403A1
• Filed: 05/02/2013
• Published: 09/19/2013
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 8,864,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/309
• 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. An implantable sensor, comprising:

a sensor housing adapted to receive fluid flow therethrough; and

a conductive member disposed within the valve assembly and configured to selectively cover at least a portion of a radio frequency tag and thereby alter a response thereof to a received wireless signal to indicate a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing.

2. The implantable sensor of claim 1, wherein the response has at least one measurable characteristic selected from the group consisting of resonant frequency, harmonic spectra, decay characteristic, and Q factor.

3. The implantable sensor of claim 1, wherein the conductive member is configured to move relative to the radio frequency tag.

4. The implantable sensor of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag is configured to move relative to the conductive member.

5. The implantable sensor of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency tag comprises a disk having an asymmetrical antenna formed thereon.

6. The implantable sensor of claim 1, further comprising a valve assembly adapted to control a rate of fluid flowing through the sensor housing, the valve assembly being in fluid communication with the sensor housing.

7. The implantable sensor of claim 1, wherein the conductive member forms part of a rotatable disk.