Ultrasonic sensors for monitoring the condition of a vascular graft
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring a parameter indicative of a condition of a vessel relating to its ability to convey a fluid, said system comprising:
- (a) a carrier band that is adapted to couple about the vessel so that the carrier band is in close proximity to at least one side of the vessel;
(b) a first transducer having a plurality of conformal elements disposed in a spaced-apart array on the carrier band, said plurality of conformal elements being sufficiently flexible and shaped so that they are adapted to curve about the vessel, conforming to its shape, said first transducer being adapted to couple to a telemetry radio frequency signal and producing ultrasonic waves when excited by the telemetry radio frequency signal that are emitted from the plurality of conformal elements and are directed into an interior of the vessel; and
(c) a receiver disposed to receive the ultrasonic waves after they have propagated at least partially through the vessel, said receiver producing a signal indicative of an effect on the ultrasonic waves due to the fluid in the vessel and thus, indicative of a parameter relating to a flow of the fluid through the vessel.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A parameter indicative of the status of fluid flow is remotely monitored in a vessel, a natural graft, or a synthetic graft. One or more transducers are provided either in a wall of a synthetic graft or adjacent to a vessel or natural graft to monitor the parameter. A conformal array transducer or a tilted element is used to monitor fluid flow or velocity through the graft or vessel based on the effect of the fluid on ultrasonic waves produced by the transducers. The conformal array transducer comprises a plurality of elements that curve around the graft or vessel and are excited with an input signal provided by an implantable electronics circuit, producing ultrasonic waves that propagate into the fluid flowing within the graft or vessel. Transit time or Doppler measurements are made using an appropriate number of these transducer to determine either fluid flow or velocity. Various implantable electronic circuits are provided that enable a selected transducer to be driven and to receive an ultrasonic signal or a pressure signal indicative of the status of fluid flow monitored by the transducer. The implanted electronic circuit is connected to an implanted radio frequency (RF) coil. An external coil that is connected to a power supply and monitoring console is coupled to the implanted RF coil to convey power and receive data signals from the transducer that are indicative of the parameter being monitored.
128 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a parameter indicative of a condition of a vessel relating to its ability to convey a fluid, said system comprising:
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(a) a carrier band that is adapted to couple about the vessel so that the carrier band is in close proximity to at least one side of the vessel; (b) a first transducer having a plurality of conformal elements disposed in a spaced-apart array on the carrier band, said plurality of conformal elements being sufficiently flexible and shaped so that they are adapted to curve about the vessel, conforming to its shape, said first transducer being adapted to couple to a telemetry radio frequency signal and producing ultrasonic waves when excited by the telemetry radio frequency signal that are emitted from the plurality of conformal elements and are directed into an interior of the vessel; and (c) a receiver disposed to receive the ultrasonic waves after they have propagated at least partially through the vessel, said receiver producing a signal indicative of an effect on the ultrasonic waves due to the fluid in the vessel and thus, indicative of a parameter relating to a flow of the fluid through the vessel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification