Acoustic switch and apparatus and methods for using acoustic switches within a body
First Claim
1. An implant for surgical insertion, implantation, or location within a body, comprising:
- an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated;
a sensor coupled to the electrical circuit for measuring a physiological parameter within the body, the one or more commands comprising activating the sensor to measure a physiological parameter within the body;
an energy storage device;
a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device; and
an acoustic transducer coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer being activatable upon acoustic excitation by an external acoustic energy source for closing the switch to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, the acoustic transducer further configured for transmitting an acoustic signal proportional to the physiological parameter to a receiver external to the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An implant for insertion or implantation within a body includes an electrical circuit for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, and a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer being activatable upon acoustic excitation by an external acoustic energy source for closing the switch to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit. The one or more commands includes measuring a physiological parameter with a biosensor coupled to the electrical circuit, or controlling a therapeutic device coupled to the electrical circuit. The therapeutic device or biosensor may be activated for a predetermined time or until the switch is opened in response to another acoustic excitation of the acoustic transducer.
383 Citations
26 Claims
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1. An implant for surgical insertion, implantation, or location within a body, comprising:
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an electrical circuit configured for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated;
a sensor coupled to the electrical circuit for measuring a physiological parameter within the body, the one or more commands comprising activating the sensor to measure a physiological parameter within the body;
an energy storage device;
a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device; and
an acoustic transducer coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer being activatable upon acoustic excitation by an external acoustic energy source for closing the switch to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit, the acoustic transducer further configured for transmitting an acoustic signal proportional to the physiological parameter to a receiver external to the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
a cell member having a cavity;
a substantially flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the piezoelectric layer having predetermined dimensions for enabling fluctuations at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and
a first electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the internal surface.
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7. The implant of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises a battery.
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8. The implant of claim 1, wherein the energy storage device comprises a rechargeable device, the rechargeable device being rechargeable by a device external to the body.
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9. The implant of claim 1, wherein the acoustic transducer is configured for receiving a first acoustic excitation signal followed by a second acoustic excitation signal, the electrical circuit configured for interpreting the second acoustic excitation signal as one of a predetermined set of commands.
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10. The implant of claim 1, further comprising a timer coupled to the switch, the timer configured for opening the switch after a predetermined time has passed after the switch is initially closed.
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11. A method for transmitting information to an implant comprising an acoustic switch coupled to an electrical circuit and an energy storage device, the implant being located within a body, the method comprising:
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transmitting one or more acoustic signals comprising an acoustic activation signal and an acoustic command signal from a source located outside of the body towards the implant; and
closing the acoustic switch in response to the acoustic activation signal, whereupon current flows from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit;
wherein the acoustic switch sends an electrical command signal to the electrical circuit in response to the acoustic command signal. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method for exchanging information with an implant comprising an acoustic switch including an acoustic transducer, an electrical circuit coupled to the acoustic switch, and an energy storage device, the implant being located within a body, the method comprising:
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transmitting an acoustic activation signal to the acoustic transducer from a source located outside of the body towards the implant, the acoustic switch closing in response to the acoustic activation signal, whereupon current flows from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit;
measuring a physiological parameter within the body with the implant; and
receiving an acoustic signal proportional to the physiological parameter from the implant with a receiver located outside the body. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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Specification