Sensing apparatus and process

• US 6,915,147 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2001
• Issued: 07/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Minimed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Shah, Rajiv, Montalvo, Rudolph A., Zhang, Yanan, Chernoff, Edward, Lebel, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nasser, Robert L.
• Application Number:
  US10/036,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20030050547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 600345-365, 600504- 5, 600/327, 600/332, 600/339, 600/485, 600/549, 600/561, 600/505, 600/486, 600/488, 600322-325
• US Class Current: 600/322
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14865 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/05 for implantation or insertion into the body, e.g. heart electrode A61N1/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

A sensing apparatus with a connector, a sensor lead and a sensor module with a spacer placed over electrodes that have been deposited on a substrate. The spacer may have a space for receiving an enzyme. End portions of the sensor module may be encapsulated, such as with molded beads. A sensor lead may attach to the sensor module and may have an outer tubing that passes over the module and attaches to the beads at the end of the sensor module. The sensor lead may also attach to the connector such that the sensing apparatus may be electrically coupled to a pump, electronics or other devices. The sensing apparatus may be implanted into a vein or artery.

Claims

1. A sensing apparatus comprising:

a cable having a first end, a second end and a core, wherein the core extends from the first end of the cable to the second end of the cable;

a connector residing at the first end of the cable; and

a sensor module residing at the second end of the cable; and

a conductive element extending from the connector to the sensor module, the conductive element being helically wrapped around at least a substantial length of the core;

wherein the sensor module comprises a first end and a second end; and

wherein beads encapsulate the first end and the second end.

2. A sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module further comprises a spacing element.

3. A sensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a height of the spacing element is greater than a height of the beads.

4. A sensing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the spacing element resides between the beads.

5. A sensing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sensor module further comprises a spacing element, wherein the spacing element resides between the beads.

6. A method of making a sensing apparatus comprising:

obtaining a connector;

obtaining a cable;

obtaining a sensor module;

attaching a first end of the cable to the connector;

attaching a second end of the cable to the sensor module;

forming beads over ends of the sensor module;

inserting a spacing element between the beads;

covering the sensor module with a tubing of the cable;

cutting a window in the tubing of the cable; and

inserting an enzyme in the sensor module.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the enzyme is hydrated.

8. A sensing apparatus comprising:

a cable having a first end, a second end and a core, wherein the core extends from the first end of the cable to the second end of the cable;

a connector residing at the first end of the cable;

a sensor module residing at the second end of the cable; and

a conductive element extending from the connector to the sensor module, the conductive element being helically wrapped around at least a substantial length of the core;

wherein the sensor module further comprises a spacing element, and

wherein the spacing element comprises a first spacing element and a second spacing element, the first spacing element being configured to couple with the second spacing element, wherein the second spacing element is removable to leave a space in the first spacing element for receiving a sensing catalyst.

9. A sensing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first spacing element comprises a floor, the floor of the first spacing element being configured to allow the passage of oxygen.

10. A sensing apparatus comprising:

a cable having a first end, a second end and a core, wherein the core extends from the first end of the cable to the second end of the cable;

a connector residing at the first end of the cable;

a sensor module residing at the second end of the cable; and

a conductive element extending from the connector to the sensor module, the conductive element being helically wrapped around at least a substantial length of the core;

wherein the sensor module further comprises a first spacing element and a second spacing element, the first spacing element being configured to couple with the second spacing element;

wherein the first spacing element comprises a floor, the floor of the first spacing element being configured to allow the passage of oxygen; and

wherein the second spacing element is removable to leave a space in the first spacing element for receiving a sensing catalyst.