High Q factor sensor

• US 7,147,604 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2002
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: St. Jude Medical Luxembourg Holdings Ii S.A.R.L.
• Original Assignee: CardioMEMS Incorporated
• Inventors: Allen, Mark, White, Jason, Stern, David, Kroh, Jason, Fonseca, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/215,379
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 600/549, 600/374, 600/561, 600/300, 600/398, 600/405, 600/587, 607/103, 607/122, 244/134.F, 422/1, 422/28, 340/582, 340/870.16, 298/31, 438/53, 336/83, 336/200, 336/212, 336/218, 336/233, 356/477, 250/227.19, 385/12, 257/419, 257/254, 257/417, 324/655, 324/652, 324/653, 331/66
• US Class Current: 600/549
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0215 by means inserted into the body catheters A61M25/00

Abstract

A sensor for wirelessly determining a physical property within a defined space comprises an electrical resonance and has a high quality factor Q. The quality factor Q is sufficiently high that a signal generated by the sensor can be received outside the defined space. The sensor may optimally have a dielectric coating.

Claims

1. A sensor for in vivo use within the body of a patient, comprising:

a first substrate of polyimide, said first substrate having first and second sides;

a first inductor comprised of a conductive material and disposed on said first side of said first substrate;

a second substrate of polyimide, said second substrate having first and second sides;

a second inductor comprised of a conductive material and disposed on said first side of said second substrate;

said first and second substrates being disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation with said first sides of said substrates in apposition; and

an intermediate layer disposed between said first and second substrates and maintaining said first and second inductors in spaced-apart relation, said intermediate layer having an opening formed therein such that at least a portion of said first and second inductors are movable toward one another through said opening in response to a change in an external condition.

2. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said intermediate layer comprises an adhesive.

3. The sensor of claim 1, wherein said sensor is enveloped in silicone.

4. The sensor of claim 3, wherein said silicone is approximately 200 microns in thickness.

5. A sensor for in vivo use within the body of a patient, comprising:

a first substrate of liquid crystal polymer, said first substrate having first and second sides;

a first inductor comprised of a conductive material and disposed on said first side of said first substrate;

a second substrate of liquid crystal polymer, said second substrate having first and second sides;

a second inductor comprised of a conductive material and disposed on said first side of said second substrate;

said first and second substrates being disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation with said first sides of said substrates in apposition; and

an intermediate layer disposed between said first and second substrates and maintaining said first and second inductors in spaced-apart relation, said intermediate layer having an opening formed therein such that at least a portion of said first and second inductors are movable toward one another through said opening in response to a change in an external condition.

6. The sensor of claim 5, wherein said intermediate layer comprises a liquid crystal polymer.

7. The sensor of claim 5, wherein said sensor is enveloped in silicone.

8. The sensor of claim 7, wherein said silicone is approximately 200 microns in thickness.