System for anchoring an implantable sensor in a vessel

• US 8,204,599 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Issued: 06/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Liao, Wangcai, Mi, Bin, Salo, Rodney W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haq, Shafiqul
• Application Number:
  US12/103,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20080275350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,525 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 607/44
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02152 specially adapted for venous pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6862 Stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6876 Blood vessel
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6882 Anchoring means

Abstract

A system and a method of disposing a second sensor module overlying a first sensor module system is described. A first assembly including an expandable anchor and a sensor module is at least partially overlapped by a second assembly including an expandable anchor and a sensor module. If necessary or desired, the functions of the second sensor module can replace the functions of the first sensor module. The sensor module may include a blood pressure sensor.

Claims

1. A method of overlapping a first assembly including a first expandable anchor coupled to a first sensor module with a second assembly including a second expandable anchor coupled to a second sensor module within an artery or blood vessel, each of the first and second expandable anchors being configured for transition between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the method comprising:

locating a position of the first assembly at a target location within the artery or blood vessel;

delivering the second assembly with the second expandable anchor in its collapsed configuration to a position proximate the target location within the artery or blood vessel;

positioning the second assembly within the first assembly such that the first expandable anchor at least partially overlaps the second expandable anchor; and

expanding the second expandable anchor to its expanded configuration.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising aligning a first alignment feature located on the first anchor with a second alignment feature located on the second anchor.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the position of the second sensor module assembly.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising deactivating the first sensor module.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising activating the second sensor module.

6. A method of overlapping a first assembly including an expandable first anchor coupled to a first sensor module with a second assembly including a second expandable anchor coupled to a second sensor module within an artery or blood vessel, each of the first and second expandable anchors being configured for transition between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the method comprising:

locating and evaluating functionality of the first sensor module, the expandable first anchor having been previously expanded to its expanded configuration within the artery or blood vessel;

delivering the second assembly with the second expandable anchor in its collapsed configuration to a location proximate the first assembly within the artery or blood vessel;

positioning the second assembly within the first assembly within the artery or blood vessel such that the first expandable anchor at least partially overlaps the second expandable anchor; and

expanding the second expandable anchor to its expanded configuration.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising aligning a first alignment feature located on the first anchor with a second alignment feature located on the second anchor.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising adjusting the position of the second sensor module assembly.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising deactivating the first sensor module.

10. The method of claim 6, further comprising activating the second sensor module.