# US 10,499,822 B2 · Methods and systems relating to biological systems with embedded mems sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,499,822 B2 - Document ID: US10499822B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/707,329 - Filed: 2015-05-08 - Published: 2015-12-10 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-09 - Assignees: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/Mcgill University - Applicants: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning / McGill University - Inventors: Edward Harvey; Vamsy Chodavarapu; Charles Allan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10499822B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/03: Measuring fluid pressure within the body other than blood pressure, e.g. cerebral pressure {; Measuring pressure in body tissues or organs (determining bladder or urethral pressure A61B5/205)} - A61B 5/076: {Permanent implantation} - A61B 5/686: {Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips (A61B5/6861 takes precedence)} - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - A61B 2562/028: Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS] - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Small implantable silicon-based devices offer an ability to revolutionize the management of trauma victims. For example, implantable pressure sensors allow the devastating outcomes of compartment syndrome to be minimized through continuous or periodic monitoring whilst being compatible with the ongoing drives to increase out-patient care and reduced hospitalization time. Further, small implantable silicon-based sensor microsystems according to embodiments of the invention whilst being capable of measuring pressures under diverse conditions are easily used by nurses in hospital settings as well as also being easily deployed by paramedical personnel in cases of accidents, natural disasters, war, etc. Beneficially, the implantable sensor microsystem will not interfere with movement of the patient during stabilization, surgery, intensive care stay, outpatient management, etc. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure sensor device at least partially implantable into a body, comprising: a flexible circuit having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the flexible circuit being provided with at least one opening extending between the first surface and the second surface; an antenna for at least transmitting data; at least one pressure sensor mounted on the first surface of flexible circuit over a respective one of the at least one opening of the flexible circuit for measuring a pressure within the body, the measured pressure being coupled to the at least one pressure sensor through the respective one of the at least one opening of the flexible circuit; a wireless interface circuit connected to the antenna and the at least one pressure sensor, the wireless interface circuit for transmitting a signal indicative of the measured pressure via the antenna; an encapsulant deposited over at least a portion of the at least one pressure sensor and a portion of the flexible circuit including the first surface and excluding the second surface of the flexible circuit; and a flexible coating encapsulating at least the at least one pressure sensor and the encapsulant. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface circuit is adapted to convert an incoming wireless signal received by the antenna into electrical power for powering the pressure sensor device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, further comprising a battery for powering the pressure sensor device. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises at least one pressure sensing element and at least one reference pressure element, and the measured pressure corresponds to an absolute pressure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pressure sensor device of claim 4, wherein the absolute pressure is determined based upon the capacitances of the at least one pressure sensing element and the at least one reference pressure element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the at least one opening is filled with the flexible coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant comprises a biocompatible material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the encapsulant is made of one of an epoxy and a thermoplastic adhesive. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the at least one pressure sensor comprises at least one microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) pressure sensor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit is made of a polyimide material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the flexible coating is biocompatible and made of an elastomer material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pressure sensor device of claim 11, wherein the elastomer material comprises polyether ether ketone (PEEK). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the antenna and the wireless interface circuit are mounted on the flexible circuit. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The pressure sensor device of claim 13, wherein the flexible coating further encapsulates the antenna and the wireless interface circuit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, comprising a first portion and a second portion, the flexible coating encapsulating only the first portion, the first portion comprising the at least one pressure sensor, the encapsulant and the flexible circuit and the second portion comprising the antenna and the wireless interface circuit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The pressure sensor device of claim 15, further comprising a tail comprising electrical connections for connecting together the first and second portions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, further comprising a layer of silicone gel located between the at least one pressure sensor and the flexible coating. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the antenna is operable over a predetermined wireless frequency range which is compatible with a wireless system operating according to a predetermined standard, the predetermined standard being at least one of radio frequency identification and near field communication. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein the wireless interface circuit is further adapted to transmit, along with the measured pressure, a unique identification code for the pressure sensor device stored within the wireless interface circuit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor device of claim 1, wherein a thickness over the at least one pressure sensor is below a predetermined thickness to reduce a responsivity of the at least one pressure sensor by a predetermined amount relative to an unencapsulated pressure sensor.