# US 11,026,614 B2 · Pressure sensor > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,026,614 B2 - Document ID: US11026614B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/736,682 - Filed: 2016-06-15 - Published: 2018-08-02 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-15 - Assignees: Aukland Uniservices Limited - Applicants: Auckland UniServices Limited - Inventors: Poul Michael Fonss Nielsen; Jennifer Ann Kruger; David Mortimer Budgett; Andrew James Taberner; John Daniel McCormick - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026614B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/205: {Determining bladder or urethral pressure} - A61B 5/002: {Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building (A61B5/0017 takes precedence)} - A61B 5/036: {by means introduced into body tracts (A61B5/032 and A61B5/035 take precedence)} - A61B 5/4337: {of the vagina} - A61B 5/486: {Biofeedback (using electroencephalography [EEG] A61B5/375)} - A61B 5/6879: {Means for maintaining contact with the body (A61B5/6847 takes precedence)} - A61B 2562/0247: Pressure sensors - A61B 2562/043: in a linear array - A61B 2562/164: the sensor is mounted in or on a conformable substrate or carrier - A61B 2562/168: Fluid filled sensor housings - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A pressure sensor apparatus includes: a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided along a longitudinal dimension of the apparatus, and a pressure sensor device provided in each chamber which together provide a pressure profile in an anatomical cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pressure sensor apparatus comprising: an elongate body configured for anatomical cavity applications comprising a planar flexible substructure having a plurality of openings or pockets; at least one membrane molded directly to the planar flexible substructure and provided over each opening or pocket to provide a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided successively along the elongate body; a pressure sensor device provided in each pressure responsive chamber; wherein each pressure responsive chamber comprises at least one pressure-transmitting wall formed by the at least one membrane, and the planar flexible substructure provides a pressure resistant barrier between adjacent chambers to mechanically isolate each of the plurality of pressure responsive chambers; and a data transfer apparatus configured to provide data from each pressure sensor device to allow simultaneous measurement of abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of pressure responsive chambers is provided along a longitudinal dimension of the elongate body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure resistant barrier is sufficient to substantially prevent pressure changes in one chamber affecting pressure in the adjacent chamber. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each pressure responsive chamber is filled with a fluid whereby the pressure sensor device senses a pressure of the fluid in the pressure responsive chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fluid comprises air. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data transfer apparatus provides a sensed pressure from each pressure sensor device to a display apparatus. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the data transfer apparatus comprises a transmitter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed claim 1 further comprising a retention contour for retaining the apparatus in the anatomical cavity in use. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retention contour extends substantially transversely. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the retention contour comprises one or more ribs or wings dependent from the elongate body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is used as an intra-abdominal pressure sensing device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus is used as an intra-vaginal device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor devices are mounted on a flexible printed circuit board. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pressure sensor devices comprise an array and the array has a maximum width of 20 mm. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are at least six pressure responsive chambers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The pressure sensor apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein there are eight pressure responsive chambers. ### Claim 17 A method for monitoring a female subject with a pelvic floor disorder comprising: (a) inserting into the subject's vagina a device comprising: an elongate body comprising a planar flexible substructure having a plurality of openings or pockets; at least one membrane molded directly to the planar flexible substructure and provided over each opening or pocket to provide a plurality of pressure responsive chambers provided successively along the elongate body, wherein each pressure responsive chamber comprises at least one pressure-transmitting wall formed by the at least one membrane, and the planar flexible substructure provides a pressure resistant barrier between adjacent chambers to mechanically isolate each of the plurality of pressure responsive chambers; and a pressure sensor provided in each pressure responsive chamber; (b) providing pressure data detected by the pressure sensors to a display device located exteriorly of the subject's vagina during performance of a pelvic floor exercise; (c) displaying on the display device a visual representation of the pressure data during the performance of the pelvic floor exercise by the subject. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising (d) recording the pressure data. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18 further comprising using the pressure data to simultaneously measure or record abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising using the pressure data to simultaneously measure or record abdominal pressure and pelvic floor pressure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 further comprising providing biofeedback to the subject via the display device. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising repeating steps (b) and (c). ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The method as claimed in claim 17 further comprising performing the method under different conditions imposed on the subject's vagina.