# US 11,432,731 B2 · Ultra-low profile wireless flow sensors to monitor hemodynamic alterations in the vascular system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,432,731 B2 - Document ID: US11432731B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/303,190 - Filed: 2017-05-26 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Granted: 2022-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-05-27 - Assignees: University of Pittsburgh—Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education; Virginia Commonwealth University - Applicants: University of Pittsburgh-Of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education; Virginia Commonwealth University - Inventors: Young Jae Chun; Brian T. Jankowitz; Sung Kwon Cho; Yanfei Chen; Woon-Hong Yeo; Yongkuk Lee; Connor Howe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11432731B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/026: Measuring blood flow {(A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence)} - A61B 5/0002: {Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network (endoradiosondes A61B5/07)} - A61B 5/021: Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels - A61B 5/6852: {Catheters} - A61B 5/6862: {Stents} - A61B 2562/12: Manufacturing methods specially adapted for producing sensors for in-vivo measurements - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract The invention relates to endovascular medical implant devices, systems and methods that including a sensing device and a flow diverter device, which are effective to monitor intra-/post-operative hemodynamic properties in the location of a cerebral aneurysm and, hemodynamic alterations following placement of the system for treating ischemic diseases in carotid, coronary and peripheral arteries. The sensing device includes wireless, non-thrombogenic, highly stretchable, ultra-low profile flow sensors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An endovascular medical implant system positioned in a vascular system of a patient, comprising: a flow diverting device, comprising a thin film nitinol; and a wireless, non-thrombogenic, highly stretchable, ultra-low profile, microflow capacitive sensor component, comprising: a first metallic layer comprising an etched overall pattern, connected to at least a portion of the flow diverting device; a dielectric elastomer layer deposited on the first metallic layer; and a second metallic layer comprising an etched overall pattern, deposited on the dielectric elastomer layer, wherein the first metallic layer, the dielectric elastomer layer and the second metallic layer are in a stacked configuration, and wherein the capacitive sensor component is structured to produce a capacitive change when the capacitive sensor component is deflected by a flow of blood and the dielectric elastomer layer is deformed, and structured to measure a flow rate of the blood. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second metallic layers is selected from the group consisting of gold, magnesium, nitinol and blends thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the flow diverting device comprises: a framework composed of a biocompatible material; and a cover composed of the thin film nitinol that is attached to at least a portion of the framework. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the dielectric elastomer is polydimethylsiloxane. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the flow diverting device is selected from the group consisting of a coil and a stent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the flow diverting device is composed of a polymer. ### Claim 7 The system of claim4 1 wherein the etched overall pattern is a meandering curved mesh pattern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter device, a flexible antenna and an external data receiver device, to continually transfer data through the antenna to the receiver device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor component has a stacked configuration, comprising: a carrying substrate; a polymer deposited on the carrying substrate; polyimide deposited on the polymer; the first metallic layer deposited on the polyimide, having an etched pattern; the dielectric elastomer deposited on the first metallic layer; the second metallic layer deposited on the dielectric elastomer, having an etched pattern; and an encapsulate elastomer deposited as a final layer. ### Claim 10 A method of measuring blood flow in a vascular system of a patient body, comprising: forming an integrated sensor and flow diverter, comprising: fabricating a flow diverter, comprising: forming a framework having a surface and composed of a biocompatible material; and connecting a thin film nitinol cover to at least a portion of the surface of the framework; fabricating a microflow sensor component, comprising: forming a first metallic layer comprising an etched overall pattern; connecting the first metallic layer to at least a portion of the flow diverting device; depositing a dielectric elastomer on the first metallic layer; and depositing a second metallic layer on the dielectric elastomer comprising an etched overall pattern; connecting the microflow sensor component to at least a portion of the flow diverter to form the integrated sensor and flow diverter, wherein the first metallic layer, the dielectric elastomer and the second metallic layer are in a stacked configuration; deploying the integrated sensor and flow diverter in the patient body to a target site; deflecting the microflow sensor component with a flow of blood and deforming the dielectric elastomer layer, resulting in the microflow sensor component producing a capacitive change and measuring a flow rate of the blood; and transferring data in real time from the integrated sensor and flow diverter to an external data receiving device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising etching the first metallic layer and the second metallic layer to form an overall pattern. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the deploying of the integrated sensor and flow diverter is achieved by employing a microdelivery catheter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the target site is in an aneurysm or in a blood vessel adjacent the aneurysm.