# US 11,439,316 B1 · Implantable resonator system for deep-tissue EPR oximetry with reduced noise > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,439,316 B1 - Document ID: US11439316B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/569,895 - Filed: 2022-01-06 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2022-01-06 - Assignees: Clin-Epr LLC - Applicants: Clin-EPR LLC - Inventors: Harold M. Swartz; Ann Barry Flood; Wilson Schreiber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11439316B1 ## CPC - A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging - G01R 33/3642: {Mutual coupling or decoupling of multiple coils, e.g. decoupling of a receive coil from a transmission coil, or intentional coupling of RF coils, e.g. for RF magnetic field amplification} - A61B 5/14503: {invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors (A61B5/1459, A61B5/1464, A61B5/1473, A61B5/1482, A61B5/14865 take precedence)} - A61B 5/14542: {for measuring blood gases (A61B5/14551 takes precedence)} - G01R 33/34007: {Manufacture of RF coils, e.g. using printed circuit board technology; additional hardware for providing mechanical support to the RF coil assembly or to part thereof, e.g. a support for moving the coil assembly relative to the remainder of the MR system} - G01R 33/34084: {implantable coils or coils being geometrically adaptable to the sample, e.g. flexible coils or coils comprising mutually movable parts} - G01R 33/60: using electron paramagnetic resonance (G01R33/24, G01R33/62 take precedence) - A61B 2562/16: Details of sensor housings or probes; Details of structural supports for sensors (A61B2560/0462 takes precedence) - A61B 2562/225: Connectors or couplings - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) ## Abstract The present invention relates to implantable resonator systems for deep-tissue EPR oximetry and methods of using thereof. The implantable resonator of the present disclosure includes a resonator with an implantable end, a transmission line, and an external end, wherein the external end further includes a coupling loop operably connected to a coupling device. The coupling device includes a clamping mechanism to ensure proper alignment of the coupling loop. The implantable resonator may be used to monitor a tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A resonator system operable for use in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) oximetry, the system comprising: a resonator having an implantable end, a transmission line, and an external end, the implantable end comprising a plurality of sensing loops comprising a plurality of sensors and the external end comprising a coupling loop operably connected to the plurality of sensing loops via the transmission line; and a spring-loaded clamping mechanism operable to couple the coupling loop to a resonator loop, the clamping mechanism comprising: the resonator loop operably connected to a spectrometer and operable to inductively connect to the coupling loop; a recessed circular pocket operable to receive the coupling loop; and one or more raised alignment guides to align the coupling loop and the resonator loop parallel to each other, wherein the implantable end is suitable for implantation within a tissue of a subject and the external end is operable to be located externally from the subject, and wherein the system produces a signal to noise ratio of greater than 1 when the resonator loop is inductively connected to the coupling loop. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more raised alignment guides comprise wires and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve surrounding the implantable end of the resonator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the spring-loaded clamping mechanism is configured to maintain a closed position without any input from an operator and comprises a tab operable to open the spring-loaded clamping mechanism. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the implantable end has a length of 1 cm to 25 cm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the clamping mechanism is operable to prevent misalignment of the resonator loop and the coupling loop. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device further comprises a feedback mechanism operable to indicate when the clamping mechanism is closed and the coupling loop is aligned with the resonator loop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the signal to noise ratio is 20 or greater. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method of monitoring the oxygen in a tissue, the method comprising: providing a system of claim 1; implanting the plurality of sensing loops of the resonator in the tissue; coupling the coupling loop to the resonator loop via the clamping mechanism of the coupling device; and measuring oxygenation of the tissue using EPR oximetry. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising decoupling the coupling loop of the resonator from the coupling device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the tissue is a tumor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the tumor is cancerous. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the tumor is selected from the group consisting of brain cancer, head and neck cancer, and cervical cancer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the tissue is monitored during a course of treatment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the course of treatment is selected from the group consisting of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising removing the resonator from the tissue after completion of the course of treatment. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the system produces reduced noise as compared to a system wherein the coupling loop is subcutaneously implanted in the subject. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the signal to noise ratio is 20 or greater.