Implantable, retrievable, thrombus minimizing sensors
OwnerJames H. Silver, Darius Fredrick Mostowfiinventors
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Abstract
A sensor is disclosed, for implantation within a blood vessel to monitor a substance in or property of blood. In one embodiment, the sensor is retrievable. In another embodiment, the sensor has a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus. A signal representative of the substance in or property of blood is transmitted to an external receiver. In another embodiment, the sensor detects nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite and can be implanted for a period of hours, days, weeks or years. Methods are also disclosed.
Claims48
A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel, comprising:
- a support, having a first side for contacting the wall of the vessel and a second side for facing radially inwardly toward the center of the vessel;
- and
- a sensor carried by the support and having a sensing surface thereon;
- wherein the sensing surface is spaced radially inwardly from the first side and wherein the sensing surface includes a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus.
A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel comprising:
- a support structure;
- a sensor housing carried by the support structure;
- and
- a sensing surface exposed to the exterior of the housing;
- wherein the sensor is configured to detect nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite, and wherein the sensor can be implanted for a period of at least one week.
A method of retrieving an implantable sensor on a support comprising:
- positioning a catheter with a first clip so that the first clip is adjacent to the sensor;
- inflating a first balloon attached to the catheter so that the first clip is forced around the sensor;
- deflating the first balloon;
- inflating a second balloon so that the sensor is separated from the support;
- and
- deflating the second balloon.
A method of minimizing thrombus formation on an implantable sensor, comprising:
- providing a sensor having a sensing surface thereon, wherein the sensor is adapted for implantation,
- providing a coating on the sensing surface to minimize the formation of thrombus compared to the amount of thrombus that would have accumulated in the absence of the coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.