Bio-adaptable implantable sensor apparatus and methods

An implantable analyte sensor, comprising:

• a biocompatible housing having a size and shape suitable for implantation in a body;
• a plurality of analyte detectors;
• circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of detectors and configured to process at least a portion of signals generated by one or more of said detectors to produce processed signals;
• data transmission apparatus configured to transmit at least a portion of said processed signals to a receiver when the implanted sensor is disposed in a tissue environment within said body;
• and
• an electrical power source operatively coupled to at least the circuitry and data transmission apparatus and configured to provide electrical power thereto;
• and
• wherein said sensor is configured to not stimulate blood vessel vascularization at least proximate to said plurality of detectors, yet permit diffusion of said analyte into said plurality of detectors.

An implantable analyte sensor, comprising:

• a biocompatible housing having a size and shape suitable for implantation in a body;
• a plurality of analyte detectors;
• circuitry operatively connected to the plurality of detectors and configured to process at least a portion of signals generated by one or more of said detectors to produce processed signals;
• data transmission apparatus configured to transmit at least a portion of said processed signals when the implanted sensor is disposed in a tissue environment within said body;
• and
• an electrical power source operatively coupled to at least the circuitry and data transmission apparatus and configured to provide electrical power thereto;
• and
• wherein said circuitry is configured such that at least a portion of said plurality of detectors are able to adapt for variations in a biophysical interface between said detectors and biological tissue of the body over time, said variations caused at least in part by biological processes within said body.

A method of maintaining a position and orientation of an implantable sensor within a living host while also maintaining its operability, the sensor comprising a sensing feature, the method comprising:

• implanting the sensor within a location of the host;
• enabling a tissue response to said implanted sensor such that tissue of the host proximate the implanted sensor substantially interlocks with said sensing feature;
• and
• frustrating vascularization of said tissue into said sensing feature;
• wherein said substantial interlock with said sensing feature provides mechanical stability to said sensor so as to maintain said position and orientation.

A method of configuring an implantable sensing device so as to provide a substantially constant interface between one or more sensing elements of the sensing device and surrounding vasculature of a living host in which the device is ultimately implanted, the one or more sensing devices each comprising respective one or more outer membranes, the method comprising:

• configuring the sensing device to facilitate contact of the respective one or more outer membranes with the surrounding vasculature when the device is implanted, the facilitating contact comprising, for each respective sensing element:
• (i) enabling tissue response by the living host to substantially cover or encase at least a portion of the at least one outer membrane such that relative motion between the one or more sensing elements and the surrounding vasculature is mitigated;
• and
• (ii) avoiding vascularization by the surrounding vasculature into the at least one outer membrane.

A surgical method, comprising:

• implanting a sensor apparatus having a sensing region configuration in a living subject, said sensor apparatus configured to mitigate adhesion of the tissue to the sensing region resulting from a body response;
• and
• substantially immobilizing said sensor apparatus within said living subject as part of said implanting;
• and
• wherein said implanting and immobilizing enable creation of a topological imprint feature in three dimensions, said imprint feature and said mitigated adhesion cooperating to enable subsequent explanting of the sensor apparatus and implanting a replacement sensor apparatus having a substantially similar sensing region configuration utilizing the same imprint feature for the sensing region thereof.