Implantable Sensors for Vascular Monitoring

An implantable sensor for implantation in a vessel, comprising:

• a plurality of electrodes for placement on, in or adjacent a vessel wall;
• means for providing a drive signal to the electrodes;
• means for measuring at least one of impedance and capacitance between at least two of the plurality of electrodes;
• means for wirelessly communicating data from the sensor,
• wherein at least part of the sensor is configured to endothelialize on a vessel wall, and at least one electrode has an anti-fouling surface to prevent endothelialization on a vessel wall.

A vascular monitoring method, comprising:

• implanting a plurality of pairs of electrodes within a vessel, on, in or adjacent a vessel wall;
• providing a drive signal to the electrodes;
• measuring at least one of impedance and capacitance between at least two of the plurality of pairs of electrodes;
• wirelessly communicating data from within the vessel;
• wirelessly transmitting data representing measured impedance or capacitance to a control system comprising a processor and memory;
• and
• determining vessel collapsibility or deformity over at least one respiratory cycle based on said measured impedance or capacitance between electrode pairs with steps executed on the processor.

A sensor system for monitoring parameters in a vessel, comprising:

• an implantable support structure configured to move with natural movement of the vessel wall;
• a plurality of pairs of electrodes coupled to the support structure and configured to be positioned circumferentially spaced around the vessel interior on, in or adjacent a wall of the vessel so as to move with natural movement of the vessel wall when the support structure moves therewith;
• a drive circuit configured to provide a drive signal to the electrodes;
• measurement circuitry configured to measure at least one of impedance and capacitance between at least two of the plurality of pairs of electrodes;
• and
• a communications circuit configured to wirelessly communicate data from the sensor.

An implantable sensor system for monitoring area of elliptical vessels, comprising:

• an implantable sensor comprising a plurality of electrodes for placement on, in or adjacent a vessel wall;
• means for providing a drive signal to the electrodes;
• means for measuring at least one of impedance and capacitance between the plurality of electrodes;
• and
• means for determining the elliptical area of the vessel based on said impedance or capacitance measurements between the plurality of electrodes.