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US 4,608,992 AGranted
External magnetic detection of physiopathological and other parameters
OwnerSalomon Hakim, Carlos A. Hakiminventors
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OwnerSalomon Hakim, Carlos A. Hakiminventors
Estimating the term…
A technique for transmitting from within the body information concerning an internal parameter (e.g., a measurement of a physiopathological parameter or a parameter generated by an implanted pacemaker), without physical connections to the implanted device, without an externally applied or internally generated electromagnetic field, and without implantation of radioactive material. The implanted device generates a magnetic field having an orientation influenced by changes in the internal parameter. The field is generated by one or more permanent magnets in the implanted device. The orientation of the field is detected externally using a viewer that provides a display indicative of the orientation. The display may provide an image of the magnetic field (e.g., a compass needle or magnetometer) that aligns itself with the field in a known manner. The magnetic field can be generated by a rotatable element on which are carried one or more permanent magnets (e.g., a disk of a magnetic alloy such as samarium cobalt on which has been impressed one or more magnetic regions). In some embodiments the image seen in the viewer is in the form of a pointer (e.g., an arrow) and is provided by implanted magnets that have a north/south boundary of the same shape. If the internal parameter is a fluid pressure, the implanted device may include a diaphragm manometer with a rotatable drum (e.g., rotated by levers connected to the diaphragm and arranged to pull a thread wrapped around the drum) on which is mounted the previously mentioned disk with impressed magnetic regions.
The method of transmitting from within the body information regarding an internal parameter, comprising the steps of
A surgically-implantable device for use as part of apparatus for transmitting from within the body information regarding an internal parameter, said device containing means for generating a magnetic field having a spatial orientation with respect to said device that is influenced by changes in said parameter, said means and device being adapted so that changes in the spatial orientation of said magnetic field with respect to said device are detectable outside of the body.
Apparatus for transmitting from within the body information regarding an internal parameter, comprising
The apparatus 33 wherein said parameter is the pressure difference across a cerebrospinal fluid shunt valve and wherein said implantion is a manometer connected in parallel with an implantion device said shunt valve.
The apparatus of claim 42 wherein said permanent magnets are supported on a member that is adapted to move under the influence of said parameter.
The method of measuring cerebrospinal fluid pressure comprising the steps of
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.