Pressure-sensing stent
AssigneeBiosense, Inc.
InventorsAssaf Govari, Maier Fenster
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Implantable apparatus for measuring a fluid flow in the body of a subject, including a stent, having a generally cylindrical radial outer wall and a central lumen. A flow parameter sensor is fixed to the stent, and measures a parameter relating to a rate of blood flow through the stent. A transmitter transmits signals responsive to the measured parameter to a receiver outside the body.
Claims24
Implantable apparatus for measuring a fluid flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- a stent, having a generally cylindrical radial outer wall and a central lumen;
- a flow parameter sensor fixed to the stent, which measures a parameter relating to a rate of blood flow through the stent;
- and
- a transmitter, which transmits signals responsive to the measured parameter to a receiver outside the body;
- and
- wherein the transmitter comprises a coil fixed to the stent.
Implantable apparatus for measuring a fluid flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- a stent, having a generally cylindrical radial outer wall and a central lumen;
- a flow parameter sensor fixed to the stent, which measures a parameter relating to a rate of blood flow through the stent;
- a transmitter, which transmits signals responsive to the measured parameter to a receiver outside the body;
- and
- wherein the flow parameter sensor comprises:
- a flexible diaphragm, fixed within the outer wall of the stent so as to expand radially outward in response to a pressure increase in the lumen;
- and
- a deflection sensor, which generates signals responsive to expansion of the diaphragm.
Implantable apparatus for measuring a fluid flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- a stent, having a generally cylindrical radial outer wall and a central lumen;
- a flow parameter sensor fixed to the stent, which measures a parameter relating to a rate of blood flow through the stent;
- a transmitter, which transmits signals responsive to the measured parameter to a receiver outside the body;
- and
- wherein the transmitter comprises:
- the electrical coil;
- and
- circuitry coupled to the coil, having a resonant frequency dependent on the inductance of the coil,
- circuitry coupled to the coil, having a resonant frequency dependent on the inductance of the coil,
- wherein the coil receives energy from an electromagnetic field and radiates energy substantially at the resonant frequency.
Implantable apparatus for measuring a fluid flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- a stent, having a generally cylindrical radial outer wall and a central lumen;
- a flow parameter sensor fixed to the stent, which measures a parameter relating to a rate of blood flow through the stent;
- and
- a transmitter, which transmits signals responsive to the measured parameter to a receiver outside the body;
- and
- comprising an implantable capsule, which supplies energy to the flow parameter sensor.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising irradiating the body with an electromagnetic field, to provide energy to the stent.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising receiving an ECG signal from the subject, and using the ECG signal in analyzing the blood flow signals received from the transmitter.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising:
- applying a magnetic field to the body in a vicinity of the stent, in a direction generally transverse to the flow of blood through the stent;
- and
- measuring an electrical potential across the stent, along a transverse axis thereof generally perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field,
- wherein receiving signals from the transmitter comprises receiving signals responsive to the electrical potential.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising measuring a bioimpedance across the stent, wherein receiving signals from the transmitter comprises receiving signals responsive to the bioimpedance.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising measuring a pressure in the stent, wherein receiving signals from the transmitter comprises receiving signals responsive to the pressure.
A method for measuring blood flow in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting a stent, to which a transmitter is coupled, in a blood vessel in the body;
- receiving signals from the transmitter, responsive to blood flow through the stent;
- and
- comprising detecting ultrasonic signals from blood flowing in the stent, wherein receiving signals from the transmitter comprises receiving signals responsive to the detected ultrasonic signals.
A method for measuring blood flow in a stent implanted in a blood vessel in the body of a subject, comprising:
- implanting two ultrasound markers along the blood vessel, each marker in a known spatial relation to a respective end of the stent;
- determining respective positions of the markers relative to an ultrasound probe;
- aligning the probe with a long axis of the stent using the determined positions of the markers;
- and
- receiving and analyzing Doppler ultrasound signals from blood flowing in the stent.
A method for fabricating a stent, comprising:
- forming at least a portion of the stent from non-conducting material;
- fixing electronic components to the portion;
- and
- printing strips of conducting material on a surface of the portion to interconnect the components.
A stent, at least a portion of which comprises non-conducting material, and comprising:
- a plurality of electronic components fixed to the portion;
- and
- one or more strips of conducting material printed on a surface of the portion to interconnect the components.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.