Enhanced biologically based chronotropic biosensing

An implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensor comprising:

• tissue or cells capable of carrying out a physiological or pathophysiological function, wherein the tissue or cells can be coupled via an electrical interface to endogenous tissue or cells, and wherein the biosensor may be used to monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with an endogenous physiological or pathophysiological function in a mammalian subject.

A method for monitoring a physiological or pathophysiological function of a subject, said method comprising:

• placing into a site within a subject isolated tissue or cells wherein the site can be distant from an endogenous site of the physiological or pathophysiological function within the subject, and wherein the tissue or cells may be used to monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the endogenous site of the physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject, and;
• monitoring the physiological or pathophysiological function of the exogenous tissue or cells placed therein.

A method of regulating output of a signal, substance, or action in a subject, said method comprising:

• placing within the subject, exogenous tissue or cells capable of carrying out a physiological or pathophysiological function, wherein the exogenous tissue or cells can be used to monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function;
• coupling the exogenous tissue or cells to an interventional device or a delivery device;
• and regulating the output of a signal, substance, or action from the interventional device or delivery device in response to the physiological or pathophysiological function of the exogenous tissue or cells.

A system for controlling heart function comprising:

• exogenous tissue or cells that can be placed within a subject;
• and an electrical connection that can be placed between the exogenous tissue or cells and a natural pacemaker region of the subject's heart, wherein the exogenous tissue or cells are capable of carrying out a physiological or pathophysiological function and may be used to monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with a physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject's heart.

An implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensor comprising genetically modified cells that can be coupled via an electrical interface to an electronic measuring device or an electronic amplifying device, wherein the genetically modified cells can be implanted into a mammalian subject at a site distant from a natural site for a physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject, and wherein the genetically modified cells monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject.

An implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensor comprising:

• genetically modified cells that can be coupled via an electrical interface to endogenous tissue or cells, wherein the genetically engineered cells can be implanted into a mammalian subject at a site distant from a natural site for a physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject, and wherein the genetically modified cells monitor or modulate a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject.

An implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensor comprising in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells that can be coupled via an electrical interface to an electronic measuring device or an electronic amplifying device, wherein the in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells can be implanted into a mammalian subject at a site distant from a natural site for a physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject, and wherein the in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells monitor a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject.

An implantable physiological or pathophysiological biosensor comprising:

• in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells that can be coupled via an electrical interface to endogenous tissue or cells, wherein the in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells can be implanted into a mammalian subject at a site distant from a natural site for a physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject, and wherein the in vitro or ex vivo modified stem cells monitor or modulate a chemical, physiological or pathophysiological variable associated with the physiological or pathophysiological function of the subject.