# US 7,181,261 B2 · Implantable, retrievable, thrombus minimizing sensors > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,181,261 B2 - Document ID: US7181261B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/758,495 - Filed: 2004-01-15 - Published: 2004-09-09 - Granted: 2007-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2000-05-15 - Inventors: James H. Silver; Darius Fredrick Mostowfi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7181261B2 ## CPC - A61B 5/14865: {invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter or needle or using implanted sensors} - A61B 5/0031: {Implanted circuitry} - A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement} - A61B 5/6862: {Stents} - A61B 5/6876: {Blood vessel} - A61B 2560/0219: of externally powered implanted units - A61B 2562/187: Strain relief means - A61F 2/91: made from perforated sheets or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A sensor is disclosed, for implantation within a blood vessel to monitor a substance in or property of blood. In one embodiment, the sensor is retrievable. In another embodiment, the sensor has a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus. A signal representative of the substance in or property of blood is transmitted to an external receiver. In another embodiment, the sensor detects nitric oxide or a nitric oxide metabolite and can be implanted for a period of hours, days, weeks or years. Methods are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel comprising: a support structure; a sensor housing carried by the support structure; and a sensing surface exposed to the exterior of the housing; wherein the sensor is configured to detect nitric oxide or a metabolic of nitric oxide, and wherein the sensor has streamlined configuration with respect to the support, and wherein the sensing surface includes a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a stent. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a catheter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises an expandable metal mesh. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor housing is positioned on the luminal side of the support structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor housing is positioned within an opening on the side wall of the support structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, further comprising a tubular sleeve surrounding the support structure. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An implantable sensor as in claim 7, wherein the tubular sleeve is on the radially outwardly facing surface of the support structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An implantable sensor as in claim 7, wherein the tubular sleeve comprises ePTFE. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an ion-selective electrode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of amperometric electrodes, porphyrinic electrodes, and microchip electrodes. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An implantable sensor as in claim 1, further containing an analyte permeable membrane and an enzyme gel layer. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) An implantable sensor as in claim 12, wherein the enzyme gel layer comprises nitrate reductase. ### Claim 14 A sensor for implantation within a blood vessel comprising: a support structure; a sensor housing carried by the support structure; and a sensing surface exposed to the exterior of the housing and wherein the sensing surface includes a layer that minimizes the formation of thrombus; wherein the sensor is configured to detect a metabolic product of nitric oxide. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the support structure comprises a stent. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the support structure comprises a catheter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the support structure comprises an expandable metal mesh. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the sensor housing is positioned on the luminal side of the support structure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the sensor housing is positioned within an opening on the side wall of the support structure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, further comprising a tubular sleeve surrounding the support structure. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An implantable sensor as in claim 20, wherein the tubular sleeve is on the radially outwardly facing surface of the support structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) An implantable sensor as in claim 20, wherein the tubular sleeve comprises ePTFE. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises an ion-selective electrode. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, wherein the sensor is selected from the group consisting of amperometric electrodes, porphyrinic electrodes, and microchip electrodes. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) An implantable sensor as in claim 14, further containing an analyte permeable membrane and an enzyme gel layer. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An implantable sensor as in claim 25, wherein the enzyme gel layer comprises nitrate reductase.