Hand held device for wireless powering and interrogation of biomems sensors and actuators

A method for obtaining at least one reading in a hand-held device from an implanted sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

• emitting a pulse from an external hand-held device within a predefined proximity to a receptor in an implanted sensor, wherein the pulse is used for at least interrogating the implanted sensor;
• powering the implanted sensor by inducing a voltage, via the pulse, in an inductor embedded in the implanted sensor;
• retrieving energy as a telemetry signal radiated by the inductor by an antenna in the hand-held device;
• and
• receiving data, by the antenna, from the implanted sensor for at least one of storage, display or analysis, wherein
• wherein the antenna is a multi-turn circular loop antenna whose impedance at approximately 330 MHz is matched to an input impedance from an amplifier in a receiver to increase sensitivity.

A hand-held device for wireless powering, interrogation and data retrieval from an implanted sensor, the hand-held device comprising:

• an antenna for powering an implanted sensor and for retrieving data from the implanted sensor to the hand-held device for at least one of storage, display or analysis, wherein an antenna assembly comprises an integrated amplifier to enable communications across predefined implant depths, integrated surface mount inductors for impedance tuning of the antenna and at least one signal processing mechanism,
• wherein the hand-held device establishes electromagnetic coupling at radio frequency with an inductor in the implanted sensor at a predefined separation and an antenna geometry allows for the antenna to power, interrogate and retrieve data from the implanted sensor, the hand-held device being at a predefined distance from a human body housing the implanted sensor, and
• wherein the hand-held device allows for activation of the implanted sensor only during interrogation and data retrieval, wherein
• wherein the antenna is a multi-turn circular loop antenna whose impedance at approximately 330 MHz is matched to an input impedance from an amplifier in a receiver to increase sensitivity.

A hand-held device for wireless powering, interrogation and data retrieval from an implanted sensor, the hand-held device comprising:

• a multi-turn loop antenna printed on a dielectric substrate for powering an implanted sensor, the antenna being used for retrieving data from the implanted sensor to the hand-held device for at least one of storage, display or analysis, wherein an antenna assembly comprises an integrated amplifier to enable communications across larger implant depths, integrated surface mount inductors for impedance tuning of the antenna and at least one signal processing mechanism,
• wherein the hand-held device establishes electromagnetic coupling at radio frequency with an inductor in the implanted sensor at a predefined separation and an antenna geometry allows for the antenna to power, interrogate and retrieve data from the implanted sensor, the hand-held device being at a predefined distance from a human body housing the implanted sensor, and
• wherein the hand-held device allows for activation of the implanted sensor only during interrogation and data retrieval, wherein
• wherein the antenna is a multi-turn circular loop antenna whose impedance at approximately 330 MHz is matched to an input impedance from an amplifier in a receiver to increase sensitivity.

An apparatus for obtaining at least one reading in a hand-held device from an implanted sensor, the apparatus comprising:

• emitting means for emitting a pulse from an external hand-held device within a predefined proximity to a receptor in an implanted sensor, wherein the pulse is used for at least interrogating the implanted sensor;
• powering means for powering the implanted sensor by inducing a voltage, via the pulse, in an inductor embedded in the implanted sensor;
• receiving means for receiving energy as a telemetry signal radiated by the inductor by an antenna in the hand-held device;
• and
• retrieving means for retrieving data, by the antenna, from the implanted sensor to the hand-held device for at least one of storage, display or analysis, wherein
• wherein the antenna is a multi-turn circular loop antenna whose impedance at approximately 330 MHz is matched to an input impedance from an amplifier in a receiver to increase sensitivity.