# US 8,540,631 B2 · Apparatus and methods using acoustic telemetry for intrabody communications > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,631 B2 - Document ID: US8540631B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/680,529 - Filed: 2007-02-28 - Published: 2007-06-21 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2003-04-14 - Assignees: Remon Medical Technologies, Ltd. - Applicants: Avi Penner; Eyal Doron - Inventors: Avi Penner; Eyal Doron - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540631B2 ## CPC - A61N 1/37217: {characterised by the communication link, e.g. acoustic or tactile} - A61B 5/0028: {Body tissue as transmission medium, i.e. transmission systems where the medium is the human body} - A61B 5/0031: {Implanted circuitry} - A61B 5/0215: by means inserted into the body - A61B 5/14532: {for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement} - A61B 5/4839: {combined with drug delivery} - A61M 5/14276: {specially adapted for implantation} - A61M 5/1723: {using feedback of body parameters, e.g. blood sugar or pressure} - A61N 1/37288: {Communication to several implantable medical devices within one patient} - A61B 5/0008: {Temperature signals} - A61B 5/026: Measuring blood flow {(A61B3/1233, A61B3/1241 take precedence)} - A61B 5/031: {Intracranial pressure} - A61B 5/14539: {for measuring pH} - A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue} - A61B 2560/0214: of power generation or supply - A61B 2560/0257: using atmospheric pressure - A61M 2205/3507: with implanted devices, e.g. external control - A61N 1/378: Electrical supply - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Systems and methods provide intrabody communication using acoustic telemetry. The system includes a first or control implant including a first acoustic transducer, and a second implant including a switch and a second acoustic transducer coupled to the switch. The second acoustic transducer receives acoustic signals from the first acoustic transducer for closing the switch to activate the second implant. The second implant may include a sensor for measuring a physiological parameter that is transmitted using acoustic signals including the physiological data to the first implant. For example, the second implant may measure pressure in the patient's heart that may be used by the first implant to control a pacemaker. Alternatively, the second implant may blood sugar concentration that may be used by the first implant to control an insulin pump. Alternatively, the first implant may store and transfer the data to an external device for monitoring the patient. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for communicating within a patient's body, comprising: at least one implantable sensor adapted to be placed within a blood vessel of a patient, the at least one implantable sensor including an electrical energy source and an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with a receiver, wherein the at least one implantable sensor further includes an acoustic switch circuit that is configured to activate the at least one implantable sensor in response to receiving an acoustic signal from an acoustic energy source, wherein the acoustic signal causes the acoustic transducer to form a voltage pulse that is conveyed to the acoustic switch circuit, and wherein the acoustic switch circuit closes, when the voltage pulse exceeds a threshold, to allow current to flow from the electrical energy source, thereby activating the at least one implantable sensor; a control implant adapted to be implanted in the patient, the control implant including an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with the at least one implantable sensor; and wherein the at least one implantable sensor is coupled to a fixation element adapted to secure the sensor within the blood vessel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one implantable sensor includes an actuator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one implantable sensor includes one or more sensors each adapted to measure a physiological parameter within the body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more sensors includes a pressure sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is an external receiver located outside of the body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the control implant further includes a transmitter and/or receiver for communicating with one or more external devices in communication with the control implant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic energy source is the control implant. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic energy source is an external device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the fixation element is a stent. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic transducer for the control implant is coupled to a lead. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the acoustic transducer for the control implant is coupled to a control housing of the control implant. ### Claim 12 A system for communicating within a patient's body, comprising: at least one implantable sensor adapted to be placed within a blood vessel of a patient, the at least one implantable sensor including an electrical energy source, electrical circuitry configured to control an operation of the at least one implantable sensor, and an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with a receiver, wherein the at least one implantable sensor further includes an acoustic switch that is configured to allow an electrical current to flow from the energy source to the electrical circuitry in response to receiving an acoustic signal, thereby activating the at least one implantable sensor; and a control implant adapted to be implanted in the patient, the control implant including an acoustic transducer configured for acoustic communication with the at least one implantable sensor.