Intraocular pressure sensing devices and associated systems and methods
AssigneeUniversity of Washington
InventorsCagdas Varel, Tueng T. Shen, Karl F. Bohringer, Brian Otis, Buddy D. Ratner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present technology relates generally to intraocular pressure (“IOP”) monitoring systems and associated devices and methods. In some embodiments, an intraocular pressure monitoring system configured in accordance with the technology comprises an implantable intraocular assembly and an external unit configured to transmit power to and receive data from the intraocular assembly. The intraocular assembly can include an IOP sensing device embedded within a flexible, expandable annular member. The IOP sensing device can include an antenna, a pressure sensor, and a microelectronic device encapsulated by an elastomer.
Claims18
An intraocular pressure (“IOP”) monitoring system, the IOP system comprising:
- an implantable intraocular assembly configured to be positioned within a capsular bag of a human eye, the assembly including
- an annular member;
- an IOP sensing device embedded within the annular member, the IOP sensing device comprising a microelectronic device having memory and processing circuitry, a pressure sensor configured to measure an intraocular pressure, and a first antenna configured to receive a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal,
- wherein the memory and processing circuitry are configured to convert a pressure measurement from the pressure sensor into a frequency measurement;
- and
- an external unit configured to be positioned external of the patient, the external unit including
- a second antenna configured to transmit an RF signal to the first antenna to charge the TOP sensing device,
- wherein the microelectronic device is configured to passively transmit pressure sensing data to the external unit via RF backscatter.
An intraocular pressure sensing device configured to be implanted within an eye of a human patient, the intraocular pressure sensing device comprising:
- a pressure sensor configured to measure an intraocular pressure of the eye of the patient via a capacitance measurement;
- a microelectronic device in electrical connection with the pressure sensor, wherein the microelectronic device is configured to convert the capacitance measurement to a frequency signal;
- and
- a single-turn loop antenna configured to receive RF electromagnetic energy to power the microelectronic device,
- wherein
- the pressure sensor, the microelectronic device, and the antenna are completely encapsulated by an elastomeric encapsulant,
- the microelectronic device is configured to passively transmit pressure sensing data to an external unit via RF backscatter, and
- wherein the encapsulant is made of poly (ether urethane) (“PEU”) and is radially expandable upon exposure to a fluid.
An intraocular pressure sensing device configured to be implanted within an eye of a human patient, the intraocular pressure sensing device comprising:
- a pressure sensor configured to measure an intraocular pressure of the eye of the patient via a capacitance measurement;
- a microelectronic device in electrical connection with the pressure sensor, wherein the microelectronic device is configured to convert the capacitance measurement to a frequency signal;
- and
- a single-turn loop antenna configured to receive RF electromagnetic energy to power the microelectronic device,
- wherein
- the pressure sensor, the microelectronic device, and the antenna are completely encapsulated by an elastomeric encapsulant,
- the microelectronic device is configured to passively transmit pressure sensing data to an external unit via RF backscatter, and
- the device has a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, and wherein
- in the compressed configuration, the device has a cross-sectional area of less than 2 mm2, and
- in the expanded configuration, the device has an outer diameter between about 10 mm and about 15 mm.
A method for manufacturing an intraocular pressure sensing device, the method comprising:
- forming a ring-shaped photoresist structure on a substrate;
- forming a first polymer structure on and around the photoresist structure on the substrate, wherein the first polymer structure includes a first surface facing the substrate and a second surface opposite the first surface and facing away from the substrate;
- forming an opening in the first polymer structure that extends to the photoresist structure and is aligned with at least a portion of the photoresist structure;
- removing the first polymer structure from the substrate;
- bonding the second surface of the first polymer structure to a second polymer structure to create a microchannel, wherein the second polymer defines a bottom surface of the microchannel;
- and
- filling at least a portion of the microchannel with a solder material, wherein the solder material is deposited in the microchannel through the opening in the first polymer structure.
A method for implanting an intraocular assembly in an eye of a human patient, the method comprising:
- forming an incision between 1 mm and 3 mm in length in the eye of the patient;
- delivering the intraocular assembly in a compressed state to a capsular bag of the eye, wherein the intraocular assembly comprises
- an annular member;
- and
- an TOP sensing device embedded within the annular member, the IOP sensing device comprising a microelectronic device, a pressure sensor configured to measure an intraocular pressure, and an antenna configured to receive a radiofrequency (“RF”) signal, wherein the microelectronic device is configured to passively transmit pressure sensing data to an external unit configured to be positioned external of the patient via RF backscatter;
- and
- expanding the intraocular assembly at the capsular bag of the eye of the patient, wherein expanding the intraocular assembly includes exposing the annular member to a fluid within the eye.
An intraocular pressure sensing device configured to be implanted within an eye of a human patient, the intraocular pressure sensing device comprising:
- a pressure sensor configured to measure an intraocular pressure of the eye of the patient via a capacitance measurement;
- a microelectronic device in electrical connection with the pressure sensor, wherein the microelectronic device is configured to convert the capacitance measurement to a frequency signal;
- and
- a single-turn loop antenna configured to receive RF electromagnetic energy to power the microelectronic device,
- wherein the pressure sensor, the microelectronic device, and the antenna are completely encapsulated by an elastomeric encapsulant,
- wherein the intraocular pressure sensing device is transformable between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, and wherein
- in the compressed configuration, the intraocular pressure sensing device has a cross-sectional area of less than 2 mm2, and
- in the expanded configuration, the intraocular pressure sensing device has an outer diameter between about 10 mm and about 15 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.