Resonant circuit-based vascular monitors, related systems, and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for control and signal processing in variable inductance, resonant circuit monitoring devices are disclosed. Improved techniques are disclosed for energizing a sensor resonant circuit using an excitation signal frequency sweep, for validating sensor readings, characterizing the sensor frequency output relative to the measured physical parameter, and for separating background electromagnetic noise and distinguishing known from the sensor's measured signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 934,399, filed November 12, 2019, entitled "Resonant Circuit-Based Monitors, Related Systems, and Methods," which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to improvements in wireless vascular monitors, particularly resonant circuit-based monitors, and related systems and methods. [Background technology]

[0003] A resonant circuit (RC)-based sensor is one that experiences a change in resonant frequency as a result of a change in a physical parameter in the surrounding environment, which in turn alters the resonant frequency generated by the circuit within the device. The change in resonant frequency, which may be detected as a "ringback" signal when the circuit is energized, indicates the sensed parameter or its change. As is well known, a basic resonant circuit contains inductance and capacitance. In most available RC sensing devices, the change in resonant frequency is due to a change in the circuit's capacitance. A well-known example of such a device is the plates of a capacitor, which move together or apart in response to changes in pressure, thus providing a pressure sensor. Less commonly, the change in resonant frequency is based on a change in the circuit's inductance.

[0004] Applicant has filed numerous patent applications disclosing novel RC monitoring devices that utilize variable inductance to monitor intravascular dimensions and, based thereon, determine physiological parameters such as a patient's fluid status. See, for example, PCT / US17 / 63749, "Wireless Resonant Circuit and Variable Inductance Vascular Implant for Monitoring a Patient's Vascular and Fluid Status, and Systems and Methods Using the Same," filed November 29, 2017 (Publication No. WO2018 / 102435), and PCT / US19 / 34657, "Wireless Resonant Circuit and Variable Inductance Vascular Monitoring Implants and Anchoring Structures Therefor," filed May 30, 2019 (Publication No. WO2019 / 232213), each of which is incorporated herein by reference and discloses numerous different embodiments and techniques related to such devices. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2018 / 102435 [Patent Document 2] WO2019 / 232213 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Despite the technological advances represented by these prior art techniques, improvements in the control and signal processing of such devices are still possible. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides solutions to some of the inherent problems described herein that became apparent only after the introduction and testing of the aforementioned new RC monitoring devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for controlling a wireless resonant circuit sensor including a variable inductance coil that changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in a monitored physical parameter and generates a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter when energized. The method includes outputting at least one excitation frequency sweep including a pre-established number of transmit pulses at pre-defined frequencies across a range of expected implant resonant frequencies, receiving a ringback signal for each of the sequentially output transmit pulses, and transmitting at least one initial transmit pulse over a predetermined initial period, wherein the at least one initial transmit pulse includes one of the pulse frequencies corresponding to a maximum amplitude ringback signal received from the at least one frequency sweep or multiple excitation frequency sweeps. The method includes receiving multiple test ringback signals in response to the at least one initial transmit pulse transmitted over the initial period, identifying the initial ringback signal corresponding to a preferred excitation pulse frequency, selecting the preferred excitation pulse frequency as a measurement transmit pulse frequency, and outputting a measurement transmit pulse at the measurement transmit pulse frequency for a subsequent measurement period.

[0008] In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a control system for a wireless resonant circuit sensor. The sensor includes a variable inductance coil that changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in a monitored physical parameter and generates a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter when energized. The control system includes a transmit / receive switch configured to control signal transmission to and reception from an antenna and a signal generation module configured to generate an excitation signal. The transmit / receive switch controls transmission of the generated signal to the antenna. The control system includes a receiver amplifier module configured to receive and process the ringback signal received by the antenna. The receiver amplifier module is in communication with the transmit / receive switch, which is in communication with a processor configured to execute program instructions. The system is configured to: output at least one excitation frequency sweep including a pre-established number of transmit pulses at pre-defined frequencies across a range of expected implant resonant frequencies; for each sequentially output transmit pulse, the system receives a ringback signal and transmits at least one initial transmit pulse for a predetermined initial period. wherein the at least one initial transmit pulse includes one of the pulse frequencies corresponding to a ringback signal with a maximum amplitude received from at least one frequency sweep or from a plurality of excitation frequency sweeps, and the system receives a plurality of test ringback signals in response to the at least one initial transmit pulse transmitted over an initial period, identifies the initial ringback signal corresponding to a preferred excitation pulse frequency, selects the preferred excitation pulse frequency as a measurement transmit pulse frequency, and outputs a measurement transmit pulse at the measurement transmit pulse frequency for a subsequent measurement period.

[0009] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for characterizing a resonant circuit sensor for correlating sensor output to a measured physical parameter, wherein the sensor includes a variable inductor that, when energized, changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in the physical parameter by generating a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter. The method includes determining a correspondence of physical parameter value versus frequency data over a range of parameter values and frequencies for at least one sensor prior to placement on a patient, and creating a characteristic curve for the at least one sensor by plotting a curve of the data using curve fitting or interpolation techniques.

[0010] In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a method for evaluating electromagnetic background noise prior to outputting an excitation signal for measurements using a resonant circuit sensor, where the sensor includes a variable inductor that, when energized, changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in a physical parameter by generating a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter. The method includes transmitting a predetermined test pulse at a test frequency, where the test frequency is selected to be sufficiently far from an expected sensor excitation frequency so as not to energize the sensor. The method includes receiving the test signal at a sensor ringback signal receiver, where the received test signal is comprised of the test pulse and background electromagnetic noise. The method includes defining the background electromagnetic noise as a signal component different from the known test pulse based on the received test signal, and modulating signal processing of the received measurement ringback signal to eliminate or reduce the effect of the defined background electromagnetic noise.

[0011] In a further embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for validating a sensor signal in a resonant circuit sensor, where the sensor includes a variable inductance coil that, when energized, changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in a physical parameter by generating a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter, the method including transmitting a known fixed frequency and fixed amplitude signal, capturing a known signal as a portion of a captured signal that includes the ringback signal generated by the sensor, comparing the captured known signal portion with a transmitted known signal, and validating the sensor's ringback signal when the captured known signal portion matches the transmitted known signal within predetermined limits. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an illustrative system diagram of one embodiment of a wireless vascular monitoring system using a resonant circuit-based sensor implant. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a control system for the wireless vascular monitoring system disclosed herein. [Figure 3A] 1 shows signals obtained in in vivo preclinical experiments using a prototype RC-WVM system as disclosed herein. [Figure 3B] 1 shows signals obtained in in vivo preclinical experiments using a prototype RC-WVM system as disclosed herein. [Figure 3C] 1 shows signals obtained in in vivo preclinical experiments using a prototype RC-WVM system as disclosed herein. [Figure 4A]10 illustrates an exemplary ringback signal received in a benchtop test through a control system receiver-amplifier module with or without transmission to receive excitation signal leakage according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 4B] 10 illustrates an exemplary ringback signal received in a benchtop test through a control system receiver-amplifier module with or without transmission to receive excitation signal leakage according to embodiments disclosed herein. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a sensor characteristic curve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The unique physiology of the inferior vena cava (IVC) presents several unique challenges when attempting to detect and interpret changes in its dimensions resulting from changes in a patient's fluid status. For example, the IVC walls in a typical monitoring region (i.e., between the hepatic and renal veins) are relatively malleable compared to other blood vessels. This means that changes in vascular volume can result in different relative distance changes between the anterior and posterior walls compared to the lateral and medial walls. Therefore, it is quite typical that changes in fluid volume lead to paradoxical changes in vascular shape and motion. That is, as blood volume decreases, the IVC becomes smaller and more prone to respiratory collapse; as blood volume increases, the IVC becomes larger and less prone to respiratory collapse. Applicant has developed a novel wireless sensor implant and associated systems and methods to address these challenges and provide a clinically effective wireless vascular monitor ("WVM"). In one such embodiment, the WVM comprises a resonant circuit ("RC-WVM") configured as a coil that can be implanted in a patient's vasculature. Detailed examples of RC-WVM, system and method embodiments are disclosed, inter alia, in Applicant's co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17 / 018,194, filed Sep. 11, 2020, and entitled "Wireless Resonant Circuit and Variable Inductance Vascular Monitoring Implant and Anchor Structure Therefor," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0014] In the course of working on embodiments of the RC-WVM as described in the above-referenced applications, Applicant has developed several new embodiments, which are disclosed herein, that can further improve the accuracy and usability of the RC-WVM implants, systems, and methods as described above. These new embodiments are described below after a basic overview discussion of an example RC-WVM system and its operation.

[0015] FIG. 1 provides an overview of an RC-WVM system 10 to which embodiments disclosed herein are applicable. As shown therein, such a system generally includes an RC-WVM implant 12 configured for placement in a patient's inferior vena cava (IVC), a control system 14, an antenna module 16, and one or more remote systems 18, such as a processing system, user interface / display, data storage, etc., that communicate with the control and communication module via one or more data links 26. The data links 26 can be wired or remote / wireless data links. In many embodiments, the remote systems 18 can include a computing device and user interface, such as a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, that serves as an external interface device.

[0016] The RC-WVM implant 12 generally includes a variable inductance, constant capacitance, resonant LC circuit formed as a foldable, expandable coil structure. When placed in a monitoring position within a patient's IVC, it moves with the IVC wall, expanding and contracting based on changes in fluid volume. The variable inductance is provided by the implant's coil structure so that the inductance changes as the coil's dimensions (e.g., the area enclosed by the coil or "sensor area") change with IVC wall movement. The capacitance element of the circuit can be determined by a discrete capacitor or a specially designed intrinsic capacitance of the implant structure itself. When an excitation signal is directed at the RC-WVM implant, the resonant circuit generates a "ringback" signal at a frequency characteristic of the circuit. The characteristic frequency changes based on the change in size of the inductor, e.g., the coil, which is changed by the vessel wall. Because the inductance value depends on the implant's geometry, which changes as described above based on dimensional changes in the IVC in response to fluid conditions, heart rate, etc., the ringback signal can be interpreted by the control system 14 to provide information regarding the geometry of the IVC, as well as fluid conditions and other physiological information such as respiratory rate and heart rate.

[0017] The control system 14 includes functional modules for, for example, signal generation, signal processing, and power supply (generally including excitation and feedback monitoring ("EFM") circuitry, shown as modules 20 including a signal generation module 20a and a receiver amplifier module 20b as shown in FIG. 2), and a communications and data acquisition module 22 that facilitates communications and data transfer to various external or remote systems 18 via a data link 26 and optionally other local or cloud-based networks 28. After analyzing the signals received from the RC-WVM implant 12, the results may be communicated manually or automatically, in any suitable manner (e.g., orally, by printing a report, by sending a text message or email, or otherwise), via the external or remote systems 18, to the patient, caregiver, medical professional, health insurance company, and / or any other requested and authorized party. 2, the components of control system 14 may include a transmit / receive (T / R) switch 92, a transmitter tuned matching circuit 94, a receiver tuned matching circuit 96, a direct digital synthesizer (DDS) 98, an anti-aliasing filter 100, a preamplifier 102, an output amplifier 104, a single-ended to differential input amplifier (SE to DIFF) 106, a variable gain amplifier (VGA) 108, a filter amplifier (e.g., an active bandpass filter amplifier) 110, an output filter (e.g., a passive, high-order lowpass filter) 112, a high-speed analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 114, a microcontroller 116, and a communications sub-module 118. Signal identification, signal selection, and other signal processing functions following amplification and filtering may be embedded within microcontroller 116 or may be performed by an external interface device 18, such as an external computing system executing program instructions, to perform the steps disclosed herein.

[0018] The antenna module 16 is connected to the control system 14 by a power and communication link 24, which may be a wired or wireless connection. The antenna module 16 generates an appropriately shaped and oriented magnetic field around the RC-WVM implant 12 based on signals provided by the signal generation module 20a of the control system 14 to excite the resonant circuit as described above. The antenna module 16 therefore provides both a receive function / antenna and a transmit function / antenna. In some embodiments, the transmit and receive functions are performed by a single antenna, e.g., a transmit / receive switch 92 (which may be a single-pole, double-throw switch), that is switched between transmit and receive modes. In other embodiments, each function is realized by a separate antenna.

[0019] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, optimal excitation of an LC resonant circuit occurs when an excitation signal is delivered at the circuit's natural frequency. However, in the RC-WVM implant 12 described herein, the size of the RC-WVM sensor varies depending on its intended use, so the circuit's natural frequency at any given time is unknown in advance. In one embodiment, a typical sensor is qualified for a patient's nominal IVC diameter ranging from approximately 14 mm to approximately 28 mm. This means that to detect changes in IVC dimension above and below the nominal size range, the sensor's overall diameter range is between slightly less than approximately 14 mm and slightly more than 28 mm. If the sensor diameter is at the lower end of that size range—for example, less than approximately 19 mm, or even less than approximately 15 mm—the amplitude of the ringback signal that may be generated by the sensor will be relatively small due to reduced inductive coupling, thus potentially creating challenges with detection and accurate signal analysis. Further challenges in determining an appropriate excitation signal may be imposed by regulatory requirements, which typically require limited bandwidth and power for such signals. These challenges can be addressed in various ways.

[0020] In one embodiment, the excitation signal is provided by the signal generation module 20a and delivered by the antenna module 16. The excitation signal may be configured as a predefined transmit pulse (e.g., a single-frequency burst) to energize the RC-WVM sensor. In this embodiment, the transmit pulse frequency is selected to optimally energize the sensor, assuming the sensor is in a small diameter range, since smaller sensor diameters result in smaller ringback signal amplitudes. Alternatively, the transmit pulse frequency may be selected assuming the sensor is at its smallest diameter and the ringback signal amplitude is smallest. Therefore, optimal excitation, requiring a discernible ringback signal, is at a detectable level sufficient to obtain reliable measurements. The same predefined transmit pulse frequency is used to energize the sensor for the duration of signal measurement, e.g., 60 seconds. However, as the blood vessel dilates, the optimal excitation frequency changes, potentially reducing the ringback signal amplitude and resulting in unreliable readings.

[0021] In another embodiment, a frequency sweep function can be used to more reliably transmit excitation signals at or near the optimal frequency. As an example, the signal generation module 20a performs the frequency sweep function by sequentially outputting a pre-established number of transmit pulses at pre-defined frequencies across the range of expected implant natural frequencies (five transmit pulses are used in one example). Ringback sensor signals captured during the frequency sweep function are processed via the receiver amplifier module 20b, the communications and data acquisition module 22, and the optional external device 18. All ringback signals (corresponding to the pre-established number of transmit pulses) are received and processed. The resonant frequency with the highest amplitude detected from the pre-set number of transmitted transmit pulses is selected as the optimal transmit frequency. The optimal excitation frequency is then used as the excitation transmit pulse to energize the sensor for the duration of the signal measurement, e.g., 60 seconds. Note that depending on the size of the sensor during the transmit pulse sweep, all ringback signals from the pre-set number of transmit pulses may be detected and used as the optimal resonant frequency.

[0022] With regard to the frequency sweep method described above, the system selects the frequency with the largest amplitude detected during the frequency sweep function. As explained, the amplitude of the generated resonant frequency depends on the dimensions (e.g., area or diameter) of the IVC at the monitoring location, with larger dimensions resulting in larger signal amplitudes. Therefore, when employing this method, the system tends to select an excitation frequency that is more optimal for larger sensor sizes. Subsequently, during signal acquisition, if the vessel dimensions decrease (e.g., due to respiratory collapse), excitation may become less optimal, potentially resulting in poor or insufficient signal quality when the vessel collapses. To address this, additional alternative excitation frequency determination methods can be utilized.

[0023] In one such further alternative embodiment, the excitation frequency is determined using a two-tiered approach. First, an initial excitation frequency is determined, for example, using the frequency sweep function described above. The signal generation module 20a is then configured to transmit at the frequency determined by the frequency sweep function during an initial observation period, which should be long enough to cover at least one respiratory cycle. During this period, the resonant frequency of the sensor is evaluated, and the highest frequency detected is then selected as the excitation frequency for the remaining signal measurements. This approach may facilitate the selection of a higher frequency, corresponding to a smaller sensor area (which may represent a worst-case scenario for signal quality), and therefore may provide more reliable excitation.

[0024] A limitation of the method described in the previous paragraph arises when considering situations of significant IVC collapse due to respiration: in this case, the initial frequency sweep tends to select resonant frequencies corresponding to larger sensor / vessel dimensions, so once the IVC reaches its maximum level of collapse, the sensor resonant frequency may deviate significantly from the excitation frequency, producing suboptimal excitation. This, coupled with a reduced amplitude of the sensor response (due to the small sensor area), can result in unreliable resonant frequency detection (due to poor signal quality) and potentially inaccurate excitation frequency determination.

[0025] To overcome this problem, a further refinement can be employed in which the system repeatedly performs the frequency sweep function described above during a predefined period of time. This period must be long enough to cover at least one respiratory cycle. Because the excitation frequency is sequentially varied among predefined frequencies (including those corresponding to the smallest sensor area), more optimal excitation is achieved in situations with large IVC collapse and small sensors. As with the above method, the system selects the highest observed resonant frequency as the excitation frequency for the remainder of the signal measurement.

[0026] In another embodiment, the frequency of the excitation signal is dynamically adjusted during signal acquisition. In one embodiment, the amplitude or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the response signal from the RC-WVM sensor is monitored continuously (for each sample) or periodically. If the signal amplitude is detected to fall below a predefined threshold (e.g., due to large IVC collapse), a new frequency sweep is performed (using one of the methods described above) to retune to the latest sensor resonant frequency.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the output frequency of the signal generating module 20a is continuously adjusted after each measurement point. In this case, the resonant frequency of the sensor is calculated for each acquired sample during sample acquisition. Therefore, the excitation frequency of the next sample is adjusted to the most recently measured resonant frequency. This method ensures consistently optimal excitation when the system sampling rate is faster than the IVC decay dynamics.

[0028] The above embodiment requires a signal processing algorithm for frequency detection that can be executed in real time in the communications and data acquisition module 22. A fast Fourier transform (FFT) can be used for this purpose. However, if high resolution is required to measure the size of the detected IVC, determining the frequency between sample acquisitions is not feasible, as the required FFT length can result in significant computation time. Instead, variations of the traditional FFT, such as a zoom FFT, can be used. This approach allows for focused analysis of specific portions of the spectrum, thereby reducing the FFT length and, therefore, the computation time, without sacrificing the resolution of the detected frequencies.

[0029] Determining the optimal transmission frequency using one of the above methods is important for providing efficient excitation of the RC-WVM sensor. The amount of RF power that can be transmitted via the antenna 16 is subject to limitations imposed by applicable restrictions aimed at ensuring efficient use of the frequency spectrum. As an additional measure to minimize the level of intentional RF emissions, the dependency between the RC-WVM sensor area and the strength of the sensor response signal can be considered. As previously mentioned, the larger the sensor area, the greater the mutual inductance (and thus the magnetic field coupling) between the antenna 16 and the RC-WVM sensor. Taking this into account, the signal generation module 20a can be controlled to adjust the output RF power as a function of the output frequency. In particular, maximum power is transmitted when the detected resonant frequency of the sensor is at the upper end of the expected sensor bandwidth, and thus, a weak response corresponds to the smallest sensor area. Therefore, the output power decreases monotonically as the frequency decreases, facilitating compliance with applicable wireless regulations.

[0030] In another implementation, the amplitude of the RC-WVM sensor's response signal is monitored and the transmitter output is dynamically adjusted to achieve a constant signal amplitude (similar to an automatic gain control application). As explained in the previous paragraph, this method allows for tighter control of the emitted RF power. Furthermore, it provides a means to ensure that the amplitude of the received signal does not cause saturation of the receiver stage, which could otherwise lead to inaccuracies in the signal processing algorithms subsequently applied to determine the sensor's fundamental components.

[0031] Figures 3A, 3B, and 3C show example signals from in vivo testing, showing the raw ringback signal, the detection of the resonant frequency, and its conversion to IVC dimensions using a reference characteristic curve. Figure 3A shows the raw ringback signal in the time domain, with the resonant response of the RC-WVM implant decaying over time. Modulation of the implant shape due to changes in IVC shape results in a change in the resonant frequency, which can be seen as the difference between the two different plotted traces. Figure 3B shows the RC-WVM implant signal from Figure 3A converted to the frequency domain and plotted over time. The resonant frequency from Figure 3A is determined (e.g., using a fast Fourier transform) and plotted over time. The large, slow modulations in the signal (i.e., three broad peaks) indicate respiration-induced IVC wall motion, while the fast, small modulations superimposed on this signal indicate IVC wall motion in response to the cardiac cycle. Figure 3C shows the frequency modulation plotted in Figure 3A converted to a plot of sensor area versus time. (The conversion in this case was based on a characteristic curve determined by bench testing over a range of sample diameter lumens according to standard laboratory / test procedures.) Thus, Figure 3C shows the change in IVC dimension at the monitoring location in response to the respiratory and cardiac cycles.

[0032] As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, accurate and reliable interpretation of complex signals such as those shown in Figures 3A-C requires good signal fidelity and reliability for both the excitation signal and the ringback signal from the RC-WVM. As such, the embodiments disclosed herein provide solutions to potential challenges to help ensure the best possible signal fidelity and reliability.

[0033] One way signal fidelity can be compromised is when faulty hardware in the control system leads to inaccurate readings. Therefore, a mechanism is needed to verify the accuracy of the data generated by the system. In one embodiment, data accuracy can be verified by utilizing the receiver amplifier module 20b to read the known frequency signal generated by the signal generation module 20a and verifying that the system's output matches the known input. Thus, in one embodiment, a known, fixed-frequency and amplitude signal portion is included in the captured signal, allowing offline verification of the raw data file. The receiver amplifier 20b, coupled with the communications and data acquisition sub-module 22, begins capturing the generated signal as soon as the transmit cycle begins. The transmit signal has a large amplitude, which generates a small leakage signal through the transmit / receive (T / R) switch 92 that reaches the receiver channel. Because the latter has a very large gain, a resonant signal at the receiver's output can be detected and processed to determine its frequency. Note that this frequency is known in advance because the transmitter is programmed to generate such a frequency. In another alternative, a known or fixed frequency signal portion can be included in the raw data captured by the sensor by briefly leaking a known excitation signal from the transmit side to the receive side when the transmit / receive switch 92 switches from transmit to receive.

[0034] In this way, when the receiver amplifier module 20b begins to capture the receive signal, the first portion of the signal is at a known frequency. Simple signal leakage is illustrated by comparing FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A shows a ringback signal that may be received by the control system after the RC-WVM sensor is energized by a signal from the transmitter in typical operation without signal leakage through the T / R switch 92. The signal in FIG. 4A begins at maximum amplitude on the left side when the RC-WVM coil is first energized and decays over time as the energy is dissipated. Note that in this example, the ringback signal begins at time 14 μs, which represents the time delay for the transmit signal to be sent to energize the sensor. (The excitation signal is delivered starting at time 0, which is not shown in FIG. 4A but is shown in FIG. 4B.) The signal in FIG. 4B shows the receive signal when leakage through the switch is allowed, as in the previous embodiment. The leakage portion (LS) of the signal begins at approximately time zero because there is no delay waiting for the sensor to turn on. Second, by limiting the leakage signal (LS) to a time before the sensor ringback signal is expected, the leakage signal does not interfere with the reading from the sensor, while at the same time providing a known frequency verification signal that can be checked against the output of the control system.

[0035] In one embodiment, the process of providing the leakage signal as a hardware verification signal of known frequency may include: 1. An RF transmitter outputs a known pulse through the antenna to power the sensor. 2. The transmit / receive switch is configured to allow signal leakage from the transmit side to the receive side. While the transmitter is active, the receiver electronics begins capturing the received data. 3. The transmit / receive switch completely changes the antenna connection to the receiver electronics to detect the RF response of the sensor. 4. The receiver electronics continues to capture the sensor signal via the ADC. 5. The captured ADC data is stored in the microcontroller and sent to a laptop for long-term storage, where the data includes the transmit portion of the transmit / receive cycle in a data packet, which also includes the frequency programmed into the RF transmitter. 6. The data can then be verified by comparing the frequency and amplitude of the transmitted portion of the data signal data with predefined thresholds of programmed frequency and expected amplitude.

[0036] Another problem that can arise for systems of the type described herein is interference from background noise. Excessive electromagnetic noise or external electromagnetic interference from nearby devices can cause the system to detect readings unrelated to the sensor signal. During normal operation, the system attempts to detect signals induced by the sensor in response to excitation signals delivered to the sensor during its transmit cycle. A sufficiently strong external signal can couple into the system and mask the sensor signal, causing erroneous measurements.

[0037] This problem can be solved according to the present disclosure by providing a mechanism to evaluate electromagnetic background noise before measurements begin. In one embodiment, the system operates in normal mode, i.e., transmit mode is activated, and a known test frequency sufficiently far from the expected sensor bandwidth / excitation frequency is transmitted. This prevents the sensor from being energized and therefore from generating a ringback signal response. The control system then switches to receiver mode, as in normal operation, and the received signal is recorded. Since there is no response from the sensor (due to the "detuned" transmit frequency), the received signal consists entirely of background electromagnetic noise. Based on the detected background noise, appropriate corrections or adjustments in signal processing can then be adopted. In one option, the control system evaluates the power of the maximum component of the background noise signal. This process is repeated a predefined number of times, and an average value is taken to achieve more consistent measurements. The calculated signal level is then defined as the background noise.

[0038] The background noise assessment process described above is not limited to being performed only before starting to record the sensor signal. In other embodiments, the background noise assessment described above can be performed at different stages or multiple points in the sensor signal acquisition process to mitigate risks associated with intermittent noise sources or increasing noise coupling, such as due to patient movement.

[0039] Following an evaluation of the background noise, the sensor signal is identified by a frequency sweep. Once a sensor response signal is detected, its amplitude is evaluated and the resulting value is compared to the previously measured background noise amplitude, effectively calculating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A minimum threshold level for SNR is set. An SNR below this limit indicates that external interference is high enough to prevent reliable measurements. This can alert the user to continue using the system by changing location or removing potential sources of interference.

[0040] The use of characterization curves to convert the raw signal output of an RC-WVM sensor into physiologically relevant readings of vessel size and size change was described above with reference to Figures 3A and 3C. Characterization of raw sensor signals to provide useful, physiologically relevant readings to healthcare providers is generally understood in the art. However, the RC-WVM sensors described here can pose unique characterization challenges because their characteristic inductance is intentionally varied by design. Furthermore, the inductance and capacitance characteristics that define the resonant circuit vary due to sensor manufacturing variations. Many novel and different approaches can be utilized to address these challenges in characterizing RC-WVM sensors.

[0041] In one embodiment, a sensor characteristic curve, such as that shown in FIG. 5, is created by passing the RC-WVM sensor sequentially through a series of increasingly larger tubes of known area and recording the corresponding frequencies. A unique curve can then be generated from these area-frequency measurements using several methods. For example, a curve-fitting method can be employed in which a curve is fitted to the raw data by minimizing the error between the fit and the raw data. Curve fitting can be performed using many different fit types. Fit types include, but are not limited to, exponential and logarithmic fits based on the following functions: (Equation 1) As another example, interpolation can be used to create a curve by interpolating between recorded area-frequency data. Several interpolation methods are available, including linear interpolation functions such as: (Equation 2) In addition to the selected curve type, characteristic curves can also be generated from individual sensor-specific area-frequency data or from average area-frequency data from a batch of sensors.

[0042] Typically, the characteristic curves for each RC-WVM sensor are determined in a clean room during sensor manufacturing. However, these curves may change slightly after the manufacturing and sterilization processes. Because sensors intended for clinical use cannot be recharacterized after sterilization, sensor / batch-specific manufacturing curves can only be generated before sterilization. Alternatively, it is possible to generate a reference characteristic curve from an independent sensor that will not be used clinically after sterilization by manufacturing and sterilizing it in a similar manner to the clinical sensor that will be used as a reference.

[0043] In yet another embodiment, higher characterization accuracy can be achieved as follows: First, a correspondence between area and frequency data is determined for each sensor during manufacturing. A characteristic curve is created from this sensor- or batch-specific area-frequency data by curve fitting or interpolation before and after sterilization, as described above. Next, the sensor is measured and the resulting IVC dimensions are converted using the characteristic curve created in the previous step. Therefore, measurement errors resulting from manufacturing variations are minimized by using a sensor- or batch-specific characteristic curve. The use of a pre-determined characteristic curve allows for more accurate measurements over a wider size range, reducing the need for in vivo calibration for imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), which present other inherent accuracy issues.

[0044] Further features, advantages and limitations of the embodiments disclosed herein are listed below as numbered subparagraphs. 1. A method and system for validating a sensor signal received from a resonant circuit-based sensor includes a known fixed frequency and amplitude subsignal in the output signal captured from the sensor to enable validation of the raw data received from the sensor, which validation can optionally be performed offline. 2. A method and system for determining an optimal transmit frequency for energizing a resonant circuit sensor comprises outputting a plurality of predefined transmit pulses for energizing the sensor over a range of expected sensor frequencies, determining a maximum amplitude sensor signal received as corresponding to the optimal excitation frequency, and energizing the sensor at the determined optimal transmit frequency for a duration of signal measurement, which duration can optionally be about 60 seconds. 3. A method and system for characterization to correlate dimensions to sensor output signals, comprising determining sensor dimension versus frequency data during sensor manufacturing, creating a sensor- or batch-specific characteristic curve of the dimension frequency data by curve fitting or interpolation of one or more corresponding sensors pre- or post-sterilization, measuring with the sensor, converting the sensor results to a desired dimension using the created characteristic curve, and using the sensor- or batch-specific characteristic curve to minimize dimension measurement errors resulting from manufacturing variations, wherein optionally, the use of a predetermined characteristic curve allows for accurate measurements over a wide range of dimensions. 4. A method and system for assessing electromagnetic background noise in a sensor system includes, for example, operating a sensing system in a normal mode with a transmitter activated and transmitting a test frequency that is sufficiently far from the expected sensor bandwidth so as not to power or elicit a response from the sensor; switching the sensor to a receiver mode and recording a received signal with the sensing system, the received signal comprising background electromagnetic noise; assessing the power of the maximum component of this background noise signal, and optionally repeating the process a predefined number of times to obtain an average value; and defining the calculated signal level as the background noise.

[0045] The above is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, in this specification and the claims appended hereto, conjunctions such as those used in the phrases "at least one of X, Y, and Z" and "one or more of X, Y, and Z" are used to mean that each item in the conjunction list can be any number excluding the other items in the list or in combination with any or all of the other items in the conjunction list, each of which can be any numeric value. Applying this general rule, the conjunction phrases in the above example, where the conjunction list is composed of X, Y, and Z, each include: one or more Xs; one or more Ys; one or more Zs; one or more Xs and one or more Ys; one or more Ys and one or more Zs; one or more Xs and one or more Ys and one or more Zs.

[0046] Various modifications and additions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined, as appropriate, with features of other embodiments described herein to provide multiple feature combinations in related new embodiments. Moreover, while the foregoing describes several separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Furthermore, while certain methods herein may be illustrated and / or described as being performed in a particular order, such order can be readily changed within the scope of ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken merely as an example, and no other limitations on the scope of the present invention are intended.

[0047] Exemplary embodiments are disclosed above and shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, omissions, and additions can be made to what is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A control system for a wireless resonant circuit sensor, comprising: the sensor includes a variable inductance coil that changes its resonant frequency in response to changes in a monitored physical parameter and that, when energized, produces a ringback signal at a frequency correlated to the physical parameter; a transmit / receive switch configured to control signal transmission to and reception from the antenna; a signal generation module configured to generate an excitation signal; the transmit / receive switch controls transmission of the generated signal to the antenna; a receiver-amplifier module configured to receive and process the ringback signal received by the antenna and communicated by a transmit / receive switch in communication with a processor configured to execute program instructions; outputting at least one excitation frequency sweep comprising a pre-established number of transmit pulses at pre-defined frequencies across a range of expected implant resonant frequencies; receiving a ringback signal for each of the sequentially output transmission pulses; determining a pulse frequency of the transmit pulses corresponding to a maximum amplitude ringback signal received from at least one excitation frequency sweep; transmitting at least one initial transmit pulse at the determined pulse frequency during a predetermined initial period; receiving a plurality of test ringback signals in response to at least one initial transmit pulse transmitted over the initial period; identifying the highest frequency ringback signal received from the plurality of test ringback signals; selecting the frequency of the identified ringback signal as the measurement transmit pulse frequency; and outputting measurement transmit pulses at said measurement transmit pulse frequency during a subsequent measurement period.

2. Further features include: receiving a measurement ringback signal generated by the sensor in response to the measurement transmit pulse during the measurement period; The system of claim 1 , configured to analyze the measurement ringback signal to determine a characteristic of a physical parameter being monitored.

3. Further features include: identifying the ringback signal from at least one frequency sweep having a maximum amplitude and selecting the transmit pulse frequency corresponding to the ringback signal with the maximum amplitude as the initial transmit pulse frequency; The system of claim 1 or 2, configured to transmit an excitation signal at an initial transmit pulse frequency during the initial period.

4. Further features include: transmitting at least one initial transmit pulse during the initial period by outputting a repeated excitation frequency sweep during the initial period; 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, configured to identify the highest frequency received ringback signal of a plurality of test ringback signals by identifying the highest observed ringback signal frequency produced by the repeated excitation frequency sweeps.

5. Further features include:

5. The system of claim 1, configured to dynamically adjust the frequency of the transmit pulse during acquisition of the corresponding ringback signal by monitoring at least one of an amplitude or a signal-to-noise ratio of the corresponding ringback signal and, in response to detecting the amplitude of the ringback signal falling below a predefined threshold, outputting a new excitation frequency sweep to identify a new measurement transmit pulse frequency.

6. Further features include:

6. The system of claim 1, configured to adjust the transmit pulse output power as a function of transmit pulse output frequency by monotonically decreasing the transmit pulse output power as the transmit pulse frequency decreases.

7. Further features include:

7. The system of claim 1, configured to monitor a ringback signal generated by the sensor and dynamically adjust transmit pulse power to achieve a substantially constant ringback signal amplitude based on the monitored ringback signal.

Images