Implantable Blood Pressure Sensor with Magnetic Telemetry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless sensors for monitoring physiologic parameters face challenges such as complex electromechanical assemblies, size limitations, temperature and aging-induced drift, and impractical implant-readout separation distances, making them unsuitable for long-term, minimally invasive monitoring of blood pressure and other parameters.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained implantable device with a sensor, electrical circuit for signal conditioning, and antenna for magnetic telemetry, allowing for chronic monitoring with minimal invasion, using a small, hermetically sealed package that can be delivered via catheter and anchored using various methods to minimize thrombogenic risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless sensors use magnetic coupling between implanted and external coils for non-medical communication, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but device complexity and size increase due to required coil assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnetic coupling coils with the blood pressure sensor assembly, integrating multiple functions (sensing and wireless communication) into a single implanted device. This eliminates the need for separate external readout coils and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining wireless communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The implanted device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a blood pressure sensor and a wireless transmitter. The same magnetic coupling mechanism used for sensing also enables communication, allowing a single device to perform both measurement and data transmission without requiring separate specialized components.
2Volume of moving object
If implantable devices are made small for minimally invasive delivery, then ease of implantation improves, but telemetry range and magnetic coupling efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable and expandable antenna structures that can be dynamically configured after implantation. The antennas can be extended or repositioned to optimize telemetry range while maintaining a compact initial implant profile for minimally invasive delivery. This dynamic adaptability allows the device to achieve both small initial size and adequate operational range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes nested or folded antenna configurations that can be compactly stored within the small implant body during delivery, then deployed or extended after implantation to achieve the required telemetry range. This nesting principle allows the device to maintain a small implantable form factor while providing sufficient communication range when needed.
3Measurement precision
If complex electromechanical assemblies are used in implantable sensors, then sensing capability improves, but temperature and aging-induced drift increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes piezoresistive materials whose electrical resistance changes in response to mechanical stress from blood pressure. This parameter change approach allows for simple, robust sensing that is less susceptible to temperature and aging effects compared to complex electromechanical assemblies. The piezoresistive effect provides a direct, stable relationship between pressure and electrical signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electromechanical sensing mechanisms with simpler piezoresistive or capacitive sensing elements. This substitution reduces the number of moving parts and mechanical components that are susceptible to temperature and aging-induced drift, while maintaining adequate sensing capability for blood pressure measurement.
4Ease of operation
If implant-readout separation distance is increased for practical external placement, then ease of external device placement improves, but magnetic coupling efficiency and signal strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the readout and communication functions within the implanted device itself, eliminating the need for separate external readout coils. This integration allows the device to maintain adequate magnetic coupling efficiency while providing flexibility in external device placement, as the implanted unit serves as both sensor and transmitter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables chronic, minimally invasive monitoring of blood pressure and other physiologic parameters with improved stability, reduced thrombogenic risk, and extended telemetry range, overcoming previous limitations of size, drift, and separation distance constraints.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be piezoresistive or capacitive
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be piezoresistive or capacitive
Implementation Method 3
electrical circuit for signal conditioning and magnetic telemetry
Implementation Method 4
antenna for magnetic telemetry
Data Source
AI summary
A system for monitoring blood pressure and other physiologic parameters is provided. The system is designed such that it can be delivered to the patient with ease and minimal invasion. The system contains at least one self contained implantable sensing device consisting of a sensor, an electrical circuit for signal conditioning and magnetic telemetry, a biocompatible outer surface and seal, an anchoring method, and an external readout device. The implant is small in size so that it may be delivered to the desired location and implanted using a catheter, although direct surgical implantation is also possible. The circuit, sensor, and antenna for telemetry are packaged together and sealed hermetically to the biologic environment. The larger readout unit remains outside the body but proximal to the implant for minimizing communication distance.