Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc. (ISSYS), an Ypsilanti, MI company, has announced that “the U.S. Patent Office has granted a patent titled “System for monitoring conduit obstruction” (U.S. Patent No. 7,211,048), which covers the design and manufacturing of a wireless implantable sensing system for non-invasive monitoring of pressure and/or pressure gradients in a cardiac conduit.”
This is certainly not the first batteryless MEMS pressure monitoring device that we’ve seen around here. The EndoSure™ Wireless AAA Pressure Measurement System from CardioMEMS, Inc. has been 510(k)’ed by the FDA two years ago. What’s different about this system is its super-miniature size, designed to fit inside the diagnostic catheter for delivery into atrium, or into palliative shunts and conduits in pediatric heart patients, or into hydrocephalus shunts.
Company explains its technology:
Certain heart defects require implantation of a cardiac blood flow conduit in order to bypass valve aplasia or severe stenosis. One of the main issues with implanted cardiac conduits is that over time calcification or stenosis will occur and, in nearly all cases, occlusion will occur eventually. ISSYS’ novel implantable wireless sensing system allows physicians a means for accurate and non-invasive monitoring of conduit condition on a continuous basis. Using the data provided by ISSYS’ sensors, physicians can continuously monitor both pressure and blood flow rate within the conduit, in order to determine whether and when conduit revision is required. Furthermore, remote monitoring of conduit condition would simultaneously reduce the number of hospital and clinic visits while increasing the overall timeliness of treatment…
The pressure monitoring system consists of two major parts: an implantable, batteryless, telemetric sensor and a companion hand-held reader. The miniature implantable micro-device, suitable for implantation directly (via a custom catheter for minimally invasive, outpatient procedure), contains a MEMS pressure sensor along with custom electronics and an antenna for both wireless communication and tele-powering.
Using magnetic telemetry, the reader transmits power to the sensor and the sensed pressure is in turn transmitted back to the reader. Small size, optimized shape, and careful choice of materials ensure implant biocompatibility and non-thrombogenicity. Furthermore, the implant is delivered with a specially designed catheter as a low-cost outpatient procedure. Data collected by the sensor will be used by physicians to tailor treatment of the selected disease.
Press release: ISSYS Inc. Awarded a Patent for Wireless, Batteryless, Implantable Sensors …
Product page: MEMS-sensor-based systems from ISSYS …
More from New Scientist: Batteryless implant measures blood pressure in heart
(hat tip: Medical Connectivity Consulting)