Implantable monitoring probe

Abstract

Disclosed is an ambulatory system for monitoring one or more physiological parameters in a body lumen, such as the esophagus. The system includes an implantable probe having a sensor for the physiological parameter and a transmitter for transmitting data to an external receiver. The probe may be used for monitoring any of various physiological parameters, including pH, temperature, and pressure, within the esophagus or other body lumens. Methods and deployment catheters are also disclosed.

1 - 9 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A monitoring device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter at an attachment site in a body, comprising: 
 a housing, having a tissue attachment surface;    a securing structure which is movable from a retracted position to allow the tissue attachment surface to be brought into contact with tissue at a preselected attachment site, and an extended position in which it extends through tissue in contact with the attachment surface; and    at least one physiological parameter detector carried by the housing.    
     
     
         11 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , further comprising a concavity on the housing such that the tissue attachment surface is on a surface of the concavity.  
     
     
         12 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , wherein the securing structure comprises a bioabsorbable material.  
     
     
         13 . A monitoring device as in  claim 11 , further comprising a lumen in communication with the concavity, for connection to a vacuum to draw tissue into the concavity.  
     
     
         14 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , wherein the physiological parameter detector comprises a pH detector.  
     
     
         15 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , further comprising an RF transmitter for transmitting data generated by the physiological parameter detector.  
     
     
         16 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , further comprising an electrical contact for contacting tissue in the body and transmitting data relating to the physiological parameter through the tissue.  
     
     
         17 - 54 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         55 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , wherein the securing structure comprises a pin.  
     
     
         56 . A monitoring device as in  claim 11 , wherein the securing structure extends at least part way across the concavity when in the extended position.  
     
     
         57 . A monitoring device as in  claim 11 , wherein the securing structure includes a distal end, and the concavity includes a blind end to receive the distal end of the securing structure when the securing structure is in the extended position.  
     
     
         58 . A monitoring device as in  claim 57 , wherein the blind end includes a locking structure to retain the securing structure in the extended position.  
     
     
         59 . A monitoring device as in  claim 11 , further comprising a window that permits visualization of the interior of the concavity through the housing.  
     
     
         60 . A monitoring device as in  claim 59 , wherein the window comprises a transparent wall of the housing.  
     
     
         61 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , wherein the preselected attachment site is an esophagus.  
     
     
         62 . A monitoring device as in  claim 10 , wherein the housing includes a docking structure that permits removable attachment of the monitoring device to an introduction instrument that introduces the monitoring device to the preselected attachment site.  
     
     
         63 . A monitoring device as in  claim 62 , wherein the docking structure comprises at least one of a threaded aperture, a projection, a lumen, and a recess.  
     
     
         65 . A monitoring device as in  claim 14 , wherein the pH detector comprises one of an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) and an antimony electrode.  
     
     
         65 . A monitoring device for monitoring at least one physiological parameter at an attachment site in a body, comprising: 
 a housing, having a tissue attachment surface;    a securing structure;    a concavity on the housing such that the tissue attachment surface is on a surface of the concavity;    a lumen in communication with the concavity, for connection to a vacuum to draw tissue into the concavity to engage the securing structure; and    at least one physiological parameter detector carried by the housing.    
     
     
         66 . A monitoring device as in  claim 65 , wherein the securing structure comprises a pin that is movable from a retracted position to allow the tissue attachment surface to be brought into contact with the tissue, and an extended position in which it extends through the tissue in contact with the attachment surface.  
     
     
         67 . A monitoring device as in  claim 65 , wherein the securing structure comprises a bioabsorbable material.