Implantable sensor with wireless communication

Abstract

An implantable sensor device, such as a pressure monitor, is implanted in the left ventricle (LV), in other heart chambers, or elsewhere, from which it wirelessly communicates pressure information to a remote communication device. The sensor device can be implanted using a placement catheter, an endoscope, or a laparoscope. The device can be secured entirely within the LV or heart wall, such as by using a corkscrew, a helical anchor, a harpoon, a threaded member, a hook, a barb, a fastener, a suture, or a mesh or coating for receiving fibrous tissue growth. The implantable sensor device provides less invasive chronic measurements of left ventricular blood pressure or other physical parameters. The wireless communication techniques include radio-telemetry, inductive coupling, passive transponders, and using the body as a conductor (referred to as “intracorporeal conductive communication” or a “personal area network”). Data from the receiver is downloadable into a computer for analysis or display.

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         76 . A system for providing an implantable device into a patient's body, the system comprising: 
 an implantable device having a pressure sensor; and    a placement catheter including a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity near the distal end in which to place at least a portion of the implantable device; a plunger disposed in the sheath and configured to be releasably connected to the implantable device; and a handle disposed near the proximal end of the sheath, the handle being coupled with the plunger to manipulate the plunger for moving the implantable device to transluminally deliver the implantable device into the patient's body.    
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the plunger is configured to be releasably connected to the implantable device inside the sheath and to open outwardly when moved outside the distal end of the sheath to be disconnected from the implantable device.  
     
     
         78 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the placement catheter further comprises a distal cap which encloses the distal end of the sheath.  
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the distal cap has a convex outer surface to ease transluminal travel into the patient's body.  
     
     
         80 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the distal cap is hingedly coupled to the sheath to be openable.  
     
     
         81 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the distal cap comprises deformable flaps which are openable.  
     
     
         82 . The system of  claim 78  wherein the distal cap is soluble in body fluids after a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         83 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the distal end of the sheath is open.  
     
     
         84 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the plunger comprises protrusions to releasably engage receptacles of the implantable device.  
     
     
         85 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the placement catheter further comprises a coupling member connected between the handle and the plunger inside the sheath and being attached to the plunger to allow the handle to manipulate the plunger.  
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 85  wherein the coupling member comprises one or more rods or cables.  
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the placement catheter further comprise a tether extending from the proximal end of the sheath to the cavity of the sheath and configured to be connected to the implantable device to secure the implantable device until final release.  
     
     
         88 . The system of  claim 76  wherein the pressure sensor comprises a pressure transducer and a pressure transmission catheter which is configured to receive the pressure in a heart chamber of the patient, the pressure transmission catheter being coupled to the pressure transducer via a flowable medium to communicate the pressure in the heart chamber to the pressure transducer.  
     
     
         89 . The system of  claim 88  wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes a biocompatible gel-like tip configured to receive the pressure in the heart chamber.  
     
     
         90 . A method for transluminally delivering an implantable device into a patient's heart, the method comprising: 
 providing a placement catheter including a sheath having a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity near the distal end; a plunger disposed in the sheath; and a handle disposed near the proximal end of the sheath and coupled with the plunger inside the sheath;    placing the implantable device inside the cavity of the sheath, the implantable device having a pressure sensor;    releasably connecting the plunger to the implantable device in the cavity of the sheath;    delivering the placement catheter into the patient's heart by inserting the distal end of the sheath transluminally into the patient; and    using the handle to manipulate the plunger for moving the implantable device to secure the implantable device to the patient's heart.    
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising disconnecting the plunger from the implantable device and withdrawing the placement catheter from the patient after securing the implantable device to the patient's heart.  
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 91  wherein disconnecting the plunger comprises pushing the plunger through the distal end of the sheath with the handle to allow the plunger to open outwardly outside the sheath and be disconnected from the implantable device.  
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising enclosing the distal end of the sheath during delivering the placement catheter into the patient's heart; and opening the distal end to expose the implantable device after the distal end of the sheath reaches the patient's heart.  
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 93  wherein the distal end of the sheath is enclosed by a distal cap.  
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 94  wherein opening the distal end comprises using the handle to manipulate the plunger to push the implantable device through the distal end and open the distal cap outwardly.  
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 94  wherein the distal cap is soluble in body fluids after a predetermined time period.  
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the plunger is releasably connected to the implantable device to allow the handle to manipulate the plunger for moving the implantable device longitudinally and rotationally with respect to the sheath.  
     
     
         98 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising securing the implantable device to the sheath using a tether during delivering the placement catheter into the patient's heart; and cutting the tether after the distal end of the sheath reaches the patient's heart.  
     
     
         99 . The method of  claim 90  wherein delivering the placement catheter into the patient's heart comprises inserting the distal end of the sheath transluminally into the patient via the subclavian artery, through the left atrium and the mitral valve, into the left ventricle.  
     
     
         100 . The method of  claim 90  further comprising guiding the placement catheter during delivering the placement catheter into the patient's heart by one or more removable stylets.  
     
     
         101 . The method of  claim 90  wherein using the handle to manipulate the plunger comprises manipulating the plunger to move the implantable device to secure a stabilizer of the implantable device to the patient's heart by penetrating tissue of the patient's heart with the stabilizer.  
     
     
         102 . The method of  claim 90  wherein the pressure sensor comprises a pressure transducer and a pressure transmission catheter which is configured to receive the pressure in a heart chamber of the patient, the pressure transmission catheter being coupled to the pressure transducer via a flowable medium to communicate the pressure in the heart chamber to the pressure transducer.  
     
     
         103 . The method of  claim 102  wherein the pressure transmission catheter includes a biocompatible gel-like tip configured to receive the pressure in the heart chamber.