Endovascular graft with pressure, temperature, flow and voltage sensors

Abstract

An endovascular graft having one or more sensors attached to its internal and external surface, one or more power sources attached to its external surface and one or more transmitters attached to its external surface, the sensors capable of measuring pertinent parameters and each transmitter capable of transmitting signals containing pertinent parameters to one or more receiving devices located outside the patient's body. The sensors may measure pressure, temperature, blood flow, electrical potential, or any combination thereof. The sensors may be attached at specific locations on the graft material, thereby providing pertinent parameters from critical points inside the vasculature, or may be attached to form an array of sensors over the internal and external surface of the graft material, thereby providing a complete profile of pertinent parameters throughout the vasculature covered by the endovascular graft.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . An endoluminal prosthesis for repairing vasculature, comprising: 
 an endovascular graft having sensors attached to external surfaces of the endovascular graft such that a substantial entirety of the external surfaces of the endovascular graft is covered by an array of sensors, each sensor capable of measuring a pertinent parameter;    at least one power source attached to the endovascular graft; and    at least one transmitting device attached to the endovascular graft, each transmitting device capable of transmitting signals containing the parameters measured by one or more sensors to a location outside a patient's body.    
     
     
         29 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein sensors are attached to internal surfaces of the endovascular graft such that a substantial entirety of the internal surfaces of the endovascular graft is covered by an array of sensors, each sensor capable of measuring a pertinent parameter.  
     
     
         30 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , further comprising at least one receiving device located outside a patient's body, each receiving device capable of receiving signals transmitted by one or more transmitters.  
     
     
         31 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein the array of sensors include a strip of sensors.  
     
     
         32 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein the array of sensors include a continuous strip of wire.  
     
     
         33 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein the array of sensors include miniature sensors that spiral around the graft material in between the weaves of fabric.  
     
     
         34 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the sensors measure pressure.  
     
     
         35 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the sensors measure temperature.  
     
     
         36 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the sensors measure a constituent altered by the presence of minute amounts of blood flow.  
     
     
         37 . The prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the constituent measured is oxygen.  
     
     
         38 . The prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the constituent measured is an enzyme.  
     
     
         39 . The prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the constituent measured is a protein.  
     
     
         40 . The prosthesis of  claim 36 , wherein the constituent measured is a nutrient.  
     
     
         41 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein one or more of the sensors measure electrical potential.  
     
     
         42 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein the endovascular graft is generally tubular.  
     
     
         43 . The prosthesis of  claim 28 , wherein the endovascular graft is bifurcated.