Implantable device with sensors for differential monitoring of internal condition

Abstract

The present invention is directed to implantable devices and systems for the differential monitoring the condition of the tissue or fluid emitted from the site in proximity to the implants. The invention may also include modifications of the implantable device to stabilize or immobilize the device in the proximity of the tissue to be monitored

1 . An implantable system for monitoring the condition of a transplanted tissue within a patient's body comprising:
 a housing configured to be implanted between a first tissue and a second tissue within the patient's body, the housing including a first outer surface configured to rest against the first tissue, and a second outer surface opposite from the first outer surface, configured to rest against the second tissue;   at least one anchor to stabilize the position of the housing within the body;   a first sensing system proximate to the first surface configured to sense the physiological property of the first tissue;   a second sensing system proximate to the second surface configured to sense the physiological property of the second tissue; and   a processing system in communication with the first and second sensing systems configured to compute a difference between the physiological property sensed by the first and the second sensing systems.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is a tie-loop. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor is configured for insertion into a tissue. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the anchor is a needle. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the needle includes a beveled distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system includes at least two anchors. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the physiological property sensed is selected from the group comprising: temperature, oxygenation, hemoglobin content, perfusion, pH, NADH levels, biochemical composition, drug concentration, turgidity and pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system displays data regarding the difference between the information received from the first and second sensing systems. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system displays data regarding a relationship between the information received from the first and second sensing systems. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the relationship is correlation. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensing systems include optical fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second sensing systems include at least one transmitting element configured to deliver energy to the tissue proximate to the first and second surface. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a third sensing system configured to sense a second physiological property of tissue proximate to the housing that is different from the physiological property sensed by the first and second sensing systems. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least portions of the first and second sensing systems are embedded within the housing behind material that is optically transparent. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is located within the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system is external to the patient. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an antenna for receiving power. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an antenna for transmitting signals. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , further including an antenna for receiving signals. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first tissue is an implanted tissue. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processing system determines that the condition of the first tissue is abnormal if the physiological property sensed by the first sensing system from the first tissue is abnormal and the physiological property sensed by the second sensing system from the first tissue is normal.