Signal Conducting Device for Concurrent Power and Data Transfer To and From Un-Wired Sensors Attached to a Medical Device

Abstract

A medical device system for concurrent power and data transfer comprises an elongated conductive member. At least a portion of the elongated conductive member is configured for insertion within an intraluminal space. One or more sensors that are in electrical connection with the elongated conductive member. The medical device system uniquely allocates each of the plurality of unique contiguous segments within a signal space to one of (i) one or more power channels or (ii) one or more signal channels. The medical device system then sends the electrical signals, via the elongated conductive member, to one or more sensors that are in electrical connection with the elongated conductive member. The medical device harvests energy from the electrical signals. The medical device system isolates transmitted data signals within at least one of the one or more signal channels the data signals generated by the one or more sensors.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A method of transferring power and data in a medical device, the method comprising:
 providing an elongated member, at least a portion thereof being configured for insertion within an intraluminal space, the elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, at least one sensor being associated with the elongated member at the distal portion;   transmitting electrical signals, via the elongated member, between an external power and data coupling device and the at least one sensor; and   positioning an interventional device over the elongated member and displacing the interventional device toward the distal portion of the elongated member while maintaining transmission of the electrical signals between the external power and data coupling device and the at least one sensor.   
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising configuring the elongated member as a guidewire wherein the distal portion and the proximal portion comprise a conductive material. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising configuring the interventional device as a catheter. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , further comprising configuring the interventional device to include a stent. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising configuring the external power and data coupling device to include a hemostatic valve. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising passing the elongated member through an opening of the external power and data coupling device prior to transmitting the electrical signals. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 allocating a signal space into a plurality of unique contiguous segments;   uniquely allocating each of the plurality of unique contiguous segments to one of (i) one or more power channels or (ii) one or more signal channels;   harvesting energy from the electrical signals within at least one of the one or more power channels; and   isolating transmitted data signals from at least one of the one or more signal channels.   
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein harvesting energy further comprises:
 transmitting energy within the one or more power channels, wherein the one or more power channels comprises a particular unique contiguous segment of the signal space; and   providing power to a plurality of sensors of the at least one sensor through the one or more power channels, at least a portion of the plurality of sensors configured to receive power from the particular unique contiguous segment of the signal space.   
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising configuring the at least one sensor to include at least two sensors of different sensor types. 
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising configuring the elongated member to include a single conductive pathway between the proximal portion and the distal portion. 
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 23 , wherein transmitting electrical signals includes transmitting AC power. 
     
     
         34 . A medical device system for transferring power and data, the medical device system comprising:
 an elongated member, at least a portion thereof being configured for insertion within an intraluminal space, the elongated member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion;   at least one sensor electrically coupled with the elongated member;   an external power and data coupling device, wherein the elongated member and the external power and data coupling device are cooperatively configured to transmit electrical signals, via the elongated member, between the external power and data coupling device and the at least one sensor; and   a medical device configured for selectively positioning on, and removal from, the elongated member, wherein transmission of electrical signals between the external power and data coupling device and the at least one sensor is maintained while the medical device is being positioned on, or removed from, the elongated member.   
     
     
         35 . The medical device system of  claim 34 , wherein the elongated member comprises a guidewire. 
     
     
         36 . The medical device system of  claim 35 , wherein the guidewire comprises a single conduct pathway extending between the proximal portion and the distal portion. 
     
     
         37 . The medical device system of  claim 35 , wherein the external power and data coupling device comprises a hemostatic valve. 
     
     
         38 . The medical device system of  claim 37 , wherein the medical device includes a catheter. 
     
     
         39 . The medical device system of  claim 37 , wherein the medical device system includes a stent. 
     
     
         40 . The medical device system of  claim 34 , further comprising:
 one or more electrical components that are physically configured such that when activated, the one or more electrical components cause the medical device system to perform at least the following:   allocate a signal space into a plurality of unique contiguous segments;   uniquely allocate each of the plurality of unique contiguous segments to one of (i)   one or more power channels or (ii) one or more signal channels;   send electrical signals, via the elongated member, to the at least one sensor;   harvest energy from the electrical signals within at least one of the one or more power channels; and   isolate transmitted data signals within at least one of the one or more signal channels, via the elongated member, the data signals being generated by the at least one sensor.