A system and method for waking up a satellite implantable medical device ('IMD') from a sleep state in which power consumption by the satellite IMD is essentially zero. The satellite IMD may be adapted to perform one or more designated measurement and/or therapeutic functions. The satellite IMD includes a wake-up sensor that is adapted to sense the presence or absence of a wake-up field generated by a primary IMD or an external device. The wake-up field may be an electromagnetic field, a magnetic field, or a physiologically sub-threshold excitation current (i.e., E-field). Upon sensing by the wake-up sensor of the wake-up field, other components of the satellite IMD, which may include a controller, a sensing and/or therapy module, and/or a communications module, are awakened to perform one or more designated functions.

System and method for waking an implantable medical device from a sleep state

A system and method for measuring and communicating parameters of a brain, tissue, or other organs is disclosed. The system includes a sensor to sense the parameter of interest, an external device where the parameter may be displayed, processed or cause action to be taken, and a communication system to communicate the sensed parameter from the sensor to the external device. In another embodiment, the system includes a processing system for processing the sensed parameters and controlling an associated medical device.

Device and method to measure and communicate body parameters

Systems and methods for communicating with an implant within a patient's body using acoustic telemetry includes an external communications device attachable to the patient's skin. The device includes an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic signals into the patient's body and/or for receiving acoustic signals from the implant. The device includes a battery for providing electrical energy to operate the device, a processor for extracting data from acoustic signals received from the implant, and memory for storing the data. The device may include an interface for communicating with a recorder or computer, e.g., to transfer data from the implant and/or to receive instructions for controlling the implant. The device is secured to the patient's skin for controlling, monitoring, or otherwise communicating with the implant, while allowing the patient to remain mobile.

Systems and methods for communicating with implantable devices

An implantable, passive bio-sensor (10) for monitoring internal physiological conditions of a patient is disclosed. The bio-sensor (10) includes at least one sensor or transducer (12) for monitoring a physiological condition of the patient and a passive transponder (14) that receives sensor signals from the sensor or sensors (12), digitizes the sensor signals, and transmits the digitized signals out of the patient's body when subjected to an externally generated interrogation signal. In one embodiment, the bio-sensor (100) is incorporated into the sidewall of a shunt (102) used for treating hydrocephalus for non-invasively monitoring the operation of the shunt (102).

Implantable passive bio-sensor

Methods and devices are provided for gathering impedance data related to implantable restriction devices. In general, the methods and devices can enable patients, health care providers, and others to use gathered data as a feedback mechanism to non-invasively monitor efficacy of an implantable restriction device in a patient and to identify, modify, and/or prescribe a treatment plan for the patient considering the gathered data. Impedance data can be gathered and analyzed for tissue proximate to the restriction device, e.g., a fat pad between a gastric band and the patient's stomach. Electrodes in contact with the tissue can measure an impedance of the tissue, with the impedance between the electrodes changing as the tissue reduces in size (e.g., as fat cells shrink) and/or changes configuration.

Methods and devices for measuring impedance in a gastric restriction system

A differential pressure sensing device is fully implanted in the body of a patient to monitor internal pressure such as intracranial pressure. A movable element in the sensor communicates with the internal pressure of the body to be measured on one side and the atmospheric pressure on the other, the latter communicated through the intact skin and a nearly coplanar membrane. The movable element's differential pressure dependent displacement changes a physical characteristic of the sensor, such as the resonant frequency of a tune L-C circuit, and the change is detected external to the body by a radiating detector system, such as a frequency swept radio frequency oscillator, by which the internal pressure is read out.

Eric R. Cosman

Papers

Single diaphragm telemetric differential pressure sensing system