Medtronic, Inc.

Louis E Halperin

Keith Alan Miesel

Joseph F Lessar

William John Taylor

Anthony J Varrichio

Robert E Kraska

Lee Stylos

Robert T Taepke

John T Meador

James Kevin Carney

Brian Bruce Lee

Glenn M Roline

Keith A Ufford

Robert C Beck

James R Svensk

Beth A Hassler

Timothy Patrick

Michael Turi

An implantable barometric pressure sensor coupled with an implantable medical device (IMD) provides a barometric pressure related, reference pressure value for use in combination with an absolute pressure value measured by an implantable absolute pressure sensor coupled to the IMD. In one embodiment, the barometric pressure sensor is implanted under the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer at or near the implant site of the IMD. In variations of this embodiment, the barometric pressure is formed as part of a connector module of the IMD or extends from the connector module. In a further embodiment, a percutaneous access device is provided which is adapted to be implanted to extend through the skin and subcutaneous tissue layer of the patient and is coupled with the barometric pressure sensor to provide for an air chamber extending between the atmosphere and the barometric pressure sensor. The barometric pressure sensor is preferably enclosed within an air chamber of the implantable medical device, and a catheter extends between the air chamber of the implantable medical device and the percutaneous access device. Or the barometric pressure sensor is enclosed within an air chamber of the percutaneous access device, and a lead extends between the barometric pressure sensor and the implantable medical device.

Implantable medical device for sensing absolute blood pressure and barometric pressure

A body implanted device including a container having an opening through which extends an electrical feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a terminal of bio-stable material. A glass insulator is positioned around the terminal. The glass insulator is chosen from a CABAL-12 type composition or variation thereof. The terminal is comprised of a material which has thermal expansion characteristics compatible with the glass seal. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 6.8 to 8.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree. C. the terminal is comprised of a thin layer of titanium metallurgically clad over niobium or tantalum. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 8.0 to 9.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree. C. the terminal is comprised of platinum, platinum-iridium or alloys of either, or of pure titanium.

Body implanted device with electrical feedthrough

Implantable medical device for sensing absolute blood pressure and

A body implanted device including a container having an opening through which extends an electrical feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a terminal of bio-stable material. A glass insulator is positioned around the terminal. The glass insulator is chosen from a CABAL-12 type composition or variation thereof. The terminal is comprised of a material which has thermal expansion characteristics compatible with the glass seal. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 6.8 to 8.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of a thin layer of titanium metallurgically clad over niobium or tantalum. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 8.0 to 9.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of platinum, platinum-iridium or alloys of either, or of pure titanium.

A system for long term monitoring of an internal patient medical parameter having an external reference and means to correct the internal measurements of the parameter via external measurements taken by the external reference. A coordinating device makes the correction and makes available a histogram-based record of the parameter over time. This information can be used to reprogram an implantable device or for other therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Pressure sensor embodiment is detailed.

External patient reference sensors

An endocardial lead for implantation in a right heart chamber for responding to blood pressure and temperature and providing modulated pressure and temperature related signals to an implanted or external hemodynamic monitor and/or cardiac pacemaker or pacemaker/cardioverter/defibrillator. The lead has a sensor module formed in its distal end and is coupled to a monitor that powers a sensor circuit in the sensor module. The sensor module is formed with a pickoff capacitor that changes capacitance with pressure changes and a reference capacitor that is relatively insensitive to pressure changes. The sensor circuit provides charge current that changes with temperature variation at the implant site, alternately charges and discharges the two capacitors, and provides timing pulses having distinguishable parameters at the end of each charge cycle that are transmitted to the demodulator. The demodulator detects and synchronizes the timing pulses and derives pressure and temperature analog voltage values representative of the intervals between the timing pulses which are digitized and stored in the monitor. The monitor may also be coupled with other sensors for measuring and storing related patient body parameters, e.g. blood gas, EGM, and patient activity.

Implantable capacitive absolute pressure and temperature sensor

A capacitive pressure and temperature sensing system for providing signals representative of the magnitude of body fluid absolute pressure at a selected site and ambient operating conditions, including body temperature, at the site. An implantable lead having a sensor module formed in its distal end is coupled to a monitor that powers a sensor circuit in the sensor module and demodulates and stores absolute pressure and temperature data derived from signals generated by the sensor circuit. The sensor module is formed with a pickoff capacitor that changes capacitance with pressure changes and a reference capacitor that is relatively insensitive to pressure changes. The sensor circuit provides charge current that changes with temperature variation at the implant site, alternately charges and discharges the two capacitors, and provides timing pulses having distinguishable parameters at the end of each charge cycle that are transmitted to the demodulator. The demodulator detects and synchronizes the timing pulses and derives pressure and temperature analog voltage values representative of the intervals between the timing pulses which are digitized and stored in the monitor. The monitor may also be coupled with other sensors for measuring and storing related patient body parameters, e.g. blood gas, EGM, and patient activity.

Implantable capacitive absolute pressure and temperature monitor system

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Saint Paul, MN, United States of America

Louis E Halperin