Abstract: A pressure cavity is durable, stable, and biocompatible and configured in such a way that it constitutes pico to nanoliter-scale volume. The pressure cavity is hermetically sealed from the exterior environment while maintaining the ability to communicate with other devices. Mi cromachined, hermetically-sealed sensors are configured to receive power and return information through direct electrical contact with external electronics. The pressure cavity and sensor components disposed therein are hermetically sealed from the ambient in order to reduce drift and instability within the sensor. The sensor is designed for harsh and biological environments, e.g. intracorporeal implantation and in vivo use. Additionally, novel manufacturing methods are employed to construct the sensors.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 15, 2007
Publication date:
November 15, 2007
Applicant:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
David O'Brien, Christophe Courcimault, Liang You
Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 14, 2007
Publication date:
September 13, 2007
Applicant:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Allen, Michael Ellis, Jason Kroh, Donald Miller
Abstract: A sensor has a sensor housing defining a cavity therein. A first wall partially defining the cavity is deflectable under a physiologically relevant range of pressures. An integrated circuit chip bearing electronics is fixedly mounted within the cavity. A capacitor comprises first and second capacitor plates in generally parallel, spaced-apart relation. The first capacitor plate is physically coupled to the deflectable wall so as to move as the wall deflects, and the second capacitor plate is carried by the chip. The second capacitor plate is in electrical communication with the input pad of the chip.
Abstract: A coupling loop or antenna is provided that can be used with a system that determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. A cable attached to the coupling loop provides maximum isolation between the energizing signal and the sensor signal by maximizing the distance between the coaxial cables that carry the signals and maintaining the relative positions of the coaxial cables throughout the cable assembly.
Type:
Application
Filed:
January 30, 2007
Publication date:
August 9, 2007
Applicant:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
Jason Kroh, Michael Ellis, Donald Miller, Robert Refermat
Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 13, 2005
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2007
Assignee:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
James Joy, Jason Kroh, Michael Ellis, Mark Allen, Wilton Pyle
Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 20, 2006
Publication date:
May 3, 2007
Applicant:
CARDIOMEMS, INC.
Inventors:
James Joy, Jason Kroh, Michael Ellis, Mark Allen, Wilton Pyle
Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a wireless sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate a physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal. The system identifies false locks by detecting an unwanted beat frequency in the coupled signal, as well as determining whether the coupled signal exhibits pulsatile characteristics that correspond to a periodic physiological characteristic, such as blood pressure.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 6, 2006
Publication date:
May 3, 2007
Applicant:
CARDIOMEMS, INC.
Inventors:
Richard Powers, Michael Ellis, Jason Kroh, Donald Miller
Abstract: A sensor for wirelessly determining a physical property within a defined space comprises an electrical resonance and has a high quality factor Q. The quality factor Q is sufficiently high that a signal generated by the sensor can be received outside the defined space. The sensor may optimally have a dielectric coating.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 7, 2002
Date of Patent:
December 12, 2006
Assignee:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Allen, Michael Fonseca, Jason White, Jason Kroh, David Stern
Abstract: The present invention determines the resonant frequency of a sensor by adjusting the phase and frequency of an energizing signal until the frequency of the energizing signal matches the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system energizes the sensor with a low duty cycle, gated burst of RF energy having a predetermined frequency or set of frequencies and a predetermined amplitude. The energizing signal is coupled to the sensor via magnetic coupling and induces a current in the sensor which oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor. The system receives the ring down response of the sensor via magnetic coupling and determines the resonant frequency of the sensor, which is used to calculate the measured physical parameter. The system uses a pair of phase locked loops to adjust the phase and the frequency of the energizing signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 6, 2006
Publication date:
September 7, 2006
Applicant:
CardioMEMS, Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Allen, Michael Ellis, Jason Kroh, Donald Miller
Abstract: The progress of a endovascular cardiac repair can be monitored by inserting a pressure transducer sensor using a catheter into a chamber of the heart during endovascular repair and then using a small, hand-held read out device to measure pressure easily, safely, inexpensively and accurately. In one aspect a sensor is introduced into the body by the steps of folding or rolling the sensor into a cylinder, loading it into a catheter, and deploying into the heart chamber by allowing it to unroll or unfold, either by itself or facilitated by the incorporation of a super-elastic alloy component.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 22, 2002
Date of Patent:
February 15, 2005
Assignee:
Cardiomems, Inc.
Inventors:
Michael Fonseca, Mark Allen, David Stern, Jason White, Jason Kroh