Abstract: A miniature piezoelectric transducer element is provided, comprising: (a) a cell element having a cavity; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations thereof at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and (c) a first electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the internal surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least one of the electrodes may be specifically shaped so as to provide a maximal electrical output, wherein the electrical output may be current, voltage or power. A preferred shape of the electrodes includes two cores interconnected by a connecting member. The transducer element may function as a transmitter.

Abstract: A self-expansible structure for implantation in a body cavity is provided. The structure has a generally tubular outline, a nominal length, a nominal diameter, and a unique behavior under constraint. The unique behavior is expressed by a transition diameter, at which a constrained behavior of the structure changes so that, at a constraining diameter smaller than the transition diameter, the structure conforms to the constraint by decreasing the structure's diameter, to below the nominal diameter, and elongating beyond the nominal length, while at a constraining diameter larger than the transition diameter but smaller than the nominal diameter, the structure conforms to the constraint by decreasing the structure's diameter below the nominal diameter, while substantially maintaining the nominal length.

Abstract: An implantation device for delivering a biosensor to an implantation site in a patient's body comprises an elongate catheter equipped with a distally located cavity sized to house a biosensor. Once the distal end of the catheter is positioned adjacent the implantation site, the biosensor is released through an opening from the cavity into the site. A removable cover, such as a thin adhesive film, may be used to retain the biosensor in the cavity, while the catheter is guided through the body to the implantation site. The implantation device may include an actuator for displacing the biosensor from the cavity into the implantation site. By way of one example, the actuator may be a piston inserted through a lumen of the catheter.

Abstract: A device for controlled release of molecules is provided. The device including: (a) a device body having at least one reservoir therein for containing the molecules, the at least one reservoir being formed with a barrier impermeable to the molecules thereby preventing release thereof from the at least one reservoir; and (b) at least one acoustic transducer being attached to, or forming a part of, the device body, the at least one acoustic transducer being for converting an acoustic signal received thereby into an electrical signal, the electrical signal leading to barrier permeabilization and therefore release of the molecules from the at least one reservoir.

Abstract: An implant for insertion or implantation within a body includes an electrical circuit for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, and a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer being activatable upon acoustic excitation by an external acoustic energy source for closing the switch to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit. The one or more commands includes measuring a physiological parameter with a biosensor coupled to the electrical circuit, or controlling a therapeutic device coupled to the electrical circuit. The therapeutic device or biosensor may be activated for a predetermined time or until the switch is opened in response to another acoustic excitation of the acoustic transducer.

Abstract: A miniature implantable light source for providing light to an internal treatment site to effect a photodynamic therapy at the site, the light source is powered and/or controlled via acoustic energy transmitted from outside the body to an acoustic transducer in the light source.

Abstract: A miniature piezoelectric transducer element is provided, comprising: (a) a cell element having a cavity; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations thereof at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and (c) a first electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the internal surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least one of the electrodes may be specifically shaped so as to provide a maximal electrical output, wherein the electrical output may be current, voltage or power. A preferred shape of the electrodes includes two cores interconnected by a connecting member. The transducer element may function as a transmitter.

Abstract: A medical implant for producing a therapeutic agent in a body. The medical implant comprises a pair of electrodes and a mechanism for creating an electrical potential between pairs of the electrodes. The electrical potential serves for electrochemically converting at least one substance present in the body, directly or indirectly, into the therapeutic agent.

Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods for converting absolute pressure data acquired in anatomical environments to gauge pressure data using an implant configured to monitor pressure. The implant is configured to communicate with an external controller, which is configured to communicate with a remote microprocessor that includes real-time barometric pressure data for one or more geographic locations.

Abstract: An acoustic biosensor is provided for deployment at an implantation site within a body, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The biosensor includes a sensor element for measuring a physiological condition at the implantation site, and for generating an information signal representative of the physiological condition. The biosensor further includes a piezoelectric transducer element for converting an externally originated acoustic interrogation signal into energy for operating the sensor, and for modulating the interrogation signal, e.g., by employing a switching element to alternate the mechanical impedance of the transducer element, to transmit the information signal outside of the body.

Abstract: An acoustic biosensor is provided for deployment at an implantation site within a body, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The biosensor includes a sensor element for measuring a physiological condition at the implantation site, and for generating an information signal representative of the physiological condition. The biosensor further includes a piezoelectric transducer element for converting an externally originated acoustic interrogation signal into energy for operating the sensor, and for modulating the interrogation signal, e.g., by employing a switching element to alternate the mechanical impedance of the transducer element, to transmit the information signal outside of the body.

Abstract: A system for monitoring, directing and controlling the dose of radiation in a medical procedure for irradiating a specific region of a patient's body. In its generic form, the system includes at least one sensor being implantable within, or in proximity to, the specific region of the patient's body, the at least one sensor being for sensing at least one parameter associated with the radiation. The system further includes a relaying device which is in communication with the sensor(s). The relaying device serves for relaying the information outside of the patient's body.

Abstract: An implantable biosensor system for monitoring and optionally alleviating a physiological condition in a patient is provided and includes (a) at least one sensor for sensing at least one parameter of a physiological condition and for generating electrical sensor signals representative of the physiological condition; and (b) a first acoustic activatable transducer being directly or indirectly coupled with the at least one sensor, the first acoustic activatable transducer being for converting a received acoustic interrogation signal from outside the patient's body into an electrical power for energizing the processor, the first acoustic activatable transducer further being for converting the electrical sensor signals of the at least one sensor into acoustic signals receivable out of the patient's body, such that information pertaining to the at least one parameter of the physiological condition can be relayed outside the patient's body upon generation of an acoustic interrogation signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An implant includes a pressure sensor, a controller for acquiring pressure data from the sensor, and an acoustic transducer for converting energy between electrical energy and acoustic energy. A capacitor is coupled to the acoustic transducer for storing electrical energy converted by the transducer and/or for providing electrical energy to operate the implant. The acoustic transducer may operate alternatively or simultaneously as an energy exchanger or an acoustic transmitter. During use, the implant is implanted within a patient's body, and an external transducer transmits a first acoustic signal into the patient's body, to energize the capacitor. The implant then obtains pressure data, and transmits a second acoustic signal to the external transducer, the second acoustic signal including the pressure data.

Abstract: An acoustic biosensor is provided for deployment at an implantation site within a body, such as an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The biosensor includes a sensor element for measuring a physiological condition at the implantation site, and for generating an information signal representative of the physiological condition. The biosensor further includes a piezoelectric transducer element for converting an externally originated acoustic interrogation signal into energy for operating the sensor, and for modulating the interrogation signal, e.g., by employing a switching element to alternate the mechanical impedance of the transducer element, to transmit the information signal outside of the body.

Abstract: An intrabody implantable system for long-term, real time monitoring of at least one parameter associated with heart performance.

Abstract: A telemetry system and method for providing spatial positioning information from within a patient's body are disclosed. The system includes at least one implantable telemetry unit which includes (a) at least one first transducer being for converting a power signal received from outside the body, into electrical power for powering the at least one implantable telemetry unit; (b) at least one second transducer being for receiving a positioning field signal being received from outside the body; and (c) at least one third transducer being for transmitting a locating signal transmittable outside the body in response to the positioning field signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method of quantifying flow, detecting a location of an obstruction and quantifying a degree of the obstruction in a pipe characterized in pulsatile flow. The method includes the steps of (a) attaching at least two spaced pressure sensors onto inner walls of the pipe; (b) using the at least two spaced pressure sensors for recording pressure records associated with each of the at least two pressure sensors within the pipe; and (c) using the pressure records for quantifying the pulsatile flow in the pipe, for detecting the location of the obstruction in the pipe and for quantifying the degree of the obstruction in the pipe.

Abstract: A telemetry system for monitoring a rejection reaction of a transplanted organ being transplanted within a patient's body is provided.