Abstract: Minimally-invasive surgical procedures for monitoring physiological parameters within internal organs of living bodies, and anchors therefor. Such an anchor may have a tubular portion defining a distal end of the anchor, a disk-shaped portion having a proximal surface at a proximal end of the anchor, and an internal passage within the tubular and disk-shaped portions for receiving a sensing device. The internal passage has a proximal portion and an oppositely-disposed distal portion that defines a distal opening in the tubular portion that is configured to retain the sensing device within the internal passage, in combination with one or more features at the proximal end of the anchor. One or more features are defined on the disk-shaped portion for securing the anchor to the wall of the internal organ.

Abstract: Minimally-invasive surgical procedures for monitoring physiological parameters within internal organs of living bodies, and anchors therefor. Such an anchor may have a tubular portion defining a distal end of the anchor, a disk-shaped portion having a proximal surface at a proximal end of the anchor, and an internal passage within the tubular and disk-shaped portions for receiving a sensing device. The internal passage has a proximal portion and an oppositely-disposed distal portion that defines a distal opening in the tubular portion that is configured to retain the sensing device within the internal passage, in combination with one or more features at the proximal end of the anchor. One or more features are defined on the disk-shaped portion for securing the anchor to the wall of the internal organ.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The delivery system includes a hollow catheter, an anchor coupled to the catheter, and an implant secured within the anchor. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. Surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall. The system further includes a pusher wire adapted to cause the anchor to acquire a stowed configuration in which the legs axially extend from the base portion, permitting the anchor to be retrieved after its deployment.

Abstract: A system and surgical procedure for monitoring physiological parameters within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision to expose the organ and a second incision through an external wall of the organ and into an internal cavity. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that a proximal end thereof remains outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element for sensing the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The unit occludes the second incision and a distal end of the unit does not extend more than one centimeter into the cavity. The anchor is then secured to the wall of the organ, after which the first incision is closed and a readout device telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The delivery system includes a hollow catheter, an anchor coupled to the catheter, and an implant secured within the anchor. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. Surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall. The system further includes a pusher wire adapted to cause the anchor to acquire a stowed configuration in which the legs axially extend from the base portion, permitting the anchor to be retrieved after its deployment.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The delivery system includes a hollow catheter, an anchor coupled to the catheter, and an implant secured within the anchor. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. Surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall. The system further includes a pusher wire adapted to cause the anchor to acquire a stowed configuration in which the legs axially extend from the base portion, permitting the anchor to be retrieved after its deployment.

Abstract: An anchor for a medical implant, methods of manufacturing the anchor, and procedures for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. The anchor is adapted to have a deployed configuration in which the arms and legs radially project away from the base portion, the arms axially project toward the second longitudinal end of the base portion, and the legs axially project toward the first longitudinal end of the base portion. Convex surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable sensing device, a sensor unit formed by the anchor and sensing device, and a surgical procedure for implanting the sensor unit for monitoring a physiological parameter within a cavity of a living body, such as an intracranial physiological property. The anchor includes a shank portion and a head portion. The shank portion defines a distal end of the anchor and has a bore defining an opening at the distal end. The head portion defines a proximal end of the anchor and has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the shank portion. The sensor unit comprises the anchor and the sensing device placed and secured within the bore of the anchor so that a sensing element of the sensing device is exposed for sensing the physiological parameter within the cavity.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A system and surgical procedure for monitoring physiological parameters within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision to expose the organ and a second incision through an external wall of the organ and into an internal cavity. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that a proximal end thereof remains outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element for sensing the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The unit occludes the second incision and a distal end of the unit does not extend more than one centimeter into the cavity. The anchor is then secured to the wall of the organ, after which the first incision is closed and a readout device telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A delivery system and method for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The delivery system includes a hollow catheter, an anchor coupled to the catheter, and an implant secured within the anchor. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. Surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall. The system further includes a pusher wire adapted to cause the anchor to acquire a stowed configuration in which the legs axially extend from the base portion, permitting the anchor to be retrieved after its deployment.

Abstract: An anchor for a medical implant, methods of manufacturing the anchor, and procedures for placing a medical implant, such as for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating cardiovascular diseases. The anchor has a base portion with first and second longitudinal ends and a cage therebetween. The anchor further has flexible arms, flexible legs, features for securing the medical implant within the cage of the base portion, and a coupler portion connected to and spaced apart from the second longitudinal end of the base portion. The anchor is adapted to have a deployed configuration in which the arms and legs radially project away from the base portion, the arms axially project toward the second longitudinal end of the base portion, and the legs axially project toward the first longitudinal end of the base portion. Convex surfaces of the arms and legs are adapted to clamp the anchor to a wall.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable sensing device, a sensor unit formed by the anchor and sensing device, and a surgical procedure for implanting the sensor unit for monitoring a physiological parameter within a cavity of a living body, such as an intracranial physiological property. The anchor includes a shank portion and a head portion. The shank portion defines a distal end of the anchor and has a bore defining an opening at the distal end. The head portion defines a proximal end of the anchor and has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the shank portion. The sensor unit comprises the anchor and the sensing device placed and secured within the bore of the anchor so that a sensing element of the sensing device is exposed for sensing the physiological parameter within the cavity.

Abstract: An anchor for an implantable sensing device, a sensor unit formed by the anchor and sensing device, and a surgical procedure for implanting the sensor unit for monitoring a physiological parameter within a cavity of a living body, such as an intracranial physiological property. The anchor includes a shank portion and a head portion. The shank portion defines a distal end of the anchor and has a bore defining an opening at the distal end. The head portion defines a proximal end of the anchor and has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the shank portion. The sensor unit comprises the anchor and the sensing device placed and secured within the bore of the anchor so that a sensing element of the sensing device is exposed for sensing the physiological parameter within the cavity.

Abstract: A minimally-invasive surgical procedure for monitoring a physiological parameter within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision in the body to enable access to the organ. An endoscopic instrument is then inserted through the first incision and a second incision is made therewith through an external wall of the organ and into the internal cavity thereof. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that the second incision is occluded by the unit and a proximal end of the unit is outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element adapted to sense the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The first incision is closed, after which a readout device outside the body telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A system and surgical procedure for monitoring physiological parameters within an internal organ of a living body. The procedure entails making a first incision to expose the organ and a second incision through an external wall of the organ and into an internal cavity. A sensing unit is placed in the second incision such that a proximal end thereof remains outside the organ. The unit includes a sensing device having a sensing element for sensing the physiological parameter within the organ, and an anchor to which the sensing device is secured. The unit occludes the second incision and a distal end of the unit does not extend more than one centimeter into the cavity. The anchor is then secured to the wall of the organ, after which the first incision is closed and a readout device telemetrically communicates with the sensing device to obtain a reading of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a micro-machined pressure transducer for monitoring tire pressure. The device is configured having a micro-machined cavity that is sealed with a flexible conductive membrane. When an external tire pressure equivalent to the cavity pressure is detected, the membrane makes contact with ridges on the backside of the surface acoustic wave device. The ridges are electrically connected to conductive fingers of the device. When the detected pressure is correct, selected fingers on the device will be grounded producing patterned acoustic reflections to an impulse RF signal. When the external tire pressure is less than the cavity reference pressure, a reduced reflected signal to the receiver results. The sensor may further be constructed so as to identify itself by a unique reflected identification pulse series.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a micro-machined pressure transducer for monitoring tire pressure. The device is configured having a micro-machined cavity that is sealed with a flexible conductive membrane. When an external tire pressure equivalent to the cavity pressure is detected, the membrane makes contact with ridges on the backside of the surface acoustic wave device. The ridges are electrically connected to conductive fingers of the device. When the detected pressure is correct, selected fingers on the device will be grounded producing patterned acoustic reflections to an impulse RF signal. When the external tire pressure is less than the cavity reference pressure, a reduced reflected signal to the receiver results. The sensor may further be constructed so as to identify itself by a unique reflected identification pulse series.