Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring changes in smart hydrogel microresonator structures positioned in an in vivo or other environment, having an acoustic resonance frequency in an ultrasound range. The system includes a smart hydrogel microresonator structure positioned within the environment configured to exhibit a change in resonance frequency in response to interaction with one or more predefined analytes in the environment. The system includes an ultrasound transducer for querying the smart hydrogel microresonator structure at or near its resonance frequency. The system also includes a computer system configured to receive ultrasound data as provided by query of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure and to determine changes in resonance frequency, amplitude or intensity of the ultrasound query wave, or mean grayscale value (MGV) associated with the ultrasound data of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure due to the change in resonance frequency.

Abstract: Passive pressure sensors for use in a shunt valve system or other intracranial implants, for measurement of intracranial pressure of cerebrospinal fluid within the brain cavity. Such a pressure sensor implant can be very simple, e.g., including only a micro-membrane configured as a diaphragm, formed of a biocompatible polymer or other material (e.g., PMMA, PDMS, PEEK, polyimide or a biocompatible hydrogel), and an associated air cavity, without any required electronic components. The diaphragm, or air cavity are configured to exhibit changes in response to changes in CSF pressure, which can be detected through ultrasound readout. Ultrasound query at specific frequencies can be used to track such changes which can be correlated to intracranial pressure. Such an ultrasound readout is completely remote, taken from outside the patient's body, without requiring any electronics, wires, etc. for connection to the implant.

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring changes in smart hydrogel microresonator structures positioned in an in vivo or other environment, having an acoustic resonance frequency in an ultrasound range. The system includes a smart hydrogel microresonator structure positioned within the environment configured to exhibit a change in resonance frequency in response to interaction with one or more predefined analytes in the environment. The system includes an ultrasound transducer for querying the smart hydrogel microresonator structure at or near its resonance frequency. The system also includes a computer system configured to receive ultrasound data as provided by query of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure and to determine changes in resonance frequency, amplitude or intensity of the ultrasound query wave, or mean grayscale value (MGV) associated with the ultrasound data of the smart hydrogel microresonator structure due to the change in resonance frequency.