Abstract: An implantable miniaturized pressure sensor integrates a capacitor and an inductor in one small chip, forming a resonant LC circuit having a Q value of 10 or greater. The capacitor has an upper capacitor plate and a lower capacitor plate disposed proximate thereof. The upper and lower capacitor plates are connected to one or more spiral inductor coils. The sensor is micromachined from silicon to form a thin and robust membrane disposed on top of the upper capacitor plate. The sensor is hermetically sealed and the membrane is deflected relative to the upper capacitor plate by an external fluid, gas, or mechanical pressure. The resonant frequency of the sensor can be remotely monitored and continuously measured with an external detector pick up coil disposed proximate the sensor. The sensor can be smaller than 2×2×0.5 mm and is particularly useful for intraocular applications.

Abstract: A telemetry system and method includes an implantable medical device implanted in a body and an external communication device, e.g., a programmer. The implanted device includes a housing having transmitter/receiver circuitry positioned therein. The external communication device includes transmitter/receiver circuitry connected to an antenna thereof. The transmitter/receiver circuitry of the implanted device is electrically coupled to the body such that the body functions as an antenna for the implanted device to facilitate communication of data between the implanted device and the external communication device.

Abstract: An implantable medical device having a hermetic canister a battery positioned within the hermetic canister; a pulse generator system positioned within the hermetic canister and electrically coupled to the battery; a receiver positioned within the hermetic canister and electrically coupled to the battery and the pulse generator system; a transmitter positioned within the hermetic canister and electrically coupled to the battery and the pulse generator system; and an antenna positioned outside the hermetic canister and coupled to the pulse generator by a feedthrough. The antenna is constructed of a series of planar windings enclosed by an enclosure; each winding is between 1-100 microns wide, wherein each winding is between 1-1000 microns thick and wherein each winding is spaced apart from each of the other windings between 1-100 microns.

Abstract: A system for precisely locating the distal end of a catheter or an electrical stimulation and/or sensing lead, particularly a pacing lead or a defibrillation lead, within a patient's body. In a first embodiment employing a passive LC resonant circuit having a resonant oscillating frequency incorporated into a catheter or lead distal tip which may be located by means for and the steps of generating a field outside the patient's body at the resonant oscillating frequency encompassing the patient's body and the implanted catheter for a predetermined time to cause the resonant circuit to store energy and oscillate, terminating the generated field, whereby the resonant circuit continues to oscillate as the stored energy is dissipated and creates a re-radiated magnetic field, detecting the re-radiated magnetic field, and determining the location of the catheter distal tip as a function of the detected re-radiated magnetic field.