Instrumented implantable stents, vascular grafts and other medical devices
View Patent ↗Several different smart stent structures are described for placement in vessel of a mammal. The stents can be advantageously used to perform measurements of the conditions in the vessel and transmit the measurements wireless out from the patient. In some embodiments, the stent performs therapy within the vessel and may be controlled with a microprocessor, which may or may not communicate wirelessly. Some implantable devices comprise a drug delivery system based, for example, on either a microelectromechanical structure or a cover that opens upon application of an electrical current. Smart devices can be used, for example, the detect deposits in a vessel, aneurysms in the vessel or other modifications of flow in the vessel.
1. A prosthetic vessel, comprising:
a support structure, including a biocompatible material and having a structure suitable for replacement of a portion of a mammalian vessel;
a sensor, supported by the support structure, configured to perform a measurement of a physiological parameter;
an implantable wireless communication system, in communication with the sensor, configured to transmit information about the measurement of the physiological parameter;
a treatment transducer, supported by the support structure, configured to deliver a treatment response; and
an implantable microprocessor having an associated memory, in communication with the sensor, the implantable wireless communication systems, and the treatment transducer, the implantable microprocessor configured to control the treatment response based upon information about the measurement of the physiological parameter and a treatment protocol stored in the memory, and reprogram the memory with a new treatment protocol received through the implantable wireless communication system.
2. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , further comprising:
an implantable battery coupled with and configured to power the implantable microprocessor;
wherein the implantable wireless communication system comprises an antenna assembled on a chip.
3. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second sensor, supported by the structure, configured to perform a second measurement of a physiological parameter,
wherein the implantable microprocessor controls the treatment response based upon information about the measurements of one or more physiological parameters obtained by the sensor and the second sensor.
4. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a structure including fasteners configured to attach to a mammalian vessel.
5. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a metal.
6. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a polymer.
7. The prosthetic vessel of claim 2 , wherein the implantable wireless communication system, the implantable microprocessor, and the implantable battery are coupled with the support structure.
8. The prosthetic vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a drug delivery device with a delivery rate controlled by the implantable microprocessor.
9. A method, comprising:
sensing a measurement of a physiological parameter using a sensor associated with a prosthetic vessel;
wirelessly transmitting, from the prosthetic vessel, information about the measurement of the physiological parameter using a wireless communication system;
delivering a treatment response based upon information about the measurement of the physiological parameter and a stored treatment protocol using a treatment transducer;
controlling the treatment response based upon information about the measurement of the physiological parameter and the treatment protocol stored in a memory of an implantable microprocessor in communication with the sensor, the wireless communication system and the treatment transducer; and
reprogramming the stored treatment protocol with a new treatment protocol received through the implantable wireless communication system.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising sensing a second measurement of a physiological parameter using a second sensor associated with the prosthetic vessel.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein delivering the treatment response includes delivering a treatment response based upon information about the measurements of one or more physiological parameters obtained by the sensor and the second sensor.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising attaching portions of the prosthetic vessel to a mammalian vessel using one or more fasteners.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising supporting the prosthetic vessel using a support structure comprising a biocompatible material.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein wirelessly transmitting information includes using an antenna assembled on a chip.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein delivering the treatment response includes delivering a drug at a controlled rate.