Implantable vital sign sensor
An implantable vital sign sensor including a housing including a first portion, the first portion defining a first open end, a second open end opposite the first end, and a lumen there through, the first portion being sized to be implanted substantially entirely within the blood vessel wall of the patient. A sensor module configured to measure a blood vessel blood pressure waveform is included, the sensor module having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being insertable within the lumen and the proximal portion extending outward from the first open end.
1. An implantable vital signs measurement device for a patient having an artery with an arterial wall, the arterial wall having a basement membrane and endothelial cells, the device comprising:
an elongate housing including:
a first portion, the first portion defining a first open end, a second open end opposite the first end, and a lumen there through, the first portion being sized to be implanted substantially entirely within the arterial wall of the patient; and
a second portion substantially orthogonal with the first portion and configured to contour an exterior surface of the arterial wall when the distal end of the first portion is inserted to a position within the arterial wall substantially co-planar to the basement membrane and endothelial cells of the arterial wall;
a sensor module having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being insertable within the lumen and the sensor module being retainable within the first portion; at least a portion of the proximal portion is configured to seal the first open end and to provide for a predetermined insertion depth when distal portion of the sensor module is inserted within the lumen, the proximal portion being further configured to be pressed against the second portion of the housing when the distal portion of the sensor module is inserted within the lumen;
the sensor module having a pressure transducer configured to measure an arterial blood pressure waveform, the sensor module having a deflectable diaphragm responsive to a blood pressure waveform within the artery, the diaphragm being substantially co-planar to the basement membrane and endothelial cells of the arterial wall when the sensor module is retained within the first portion; and
a sensor module retaining element coupled to the sensor module, the sensor module retaining element including a plurality of connected spaced apart links configured to surround the artery and to retain the sensor module within the first portion.