OPTOELECTRONIC SENSING OF A SUBCUTANEOUS IMPLANT SETTING

摘要

Systems and methods are provided for optically reading a setting of an implantable valve. The valve includes optical emitters that are wirelessly powered by a valve reading tool that images the emitted light to determine the valve setting.

主权项

1. A valve for implantation beneath the skin of a patient, the valve comprising:
a fluid inlet port; a fluid outlet port; a restriction element therebetween for restricting fluid transport between the inlet port and the outlet port; a control member operatively coupled to the restriction element for setting at least one of a rate of fluid flow through the restriction element and a pressure drop across the restriction element, a physical orientation of the control member being indicative of the setting; and at least one light-emitting element coupled to the control member; wherein light emitted by the at least one light-emitting element is externally detectable through the skin of the patient for reading the setting.