Pressure sensing gastric banding system

摘要

An implantable device monitors a pressure of fluid within an inflatable portion of a gastric band. The implantable device comprises a tube defining a lumen, and a pressure sensor positioned within at least one of the lumen or the tube. The pressure sensor is configured to sense the pressure of the fluid within the inflatable portion of the gastric band. The pressure sensor is also configured to transmit a pressure signal based on the pressure to a microcontroller, which transmits the pressure signal to a remote control device. The pressure sensor confers strain relief upon at least a portion of the tube, and the pressure sensor shields at least a portion of the tube from puncture by a needle.

主权项

1. An implantable system that monitors static and fluctuating pressure levels of a fluid moving to and from an inflatable portion of a gastric band, the implantable system comprising:a first pressure sensor including,
a housing defining a cavity and having an open top portion, a flexible membrane covering the open top portion of the housing and having an inner surface facing the cavity and an outer surface capable of contacting the fluid, a pressure transfer fluid located within the cavity, a sensing element, entirely positioned within the cavity of the housing and positioned adjacent to the flexible membrane, for measuring a pressure on the flexible membrane, the pressure being caused by the fluid contacting the outer surface of the flexible membrane, for converting the pressure to a pressure signal, and a microcontroller positioned within the cavity of the housing and coupled to the sensing element, the microcontroller configured to process the pressure signal received from the sensing element and transmit the processed pressure signal to a location external to the implantable system; anda second pressure sensor including,
a housing defining a cavity and having an open top portion, a flexible membrane covering the open top portion of the housing and having an inner surface facing the cavity and an outer surface capable of contacting the fluid, a pressure transfer fluid located within the cavity, a sensing element, entirely positioned within the cavity of the housing and positioned adjacent to the flexible membrane, for measuring a pressure on the flexible membrane, the pressure being caused by the fluid contacting the outer surface of the flexible membrane, for converting the pressure to a pressure signal, and a microcontroller positioned within the cavity of the housing and coupled to the sensing element, the microcontroller configured to process the pressure signal received from the sensing element and transmit the processed pressure signal to a location external to the implantable system, wherein the implantable system is located within a wall of a tubing through which the fluid moves to and from the inflatable portion of the gastric band,wherein the first and second pressure sensors monitor static and fluctuating pressure levels of a fluid moving to and from the inflatable portion of the gastric band by operating in a differential mode.