Meters for in-vivo monitoring

Abstract

Systems and methods for use in monitoring treatment of pressure-related conditions, such as hydrocephalus, include an implantable vessel, and a meter including one or more microfluidic channels connected to the vessel. The microfluidic channels may be configured to detect at least one of pressure and fluid flow rate through the vessel and to be read out remotely by a wirelessly coupled external device. The meter may include a passive resonant (LC) circuit. A dynamic flap may be included in the microfluidic channel that may act as part of the LC circuit. An external device may also be configured to inductively couple remotely to the LC circuit, with-out physical connections to the implantable vessel or pressure meter, and to display a pressure acting on the pressure meter and/or a fluid flow through the meter.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use in monitoring fluid pressure within a body, comprising:
 an implantable vessel; and   a pressure meter including one or more microfluidic channels connected to the vessel and configured to detect a pressure at the vessel and to be read out remotely by a wirelessly coupled external device.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the vessel and the pressure meter are included in an implantable unit, the apparatus further comprising:
 a control circuit included in the implantable unit and configured to process data from the pressure meter; and   a memory device included in the implantable unit and configured to store and retrieve the processed data from the control circuit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a rechargeable power source included in the implantable unit and configured to recharge electrical battery power via inductive coupling with a wirelessly coupled external device.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the pressure meter includes a passive resonant tank (LC) circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the microfluidic channel includes at least one volumetric reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the pressure meter further includes a dynamic layer in communication with the at least one reservoir and a static layer opposite the dynamic layer, the static layer including an inductor coil configured to react to displacement of the dynamic layer. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , comprising a plurality of reservoirs, each of the plurality of reservoirs having different dimensions and configured as separate LC circuits. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the microfluidic channel includes at least one dynamic flap at least partially obstructing the microfluidic channel, the pressure meter configured such that a displacement of the flap changes or modulates a capacitance of a capacitor of the LC circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising an external device configured to inductively couple remotely to the LC circuit, without physical connections to the implantable vessel or pressure meter, and to display a pressure acting on the pressure meter. 
     
     
         20 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of manufacturing a meter, the method comprising:
 patterning a microfluidic channel into a substrate; and   providing an LC circuit proximate to the microfluidic channel that is configured to detect at least one of a pressure within and a fluid flow through the microfluidic channel.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 providing at least one volumetric reservoir in communication with the microfluidic channel;   at least partially covering the at least one reservoir with a dynamic layer; and   providing a static layer opposite the dynamic layer, the static layer including an inductor coil configured to react to displacement of the dynamic layer.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the inductor coil is micro-patterned onto the static layer. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 forming a plurality of volumetric reservoirs, each of the plurality of reservoirs having different dimensions and configured as separately readable LC circuits.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 providing at least one dynamic flap at least partially obstructing the microfluidic channel,   wherein, the meter is configured such that a displacement of the flap changes a capacitance of a capacitor of the LC circuit.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , the at least one flap comprising a low-dielectric material.