Communication device and methods

Abstract

Various implementations include apparatuses and methods for subcutaneous sensing. Certain implementations include an apparatus having: a biocompatible housing defining a longitudinal axis; a subcutaneous sensor; a circuit board; a controller; and an ultrasound transmitter disposed within the biocompatible housing and including a tubular piezoelectric transducer extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a biocompatible housing defining a longitudinal axis;   a subcutaneous sensor;   a circuit board;   a controller; and   an ultrasound transmitter disposed within the biocompatible housing and including a tubular piezoelectric transducer extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular piezoelectric transducer is a radially propagating transducer. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular piezoelectric transducer has 360 degrees of radial propagation coverage relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible housing includes a spinal rod housing. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible housing includes an intramedullary nail housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a polyimide film with a silicone adhesive disposed between the ultrasound transmitter and the biocompatible housing that provides isolation to the ultrasound transmitter from the biocompatible housing. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer is a 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz transmitter. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the subcutaneous sensor includes at least one of: a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a strain gauge, a micro-mechanical sensor, or a piezoelectric sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery or a capacitor in electrical communication with the ultrasound transmitter. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the battery or the capacitor is coupled to the ultrasound transmitter such that the battery of the capacitor can store power received from the ultrasound transmitter; and
 wherein the battery or capacitor is coupled to the circuit board or the subcutaneous sensor such that the battery or capacitor can provide stored power to the circuit board or the subcutaneous sensor.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the biocompatible housing includes a sealed compartment containing the circuit board, the controller, and the ultrasound transmitter. 
     
     
         12 . A method comprising:
 sensing data with a subcutaneous sensor of an implanted device to create sensed data;   receiving the sensed data from the subcutaneous sensor at a controller of the implanted device; and   transmitting an ultrasound data signal based on the sensed data using a piezoelectric transducer extending along a longitudinal axis of the implanted device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the piezoelectric transducer is tubular in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein transmitting the ultrasound data signal includes propagating the data signal radially from the tubular piezoelectric transducer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein transmitting the ultrasound data signal includes radially propagating the data signal with 360 degrees of coverage relative to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising: detecting the ultrasound data signal with a receiver external to a patient that received the implanted device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the implanted device includes a spinal rod housing or an intramedullary nail housing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 with the piezoelectric transducer, wirelessly and transcutaneously transmitting sensed data by short-wavelength ultra-high frequency radio waves in a medial radio band from about 2.4 GHz to about 2.485 GHz,   wherein sensing data with the subcutaneous sensor of the implanted device to create the sensed data includes creating: capacitance data, resistive data, strain gauge data, micro-mechanical sensor data, piezoelectric sensor data, force data, temperature data, electricity data, pH data, distance data, pressure data, or biomolecule data.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the implanted device has an ultrasound couplant such that the implanted device has a single resonance frequency. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising;
 adjusting the implanted device in vivo,   wherein sensing the data with a subcutaneous sensor occurs in vivo.