Intraosseous implanted biological sensor

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring analytes in the circulatory system of an individual is provided. A biological sensor is implanted in the bone marrow of a patient and may be self contained within a housing. The biological sensor measures physiological parameters of a patient, including analytes, on a fixed or adjustable schedule. The biological sensor includes a control unit having a transmitter and an energy source for providing energy to the control unit. The biological sensor may be used to adjust other medical treatments and devices in a closed or semi closed loop mechanism and/or predict patient treatment.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A sensor for measuring analytes comprising:
 a housing having an interior;   a housing control unit positioned within the housing and having a transmitter and a receiver;   an energy source positioned within the housing for providing energy to the control unit;   one or more sensing units positioned at least partially within the housing and extending from the housing into a bone marrow of a patient, the sensing units in communication with the control unit;   a porous membrane covering a part of the housing that is configured to allow access to the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1  further comprising an ancillary control unit located remotely from the sensor and in communication with the housing control unit, the ancillary control unit having a display. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 2  wherein a signal from the one or more sensing units is received by the housing control unit and transmitted to the ancillary control unit. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 3  wherein said signal transmitted to the ancillary control unit includes patient data that may be displayed on the display. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 1  wherein the control unit is configured to receive a signal from the at least one or more sensing units, said signal including patient analyte data and transmit instructions to said at least one or more sensing units to measure analytes data on a fixed or adjustable schedule. 
     
     
         6 . The sensor of  claim 1  wherein the one or more sensing units are removable and replaceable. 
     
     
         7 . The sensor of  claim 1  further comprising a treatment system for providing medication to the patient, the treatment system housed within the housing or located remotely from a site where the sensor is implanted. 
     
     
         8 . The sensor of  claim 7  wherein the control unit is configured to receive a signal from the at least one or more sensing units, said signal including patient analyte data and transmit instructions to the treatment system to deliver medication to the patient based on the patient analyte data included in the at least one or more sensing units signal. 
     
     
         9 . The sensor of  claim 1  wherein the energy source is selected from one or more replaceable batteries or a self generating system which uses a process such as motion or vascular flow, body heat, or chemical reaction. 
     
     
         10 . The sensor of  claim 1  wherein the analytes are selected from biochemical, hormonal, inflammatory, hematologic, genetic/nucleic acid and physiologic concentrations, vascular pressures, flow rates, pharmacologic concentrations, degradation products, pH, oxygen, carbon dioxide, toxic exposures, metabolic factors such as glucose, lactate, electrolytes; hormones such as cortisol, insulin, epinephrine; drug and drug metabolites; other therapeutic substances such as monoclonal antibodies, ligands, and chemotherapeutic agents; hematologically active substances such coagulants and anticoagulants; DNA, RNA and nucleic acid containing substances. 
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 1  wherein the sensor is implantable in a pelvic region of a patient.