Abstract
In this paper, the development of a fully implantable wireless sensor able to provide continuous real-time accurate pressure measurements is presented. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology was used to deposit resonators on crystalline quartz wafers; the wafers were then assembled to produce a pressure sensitive device. Excitation and reading via a miniature antenna attached to the pressure sensor enables continuous external interrogation. The main advantages of such a configuration are the long term stability of quartz and the low power necessary for the interrogation, which allows 24/7 interrogation by means of a hand-held, battery powered device. Such data are of vital importance to clinicians monitoring and treating the effects of hypertension and heart failure. A prototype was designed and tested using both a bio-phantom test rig and an animal model. The pressure traces for both compare very well with a commercially available catheter tip pressure transducer. The work presented in this paper is the first known wireless pressure data from the left ventricle of the heart of a living swine.
Highlights
Correct blood pressure management is key in the treatment of a number of conditions, such as hypertension and heart failure (Gradman 2012; Hoeper and Granton 2011)
This paper presents a wireless, ambulatory, continuous blood pressure monitoring system which is able to provide real-time accurate pressure measurements
The location of the implant is the left ventricle (LV), the pressure here being vital for monitoring post heart transplant patients and patients with left-ventricle assist devices (LVAD)
Summary
Correct blood pressure management is key in the treatment of a number of conditions, such as hypertension and heart failure (Gradman 2012; Hoeper and Granton 2011). The location of the implant is the left ventricle (LV), the pressure here being vital for monitoring post heart transplant patients and patients with left-ventricle assist devices (LVAD) With regards to the latter, palpable pulses are not always present so traditional cuff measurements are difficult and while other non-invasive methods using doppler are advised, the associated difficulties are known and have been widely published (Slaughter et al 2010). Future developments will lead to less invasive implantation procedures, any disadvantages of which will be overcome by the benefits of 24/7 local pressure measurements This information is highly desirable by clinicians and, close pressure monitoring has proved useful in providing directions regarding treatment and discharge of patients undergoing LVAD implantation (Wieselthaler et al 2001). Wireless pressure readings show very good comparison to a commercially available catheter tip pressure transducer
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
