Patent · US Expired

Acoustic switch and apparatus and methods for using acoustic switches within a body

US6628989B1 · kind B1 · utility

349Cited by
16References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 16, 2000
Grant dateSep 30, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61N2005/0651
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An implant for insertion or implantation within a body includes an electrical circuit for performing one or more commands when the implant is activated, an energy storage device, and a switch coupled to the electrical circuit and the energy storage device. An acoustic transducer is coupled to the switch, the acoustic transducer being activatable upon acoustic excitation by an external acoustic energy source for closing the switch to allow current flow from the energy storage device to the electrical circuit. The one or more commands includes measuring a physiological parameter with a biosensor coupled to the electrical circuit, or controlling a therapeutic device coupled to the electrical circuit. The therapeutic device or biosensor may be activated for a predetermined time or until the switch is opened in response to another acoustic excitation of the acoustic transducer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.