Micro-magnetic reporter and systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9801563-B2
Application number	US-201414533661-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 5, 2014
Priority date	Nov 6, 2013
Publication date	Oct 31, 2017
Grant date	Oct 31, 2017

Abstract

The present disclosure describes system and methods for detecting and amplifying weak magnetic fields generated by anatomical structures. The disclosure describes an implantable magnetic reporter system. The magnetic reporter system includes a magnetic reporter. The magnetic reporter includes a platform coupled to a support structure by a plurality of torsional flexures. A magnet is disposed on the platform, and the magnet and platform rotate when exposed to a magnetic field. The rotation of the magnet generates a stronger magnet field that is detectable external to the patient.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system comprising:
a magnetic reporter comprising:
a platform coupled to a support structure by a plurality of torsional flexures, wherein the platform is configured to rotate about an axis; and
a magnet disposed on the platform;

a wound coil disposed proximal to the magnetic reporter;
an energy source electrically coupled with the wound coil;
a sensor configured to measure a physiological signal;
a controller electrically coupled to the sensor and configured to control a flow of current between the energy source and the wound coil based on the measured physiological signal; and
a hermetical package forming a seal around the magnetic reporter.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to enable the current flow from the energy source to the wound coil responsive to detecting a signal above a predetermined threshold.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an implantable electroencephalography electrode.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an ion concentration sensor.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the energy source is one of a capacitor and a rechargeable battery.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wound coil is an energy scavenger configured to recharge the energy source.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torsional flexures suspend the platform over a recess in a capping layer.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of torsional flexures comprises at least one pair of torsional flexures coupled to opposite ends of the platform.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the magnet comprises a polymer binder and a magnetic powder.

10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second magnet disposed on a second face of the platform.

11. A method comprising:
implanting a magnetic reporter system in a patient, the magnetic reporter system comprising:
a magnetic reporter comprising a platform coupled to a support structure by a plurality of torsional flexures, wherein the platform is configured to rotate about an axis; and a magnet disposed on the platform;
a wound coil disposed proximal to the magnetic reporter;
an energy source electrically coupled with the wound coil;
a controller to control a flow of current between the energy source and the wound coil;
a sensor electrically coupled to the controller and configured to measure a physiological signal; and
a hermetical package forming a seal around the magnetic reporter;

monitoring a physiological parameter with the magnetic reporter system;
measuring a magnetic field generated by the magnetic reporter system in response to a change in the monitored physiological parameter.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising measuring the magnetic field generated by the magnetic reporter with a magnetic field sensor external to the patient.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising implanting the magnetic reporter system proximal to a neuron.

14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising energizing, responsive to a change in the monitored physiological parameter, the wound coil.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
applying an alternating magnetic field to the wound coil to induce a current in the wound coil; and
supplying the current to the energy source.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sensor is one of an implantable electroencephalography electrode and an ion concentration sensor.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the energy source is one of a capacitor and a rechargeable battery.

Assignees

• Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc

Inventors

• Bernstein Jonathan J

Classifications

• A61B5/6868

  Brain · CPC title

• A61B5/0478

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61B5/05 Primary

  Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves (measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24) · CPC title

• A61B5/04008

  Human Necessities · mapped topic

• A61B2503/42

  for laboratory research · CPC title