Wireless, Ultra-Low-Power Implantable Sensor for Chronic Bladder Pressure Monitoring

TLDR

The WIMM addresses the unmet need for chronic bladder pressure monitoring, offering real‑time data that could improve urodynamic diagnostics and neuromodulation therapies. The study introduces the WIMM, a wireless implantable micromanometer designed to provide continuous bladder pressure measurements for urodynamics and neuromodulation. The device integrates a MEMS transducer, custom circuitry, and a wireless antenna to transmit 10‑Hz telemetry, while aggressive power‑management achieves a 9 µA average draw from a 3.6‑V micro‑battery and offset‑cancellation circuits extend its dynamic range. Wireless operation proved successful, with the external receiver reliably receiving telemetry and the system sustaining at least 24 h of operation after a 4‑h wireless recharge.

Abstract

The wireless implantable/intracavity micromanometer (WIMM) system was designed to fulfill the unmet need for a chronic bladder pressure sensing device in urological fields such as urodynamics for diagnosis and neuromodulation for bladder control. Neuromodulation in particular would benefit from a wireless bladder pressure sensor which could provide real-time pressure feedback to an implanted stimulator, resulting in greater bladder capacity while using less power. The WIMM uses custom integrated circuitry, a MEMS transducer, and a wireless antenna to transmit pressure telemetry at a rate of 10 Hz. Aggressive power management techniques yield an average current draw of 9 μ A from a 3.6-Volt micro-battery, which minimizes the implant size. Automatic pressure offset cancellation circuits maximize the sensing dynamic range to account for drifting pressure offset due to environmental factors, and a custom telemetry protocol allows transmission with minimum overhead. Wireless operation of the WIMM has demonstrated that the external receiver can receive the telemetry packets, and the low power consumption allows for at least 24 hours of operation with a 4-hour wireless recharge session.