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An Implantable Microsystem for Tonometric Blood Pressure Measurement

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Abstract

This paper presents an implantable microsystem for tonometric blood pressure measurement in small animals. The microsystem consists of four major components: (1) a titanium base for supporting a pressure sensor and an interface chip, (2) a micromachined capacitive pressure sensor array, (3) a switched-capacitor interface chip, and (4) a titanium cap. A new micromachining fabrication process has been developed to create capacitive pressure transducers with a flat surface necessary for tonometric pressure measurement. An array of three capacitive sensors is used to increase signal output and improve stability. A custom-designed switched-capacitor CMOS interface circuit is used to measure changes in capacitance. In vitro calibration tests have been performed on the complete cuff using a silastic tube to mimic a pliable blood vessel. A sensitivity of 2 mV/mmHg @ 100 mmHg and a resolution of 0.5 mmHg (based on 1 mV RMS interface chip noise floor) has been obtained. The dimensions of the cuff system 10(L)×6.5(W)×3(H) mm3.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

    Babak Ziaie

  2. Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Center for Integrated Microsystems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

    Khalil Najafi

Authors
  1. Babak Ziaie
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  2. Khalil Najafi
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Ziaie, B., Najafi, K. An Implantable Microsystem for Tonometric Blood Pressure Measurement. Biomedical Microdevices 3, 285–292 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012452613720

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012452613720

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