Tiny Implantable Sensor for Monitoring Body Chemistry
This patent describes a small, implantable sensor designed to continuously measure specific chemicals in a patient's body fluids for disease management.
Original patent title: “Implantable micro-electrochemical cell”
This patent describes a small, implantable sensor designed to continuously measure specific chemicals in a patient's body fluids for disease management. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent details a microelectrochemical cell, a tiny device configured to be placed inside a patient's body. It includes a tube with a closed end for implantation and an open end that holds a 'feedthrough' for electrical wires, called 'electrode leads'. Inside this tube, a special fluid medium is kept in contact with the patient's bodily fluids. An 'analyte sensor' within this setup measures specific chemicals, or analytes, present in the body fluid, sending electrical signals through the leads to an external system. For example, such a device could continuously monitor glucose levels in a diabetic patient, providing real-time data.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover sensors that are not implanted, such as external or wearable patches that do not penetrate the skin.
- Does not cover sensors that measure physical properties like temperature or pressure, focusing specifically on chemical 'analytes'.
- Does not cover devices where the fluid medium is not in direct communication with the patient's bodily fluid.
- Does not cover implantable sensors that lack the specific tube structure with a closed implanted end and an open feedthrough end.
- Does not cover systems where the electrical connections for the sensor are not routed through a feedthrough at the open end of the tube.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific, compact design of the implantable microelectrochemical cell, which allows for a stable fluid interface with the body and a robust electrical connection for continuous, long-term chemical monitoring.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Dexcom G7 Continuous Glucose Monitor
Abbott FreeStyle Libre systems
Medtronic Guardian Connect system
Implantable lactate sensors for critical care
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Continuous monitoring of specific chemicals in the body, like glucose or lactate, is vital for managing many chronic diseases. This technology aims to provide long-term, real-time data directly from within the body, which can lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans. Such devices can help patients and doctors make immediate decisions, potentially preventing serious health complications.
Filed
October 27, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies like Dexcom, Abbott Laboratories, and Medtronic are major players in the field of continuous physiological monitoring, particularly for glucose. These companies are constantly innovating in implantable and wearable sensor technology to improve accuracy, longevity, and patient comfort. Startups in the biosensor space are also exploring similar micro-electrochemical approaches for detecting a wider range of biomarkers.
Market impact
While this specific patent is newly granted and its direct market impact is yet to be fully realized, the technology it describes is central to the rapidly expanding market for continuous health monitoring. Such advancements enable a shift from episodic health checks to real-time data streams, which can significantly improve disease management and patient outcomes. This patent contributes to the ongoing development of more sophisticated and less invasive implantable diagnostic tools.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent details a microelectrochemical cell, a tiny device configured to be placed inside a patient's body. It includes a tube with a closed end for implantation and an open end that holds a 'feedthrough' for electrical wires, called 'electrode leads'. Inside this tube, a special fluid medium is kept in contact with the patient's bodily fluids. An 'analyte sensor' within this setup measures specific chemicals, or analytes, present in the body fluid, sending electrical signals through the leads to an external system. For example, such a device could continuously monitor glucose levels in a diabetic patient, providing real-time data.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific, compact design of the implantable microelectrochemical cell, which allows for a stable fluid interface with the body and a robust electrical connection for continuous, long-term chemical monitoring.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover sensors that are not implanted, such as external or wearable patches that do not penetrate the skin.
- Does not cover sensors that measure physical properties like temperature or pressure, focusing specifically on chemical 'analytes'.
- Does not cover devices where the fluid medium is not in direct communication with the patient's bodily fluid.
- Does not cover implantable sensors that lack the specific tube structure with a closed implanted end and an open feedthrough end.
- Does not cover systems where the electrical connections for the sensor are not routed through a feedthrough at the open end of the tube.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$26K – $84K
Midpoint $53K · 16.0 yr remaining · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Tiny Implantable Sensor for Monitoring Body Chemistry (U.S. Patent No. 12,733,845). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12733845/implantable-micro-electrochemical-cell
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
Embed
Add this patent to your site
Drop this plain-English patent card into any blog post or article — free, no signup. It always links back to the full breakdown here.
<div data-patentlens-widget data-patent-number="US12733845"></div> <script src="https://patentbrief.org/embed.js" async></script>
Stay in the loop
Get a weekly digest of new patents.
One email per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keep exploring
Related patents you should know
US 4683195 · 1987
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to rapidly create many copies of a specific piece of DNA or RNA, enabling its detection and analysis.
Cetus Corp
US 8697359 · 2014
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
US 7657849 · 2010
How the iPhone's Slide-to-Unlock Gesture Works
Apple's 2010 patent describes unlocking a device by dragging a specific graphical image across the touchscreen along a predefined path, a gesture that became iconic with the original iPhone.
Apple Inc
US 4733665 · 1988
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
This patent describes the method for placing a permanent, expandable wire mesh tube inside a blood vessel or other body tube using a balloon-tipped catheter to widen it and keep it open.
Expandable Grafts Partnership
US 4965188 · 1990
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
This patent describes the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, a technique to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment using a heat-resistant enzyme and repeated temperature changes.
Cetus Corp
US 4235871 · 1980
How to Encapsulate Active Materials in Lipid Bubbles Efficiently
This patent describes a method for trapping biologically active substances inside tiny, multi-layered fat bubbles called liposomes, using a specific water-in-oil emulsion and gel-forming process to improve how much material gets captured.
Individual
More to explore
More in Biotech & Medicine
US 4683195 · 1987 · Cetus Corp
How to Make Billions of Copies of a DNA Segment
US 8697359 · 2014 · Massachusetts Institute of Technology
How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System
US 4733665 · 1988 · Expandable Grafts Partnership
How Doctors Implant a Permanent Stent Using a Balloon
US 4965188 · 1990 · Cetus Corp
How to Make Many Copies of a DNA Piece with Heat
New to patents?
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tiny Implantable Sensor for Monitoring Body Chemistry cover?
This patent describes a small, implantable sensor designed to continuously measure specific chemicals in a patient's body fluids for disease management.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Continuous monitoring of specific chemicals in the body, like glucose or lactate, is vital for managing many chronic diseases. This technology aims to provide long-term, real-time data directly from within the body, which can lead to more personalized and effective treatment plans. Such devices can help patients and doctors make immediate decisions, potentially preventing serious health complications.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover sensors that are not implanted, such as external or wearable patches that do not penetrate the skin.
Patent monitoring