Implantable cell/tissue-based biosensing device

Patent Number: 7,519,409

The current patent covers a device useful for detecting chemicals in a patient, with the device being implantable.  Practically the device claimed is used for implantation into the heart and provides information via electrical signals as to the chemical environment based on changes to the "biosensing" cells. 

In its first claim, the patent covers "a biosensor device for sensing an analyte in a patient, the biosensor device comprising: a biosensing recognition element capable of interacting with the analyte and carrying out a response to electrical stimulation that is alterable upon interaction with the analyte; an electrical interface contacting the biosensing recognition element; stimulation circuitry, associated with the electrical interface, for delivering the electrical stimulation to the biosensing recognition element; and sensing circuitry, associated with the electrical interface, for sensing the response of the biosensing recognition element to the electrical stimulation"

Notice how the claim is not restricted to cardiac or even to cell type that is used for biosensing.

View this patent on the USPTO website.