An implantable sensor device, such as a pressure monitor, is implanted in
the left ventricle (LV), in other heart chambers, or elsewhere, from
which it wirelessly communicates pressure information to a remote
communication device. The sensor device can be implanted using a
placement catheter, an endoscope, or a laparoscope. The device can be
secured entirely within the LV or heart wall, such as by using a
corkscrew, a helical anchor, a harpoon, a threaded member, a hook, a
barb, a fastener, a suture, or a mesh or coating for receiving fibrous
tissue growth. The implantable sensor device provides less invasive
chronic measurements of left ventricular blood pressure or other physical
parameters. The wireless communication techniques include
radio-telemetry, inductive coupling, passive transponders, and using the
body as a conductor (referred to as "intracorporeal conductive
communication" or a "personal area network"). Data from the receiver is
downloadable into a computer for analysis or display.