Patent ID: 8424388

Claim:
An implantable capacitive pressure sensor apparatus, comprising: a first pressure sensor portion comprising a diaphragm electrode connectable to ground, wherein the diaphragm electrode is positioned in close proximity to the body when implanted therein such that the diaphragm electrode is deformable in response to pressure applied thereto by the body; and a second pressure sensor portion comprising: a signal electrode, wherein the first pressure sensor portion and the second pressure sensor portion provide a gap between the diaphragm electrode and the signal electrode, and an insulator material, wherein the signal electrode is provided on and in direct contact with the insulator material to electrically isolate the signal electrode such that parasitic capacitance effects on the signal electrode caused by electrical activity in the body when the pressure sensor apparatus is implanted therein are reduced, and further wherein the diaphragm electrode is grounded when the implantable pressure sensor apparatus is implanted in the body to shield the signal electrode from electrical activity in the body.