Patent ID: 7686762

Claim:
A miniature self contained sensor module adapted for use in medical applications, the sensor module comprising: a first substrate defining an exterior surface of the sensor module and comprising a cavity having an opening at a surface of the first substrate; a second substrate within the cavity of the first substrate; at least one miniature sensor supported by the first substrate and exposed on the exterior surface of the sensor module to sense a physiological parameter surrounding the sensor module; electronics within the cavity, the electronics comprising an inductor coil and an integrated circuit die, the electronics being adapted to receive operating power from a magnetic field with the inductor coil, condition a sensor signal, and transmit a conditioned sensor signal to an external signal detection system via magnetic telemetry; electrical connections interconnecting the sensor with the electronics, at least a portion of the electrical connections being on the second substrate; and means for hermetically sealing the opening of the cavity and enclosing the electronics, the second substrate and the electrical connections within the cavity, wherein at least a portion of the sensor is exposed outside the hermetic sealing means for sensing the physiological parameter surrounding the sensor module.