Patent ID: 8591416

Claim:
A sensor system, comprising: a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal indicative of a physiological characteristic of a patient, the sensor including a plurality of electrodes that are implanted or disposed subcutaneously within the patient's body so as to be in contact with the patient's bodily fluids; and a sensor electronics device that is coupled to the sensor and includes: a DC source coupled to a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes and configured to supply a DC signal to said first electrode for assessing hydration of said plurality of electrodes; a resistance measuring device configured to measure a resistance within the sensor and to transmit a hydration signal if the resistance is below a threshold resistance; an electrical detection circuit that receives the hydration signal and generates an interrupt; and a microcontroller that receives the interrupt from the electrical detection circuit and transmits a signal representative of a voltage that is to be applied to a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes to generate said sensor signal.