Crystal-controlled telemetry system for long-term acquisition of physiological data

Abstract

A crystal-controlled telemetry system was developed for long-term high-reliability recording of blood pressure in unrestrained animals. The miniaturized transducer-transmitter system is powered by two lithium batteries that allow for more than 200 h of continuous recording of blood pressure before battery replacement. The total system has a flat frequency response of 0-25 Hz and a time stability of +/- 1 mmHg/day. Linearity is better than 0.5%. The high degree of dependability of the system permits us to perform continuous, unattended, around-the-clock recordings of pressure and heart rate in unrestrained animals. Very high dependability is achieved by the use of a novel piezoresistive blood pressure transducer and by the inherent stability of the crystal-controlled radio-frequency oscillator of the transmitter. The receiver is also crystal tuned to the measured transmitter frequency. This transmitter-receiver frequency locking ensures very reliable reception of the telemetered signal.