Abstract:
A passive electrical transponder (20) may be encoded with a code corresponding to medical information, and the transponder (20) directly transplanted in a patient's underarm area (22). The information may then be accessed with an electromagnetic hand held reader (26) which is brought into proximity of the transponder (20). The medical information may itself be directly encoded into the transponder (20), or a code used which is then keyed to a corresponding data entry in a data bank (30) accessible over telecommunication lines (32). With this invention, medical information may be reliably recorded, maintained, and accessed with minimal patient involvement in order to achieve a high degree of reliability and accuracy.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a tissue implant having visco-elastic characteristics which simulate the natural tissue that is intended to be augmented or replaced. The implant is comprised of a shell or envelope enclosing a compound foam body and a fluid filler material. Both the foam body and the fluid filler should be biocompatible and preferably are substantially radiolucent using standard mammographic materials and protocols. The compound foam body is of elastomeric cellular foam materials. Intercellular communication of the fluid filler provides a hydraulic mechanism for imparting shape and tissue-like consistency to the implant. The compound foam body has multiple regions, each region having a different cellular density, for simulating the tactile characteristics of the natural tissue that the implant is intended to augment or replace. The implant may also have a cavity in the compound foam body configured for providing a hydraulic reservoir for the fluid filler. The resiliency of the compound foam body permits realistic elastic deformation, in response to external pressure, and "rebound" following such deformation.
Abstract:
A filler material for a surgically implantable prosthesis comprised of a synthetic triglyceride having a viscosity substantially greater than that of naturally occurring triglycerides is provided. The triglyceride composition is formed of saturated alkyl chains to reduce or limit the potential for oxidation of the alkyl chains to form peroxide groups which adversely affect the biocompatibility of the filler material and the implant. Preferably, the filler material has a viscosity substantially the equivalent of a normal human breast. The synthetic triglyceride filler material may also have a lower viscosity which is a liquid at room temperature for use in inflatable devices. Prostheses containing filler material having the desired viscosity and antioxidation characteristics are also provided as well as a method for preparing the filler material.
Abstract:
A passive transponder (28) may be encoded with a binary number or code of 64 bits or more and then associated with or mounted to virtually any implant intended for implantation in a human including temporary implants such as drug release implants (130) and organ displacement devices (134). After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand-held electromagnetic reader (34) which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder (28). The encoded transponder (28) may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-rays. Where the position of the implant in the human changes over time, or is otherwise unknown to attending medical personnel, the transponder and implant can be located by using a strength of signal indicator on the electromagnetic reader (34). The information encoded in the transponder may simply be a tag for locating the implant, or may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant and patient for medical as well as legal reasons.
Abstract:
A temporarily implantable organ displacement implant (20) is comprised of a bladder (22) with a one-way valve (26) for being filled with a fluid for displacement of a healthy organ from a tissue site desired to be irradiated by radiation therapy. The organ displacement implant (20) is substantially radiolucent which thereby facilitates its placement and minimizes its interference with the radiation therapy.
Abstract:
A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code up to 64 binary bits and then associated with or mounted to virtually any living tissue implant for implantation in a human. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's progress and use for medical as well as legal reasons. The living tissue can be living organ from a donor transplanted into a recipient patient.
Abstract:
A method for forming an open cell texturized surface in a silicone elastomer layer of a breast implant, or other medical implant, is created by forming a layer of uncured silicone elastomer, applying a coating of particles to the surface thereof, and curing the layer by heating it at an elevated temperature which also volatilizes the particles such that their constituent gases boil through the surface of the layer and create the texturing.
Abstract:
A passive transponder (28) may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then mounted to virtually any prosthesis implanted in a human, such as a breast implant. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader (24) which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder (28). The encoded transponder (28) may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder (28) may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's manufacturer and use for medical as well as legal reasons.
Abstract:
A biosensing transponder for implantation in an organism including a human comprises a biosensor for sensing one or more physical properties related to the organism after the device has been implanted, including optical, mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical properties, and a transponder for wirelessly transmitting data corresponding to the sensed parameter value to a remote reader. Disclosed embodiments utilize temperature sensors, strain sensors, pressure sensors, magnetic sensors, acceleration sensors, ionizing radiation sensors, acoustic wave sensors, chemical sensors including direct chemical sensors and dye based chemical sensors, and photosensors including imagers and integrated spectrophotometers. The transponder includes an energy coupler for wirelessly energizing the device with a remote energy source, and a control circuit for controlling and accessing the biosensor and for storing identifying data. The energy coupler can be an inductive circuit for coupling electromagnetic energy, a photoelectric transducer for coupling optical energy, or a piezoelectric transducer for coupling ultrasonic energy. The control circuit can be configured to delay, either randomly or by a fixed period of time, transmission of data indicative of the sensed parameter value to thereby prevent a data collision with an adjacent like device. Methods for using an implantable biosensing transponder include the steps of associating the device with an implant, including temporary implants, prostheses, and living tissue implants, physically attaching the device to a flexible catheter, sensing parameter values in an organism, and transmitting data corresponding to the sensed parameter values to a remote reader.
Abstract:
A passive transponder (20) implanted in a patient's underarm area (22) may be encoded with a code corresponding to the patient´s identity and to medical information. The code may be accessed with an electromagnetic hand-held reader (26) which is brought into proximity of the transponder (20). The medical information may itself be directly encoded into the transponder (20), or a code used which is then keyed to a corresponding data entry in a data bank (30) accessible over telecommunication lines. Medical information may be reliably and confidentially recorded, maintained, and accessed with minimal patient involvement and may be centrally collected over an extended time period and analyzed to generate recall notices, provide generalized health information and improve health care for all participants.