Transponders and sensors for implantable medical devices and methods of use thereof
AssigneeEstablishment Labs S.A.
InventorsRandolph Keith Geissler, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, Juan José Chacón Quirós, Steven A. Lewis
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Abstract
Implantable transponders comprising no ferromagnetic parts for use in medical implants are disclosed herein. Such transponders may assist in preventing interference of transponders with medical imaging technologies. Such transponders may optionally be of a small size, and may assist in collecting and transmitting data and information regarding implanted medical devices. Methods of using such transponders, readers for detecting such transponders, and methods for using such readers are also described.
Claims28
A method for broadcasting a signal using a portable reader, the method comprising:
- broadcasting, in a range of an antenna of a medical device, radio frequency signals across a sweep of frequencies using the reader;
- evaluating a signal strength of each return signal received by the reader from the medical device;
- determining a frequency of a broadcasted radio frequency signal corresponding to the received return signal having the greatest signal strength;
- and
- broadcasting a radio frequency signal at the determined frequency using the reader;
- wherein the medical device does not include a ferromagnetic material.
A system for broadcasting a signal, the system comprising:
- a reader comprising:
- a microcontroller;
- and
- at least one antenna;
- wherein the microcontroller is programmed with instructions for performing steps of a method, the method comprising:
- broadcasting, in the range of an antenna of a medical device, radio frequency signals across a sweep of frequencies, wherein the medical device does not include a ferromagnetic material;
- evaluating a signal strength of each return signal received from the medical device;
- determining a frequency of a broadcasted radio frequency signal corresponding to the received return signal having the greatest signal strength;
- and
- broadcasting a radio frequency signal at the determined frequency.
A method for broadcasting a signal using a portable reader, the method comprising:
- broadcasting, in a range of an antenna of a medical device, radio frequency signals across a sweep of frequencies using a signal driver and an antenna of the reader;
- receiving, using the antenna of the reader, return signals from the medical device;
- amplifying, using a logarithmic amplifier of the reader, return signals from the medical device which are below a threshold;
- converting, using an analog-to-digital converter of the reader, received return signals and amplified signals into digital values;
- evaluating, using a microcontroller of the reader, the digital values to determine the strongest return signal or signals;
- determining a frequency of a broadcasted radio frequency signal corresponding to the strongest received return signal or signals from the medical device;
- and
- broadcasting, using the signal driver and antenna of the reader, a radio frequency signal at the determined frequency.
A reader for locating a port of a tissue expander, the port including an antenna, wherein the reader comprises:
- a microcontroller;
- and
- at least one antenna;
- wherein the microcontroller is programmed with instructions for performing steps of a method, the method comprising:
- broadcasting, in the range of the antenna of the port, signals across a sweep of frequencies;
- evaluating a signal strength of each return signal received from the port;
- and
- determining a proximity of the reader to the port based on the signal strength of the return signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.