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US 6,170,488 B2Granted
Acoustic-based remotely interrogated diagnostic implant device and system
AssigneeThe B. F. Goodrich Company
InventorsWilliam B. Spillman, Jr., Eric M. Weissman, Elmer D. Dickens, Jr.
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Abstract
A device and system for remotely interrogating a diagnostic implant device utilizes acoustic energy to power and/or interrogate the device. Acoustic energy is utilized to excite the device from outside the body of a patient. By analyzing the response of the device to such excitation, it is possible to ascertain the condition of the device. Additionally, acoustic energy may be used to provide operating power to the device.
Claims22
An implant device to be implanted within a living animal, comprising:
- a structure implantable within the living animal;
- and
- a sensor comprised in the structure and operatively configured to sense at least one biological parameter associated with the living animal,
- wherein the sensor is responsive to acoustic waves provided from outside the living animal to produce an output indicative of the sensed at least one biological parameter, the structure being configured to transmit the output so that the output may be received from outside the living animal.
1 more element
A diagnostic system, comprising:
- a structure implantable within a living animal and operatively configured to carry out or assist in carrying out a function within the living animal, the structure exhibiting a mechanical transfer function which, in response to mechanical excitation, causes the structure to produce an acoustic signal having a characteristic which is modulated in relation to a parameter associated with the carrying out the function;
- an exciter for acoustically transferring mechanical energy to the structure from outside the living animal;
- and
- a receiver located outside the living animal which detects the acoustic signal produced by the structure, processes the acoustic signal in relation to the mechanical transfer function, and provides an output indicative of the parameter based on the processed acoustic signal.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.