MONITORING OF IMPLANTS AND OTHER DEVICES

• US 20100269837A1
• Filed: 03/26/2010
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Seventh Sense Biosystems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Seventh Sense Biosystems, Inc.
• Inventors: Langer, Robert S., Levinson, Douglas A.
• Application Number:
  US12/748,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20100269837A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/899
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/042 characterised by a proximal camera, e.g. a CCD camera
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/145 Measuring characteristics of blood in vivo, e.g. gas concentration, pH value; Measuring characteristics of body fluids or tissues, e.g. interstitial fluid, cerebral tissuemeasuring of blood pressure or blood flow A61B5/02; non-radiation detecting or locating of foreign bodies in blood A61B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14532 for measuring glucose, e.g. by tissue impedance measurement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14539 for measuring pH
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1455 using optical sensors, e.g. spectral photometrical oximeters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1473 invasive, e.g. introduced into the body by a catheter A61B5/1482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/411 Detecting or monitoring allergy or intolerance reactions to an allergenic agent or substance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6846 specially adapted to be brought in contact with an internal body part, i.e. invasive
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/488 Means for detecting or monitoring wear
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/232 Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides, lipopolysaccharides
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/252 Polypeptides, proteins, e.g. glycoproteins, lipoproteins, cytokines
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/442 Colorants, dyes
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/50 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 27/54 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L27/227 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to implants and, in particular, to systems and methods for monitoring the condition of an implant within a subject. In some embodiments, an implant may be prepared that contains a tracer. After implantation, the tracer from the implant may be determined within a subject using any suitable method, depending on the tracer. As an example, the tracer may be determined by administering an indicator able to interact with the tracer to the subject. For instance, the indicator may be applied to the skin of the subject, and the indicator may give a different visual appearance based on the tracer, or otherwise exhibits a determinable change in a property of the indicator. Other aspects of the invention are generally directed to methods of making or using implants, methods of promoting the making or use of such implants, kits involving such implants, or the like.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining a condition of an implant within a subject by determining a tracer released by the implant.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer is determined by exposing the tracer to an indicator.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the tracer is exposed to the indicator internally of the subject.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the tracer is exposed to the indicator externally of the subject.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicator comprises particles.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein fluid is removed from the subject, and exposed to the indicator.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicator is administered to the subject.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the indicator is administered into the skin of the subject.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicator is immobilized within the subject.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer is released from the implant upon damage to the implant.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer is released from the implant as the implant ages.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer is released from the implant as the implant wears.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer is released from the implant by directing an external signal at the implant.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the external signal comprises a radio signal.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a breast implant.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a pacemaker.

31. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a bone implant.

32. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a heart implant.

33. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a heart valve.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a hip implant.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a stent.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the implant is a prosthetic.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the subject is human.

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer comprises a protein.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer comprises inulin.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the tracer has a molecular weight of less than about 1000 Da.

6-17. -17. (canceled)

22-23. -23. (canceled)

38-42. -42. (canceled)

46-47. -47. (canceled)

48. A method, comprising:

administering, to a subject having implanted therein an implant containing a tracer, particles responsive to the tracer.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a breast implant.

51. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a pacemaker.

52. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a bone implant.

53. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a heart implant.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a heart valve.

55. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a hip implant.

56. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a stent.

57. The method of claim 48, wherein the implant is a prosthetic.

58. The method of claim 48, wherein the particles are administered to the skin of the subject.

59. The method of claim 48, further comprising determining a condition of an implant by determining the particles.

65. The method of claim 48, wherein the tracer comprises a protein.

66. The method of claim 48, wherein the tracer has a molecular weight of less than about 1000 Da.

67. The method of claim 48, wherein the tracer is released from the implant upon damage to the implant.

68. The method of claim 48, wherein the tracer is released from the implant as the implant ages.

69. The method of claim 48, wherein the tracer is released from the implant as the implant wears.

49. (canceled)

60-64. -64. (canceled)

70. (canceled)

71. A kit, comprising;

an implant containing a tracer; and

a skin delivery device containing particles responsive to the tracer.

72-74. -74. (canceled)