Remotely interrogated implant device with sensor for detecting accretion of biological matter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An implant device, comprising:
- a structure implantable within a living animal and configured to assist in carrying out a biological function within the living animal;
a sensor included as part of the structure, the sensor being operatively configured to detect sound occurring as a result of the biological function within the living animal and to produce an output indicative thereof; and
a communication element included as part of the structure and operatively coupled to the output of the sensor, the communication element being configured to communicate the biological function sound information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.
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Abstract
An implant device which includes a structure implantable within a living animal and a sensor included as part of the structure. The sensor is operatively configured to detect accretion of biological material on the sensor by producing an output which varies as a function of the accretion of biological material on the sensor. A communication element is further included as part of the structure and is operatively coupled to the output of the sensor. The communication element is configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal.
66 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An implant device, comprising:
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a structure implantable within a living animal and configured to assist in carrying out a biological function within the living animal;
a sensor included as part of the structure, the sensor being operatively configured to detect sound occurring as a result of the biological function within the living animal and to produce an output indicative thereof; and
a communication element included as part of the structure and operatively coupled to the output of the sensor, the communication element being configured to communicate the biological function sound information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An implant device, comprising:
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a structure implantable within a living animal, the structure comprising an artificial joint;
a sensor included as part of the structure, the sensor being operatively configured to detect wear in the artificial joint and to produce an output indicative of the wear; and
a communication element included as part of the structure and operatively coupled to the output of the sensor, the communication element being configured to communicate information based on the output of the sensor wirelessly to a remote element located outside the living animal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification