Method of data communication with implanted device and associated apparatus
First Claim
1. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprisingproviding an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses through ionic fluid in said biological tissue in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and effecting said communication in a synchronous manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus and method of communicating data employing current pulses transmitted by an implanted device through living biological tissue to an external device. The method also contemplates transmission of current pulses from the external device through living biological tissue to an implanted device. Uniquely configured antenna electrodes are preferably employed in the implanted device. Increase in signal-to-noise ratio is achieved through synchronization. The method may be employed in diagnostic, therapeutic and general monitoring activities in connection with human beings.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses through ionic fluid in said biological tissue in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and effecting said communication in a synchronous manner.
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17. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna and said second antenna, implanting said implanted device in a living patient, implanting said implanted device in a human being, effecting said communication both from said first antenna to second antenna and from said second antenna to said first antenna, effecting said communication in a synchronous manner, and employing heart pulses of said human being as a clock in synchronizing said communications.
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18. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and establishing the distance between said first antenna and said second antenna at less than about 15 cm.
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19. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and employing in said first antenna a pair of electrically conductive concave shells having their concave surfaces facing in generally opposed directions from each other.
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22. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and providing said first circuit components on an electronic chip.
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26. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and protectively encapsulating said implanted device with a resinous material.
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27. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, and said implantable device having a width of less than about 12 mm, a length of less than about 12 mm and a thickness of less than about 4 mm.
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28. A method of data communication between an implanted device and an external device comprising
providing an implanted device having a first antenna and first circuit components operatively associated therewith, providing an external device having a second antenna and an associated microprocessor, positioning said first antenna and said second antenna with living biological tissue therebetween, effecting communication between said implanted device and said external device to establish current pulses in at least one direction between said first antenna electrode and said second antenna electrode, implanting said implanted device in a living patient, implanting said implanted device in a human being, effecting said communication both from said first antenna to second antenna and from said second antenna to said first antenna, providing a microprocessor as one of said first circuit components, providing at least one sensor as one of said first circuit components, and employing said external device to transmit a current pulse to cause said internal device to transmit data, said internal device responsively transmitting said data to said external device, and said transmissions being effected at times other than the period of R-waves of an electrocardiogram.
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30. Apparatus for volume conduction between an implantable device and an external device, comprising
an implantable device having a first antenna and first circuit components for transmitting current pulses through living biological tissue and receiving current pulses therethrough, a second antenna for transmitting current pulses through living biological tissue and receiving current therethrough, said first circuit components including a first microprocessor, said external device having a second microprocessor, said first antenna being a directional antenna, and said apparatus being structured for directional data communication.
Specification