Method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons
First Claim
1. An implantable apparatus for use in a system for locating and tracking a person, comprising:
- a power source;
an individual identifier that allows for only said device to be triggered into positioning-related activities;
a triggering and positioning mechanism that functions in conjunction with external systems which are completely or in part ground-based, air-based, water-based, or satellite-based, or a combination thereof and which use, but are not limited to, any of radiofrequency, cellular, sound, light, and/or television wave analog and/or digital technology, for positioning and device triggering to provide any of positioning and non-positioning information;
a receiver;
a transmitter;
wherein gross anatomic siting of said apparatus within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and
means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said apparatus within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons by use of an implantable device. The described invention is an implant able device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs. The gross anatomic siting of the device includes any limb, the torso, including back and perineum, the neck, and the head. The surgical anatomic siting of the device includes: (1) Supramuscular: for example, deep to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, on or attached to muscle and/or muscle fascia. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available buried intravenous access ports, which are positioned on, and attached to, the pectoralis major muscle fascia; (2) Intramuscular: for example, within or between the muscles of a limb; (3) Submuscular: for example, deep to a large muscle. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available artificial urethral and anal sphincter reservoirs, which are positioned deep to the rectus abdominus muscles, within the pre-peritoneal Space of Retzius; (4) Intraluminal: for example, within the lumen of an organ which has a naturally occurring orifice. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available ingested video endoscopy capsule devices, i.e. gastrointestinal tract lumen, and intrauterine contraceptive devices, i.e. uterus lumen; and (5) Intracavitary: for example, intrathoracic or intraperitoneal. Such an intraperitoneal location is currently used for implantation of commercially available intraperitoneal dialysis catheters.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. An implantable apparatus for use in a system for locating and tracking a person, comprising:
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a power source; an individual identifier that allows for only said device to be triggered into positioning-related activities; a triggering and positioning mechanism that functions in conjunction with external systems which are completely or in part ground-based, air-based, water-based, or satellite-based, or a combination thereof and which use, but are not limited to, any of radiofrequency, cellular, sound, light, and/or television wave analog and/or digital technology, for positioning and device triggering to provide any of positioning and non-positioning information; a receiver; a transmitter; wherein gross anatomic siting of said apparatus within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said apparatus within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A locating and tracking apparatus, comprising:
a positioning and locating device having a unique device identification, wherein said device reposes in a dormant or semi-dormant state, wherein said device comprises an implantable device; wherein when said device is active, it receives data or signals related to positioning from said positioning source and transmits a signal to be used for positioning; wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said device within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An apparatus for locating and tracking a person, comprising:
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a human implantable locating and tracking device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs; wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said device within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.
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33. An apparatus for locating and tracking a person relative to a positioning source, comprising:
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a positioning and locating device implanted within said person and composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs, wherein said device reposes in a dormant or semi-dormant state within said person; an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs, said mechanism receives an action signal at said device from a remote activation source, and as a result of which said mechanism triggers said device; wherein when said device is active, it transmits a signal to be used for positioning; and wherein gross anatomic siting of said device within said person comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said device within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
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36. An implantable communication apparatus comprising:
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a signalling device having a unique identification by which said device triggered from a dormant or semi-dormant state; and an activation mechanism associated with said device, wherein when an activation event occurs said mechanism receives an action signal at said device; wherein when said device is active it sends signals representative or local events to a remote location; wherein said device comprises an implantable device, wherein gross anatomic siting of said device is within a person and comprises any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and means specifically adapted for surgical fixation of said device within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramuscular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.
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37. A method for locating and tracking a person, comprising the steps of:
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providing a human implantable locating and tracking device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs; establishing gross anatomic siting of said device within said person at any of the person'"'"'s limb, torso, neck, and head; and surgically fixing said device within said person at a non-subcutaneous location that comprises any of supramusoular, intramuscular, submuscular, intraluminal, and intracavitary locations.
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Specification