Multi-use linkage device

• US 7,164,360 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 01/16/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: El-Schieb Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Schiebler
• Inventors: Schiebler, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): King; Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/635,889
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,259 Days
• Field of Search: 248/74.3, 406/65, 24/16.PB, 340/572.9
• US Class Current: 340/572.9
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0482 Needle or suture guides guides for drills, pins or wire A61B17/17; for puncturing needles A61B17/3403
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0487 Suture clamps, clips or locks, e.g. for replacing suture knots; Instruments for applying or removing suture clamps, clips or locks suture anchors A61B17/0401; wound clamps or clips A61B17/08; ligaturing clamps or clips A61B17/122
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12009 Implements for ligaturing other than by clamps or clips, e.g. using a loop with a slip knot
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/122 Clamps or clips , e.g. for the umbilical cord for the vas deferens A61F6/206
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/128 for applying or removing clamps or clips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1325 with means for applying local pressure pressure pads A61F5/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1617 with mobile or detachable parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1624 Drive mechanisms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/82 for bone cerclage apparatus for manipulating wires or straps A61B17/8861; wires, bands or straps other than cerclage A61B17/842
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/823 for the sternum
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00893 pharmaceutically effective
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0404 Buttons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0461 with features cooperating with special features on the suture, e.g. protrusions on the suture
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/06176 with protrusions, e.g. barbs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3937 Visible markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3941 Photoluminescent markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/395 with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3966 : Radiopaque markers visible in an X-ray image
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/397 : electromagnetic other than visible, e.g. microwave
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3987 : Applicators for implanting markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/3991 : having specific anchoring means to fixate the marker to the tissue, e.g. hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/39 : Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/94 : coded with symbols, e.g. text
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/00 : Orthodontics, i.e. obtaining or maintaining the desired position of teeth, e.g. by straightening, evening, regulating, separating, or by correcting malocclusions
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/14 : Brackets A61C7/28 takes precedence; Fixing brackets to teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 7/18 : specially adapted to be fixed to teeth with a band; Bands therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0311 : having arrow-like sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0329 : having electronic sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0364 : having rotary sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/037 : having tie-wrap sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/0376 : using a special technique to detect tampering, e.g. by ultrasonic or optical means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/14 : by strings, straps, chains, or wires
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 : Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/496 : Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/499 : Resilient engaging means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/507 : Tag type

Abstract

A linkage device that can be connected with other linkage devices and to itself, the linkage device comprising a strip having a first end and a second end, a closure hub attached to the first end of the strip and having an opening to receive a second end and a locking mechanism within the closure hub, a connecting surface protruding from the strip operable to secure the second end within a closure device, and a tampering detection device connected to the linkage device.

Claims

1. A linkage device that can be connected with at least one of another linkage devices and to itself, said linkage device comprising:

(a) a strip having a first end and a second end;

(b) a closure hub attached to said first end of said strip and having an opening to receive at least one of the strip of another linkage device and the strip in of itself;

(c) a locking mechanism within said closure hub;

(d) a connecting surface protruding from said strip and operable to secure said second end within said closure hub;

(e) an application distinct tag connected to said linkage device; and

(f) wherein changes in said application distinct tag identify whether the linkage device has been tampered with.

2. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said device is made from biodegradable material.

3. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein information on said application distinct tag is detectable by photon activation.

4. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag further comprises electrically conductive material with a known resistance wherein said resistance will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

5. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag comprises a microchip which stores information.

6. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

7. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said hub comprises a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of strips.

8. The linkage device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of strips located on a plurality of surfaces of the hub.

9. The linkage device of claim 1 further comprising a signage area wherein when a plurality of linkage devices are connected a complete sign is formed.

10. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein the strip is of a length to allow the second end of the strip to connect to the opening in the closure hub.

11. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein the application distinct tag signifies a specific use.

12. The linkage device of claim 1 further comprising a power source.

13. The linkage device of claim 12 wherein said power source comprises at least one of a battery within said linkage device, an external power source, and inductive power supply wherein power is supplied by connecting said strip to said hub forming a conductive loop that can in turn have current induced within it from an external electromagnetic frequency flux.

14. The linkage device of claim 1 further comprising a power connection device to provide electrical power from a remote power source to said linkage device.

15. The linkage device of claim 14 wherein said power connection device provides power through said closure hub.

16. The linkage device of claim 14 wherein said power connection device provides power to said linkage device and said power is inductively captured for use when said strip and said hub are engaged.

17. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag comprises a microchip which stores information.

18. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

19. The linkage device of claim 1 wherein said application distinct tag further comprises electrically conductive material with a known resistance wherein said resistance will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

20. A linkage device that can be connected with at least one of another linkage devices and to itself, said linkage device comprising:

(a) a strip having a first end and a second end;

(b) a closure hub attached to said first end of said strip and having an opening to receive at least one of the strip in of itself and the strip of another linkage device;

(c) a locking mechanism within said closure hub;

(d) a connecting surface protruding from said strip and operable to secure said second end within said closure hub;

(e) an application distinct tag connected to said linkage device;

(f) wherein information on said application distinct tag is detectable by photon activation; and

(g) wherein said photon activation comprises at least one of laser photon activation, visible light photon activation, radio frequency photon activation, X-ray photon activation, and infrared photon activation.

21. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein the application distinct tag signifies a specific use.

22. The linkage device of claim 20 further comprising a power source.

23. The linkage device of claim 22 wherein said power source comprises at least one of a battery within said linkage device, an external power source, and inductive power supply wherein power is supplied by connecting said strip to said hub forming a conductive loop that can in turn have current induced within it from an external electromagnetic frequency flux.

24. The linkage device of claim 20 further comprising a power connection device to provide electrical power from a remote power source to said linkage device.

25. The linkage device of claim 24 wherein said power connection device provides power through said closure hub.

26. The linkage device of claim 24 wherein said power connection device provides power to said linkage device and said power is inductively captured for use when said strip and said hub are engaged.

27. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag comprises a microchip which stores information.

28. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

29. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said device is made from biodegradable material.

30. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag further comprises electrically conductive material with a known resistance wherein said resistance will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

31. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag comprises a microchip which stores information.

32. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

33. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said hub comprises a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of strips.

34. The linkage device of claim 20 further comprising a plurality of strips located on a plurality of surfaces of the hub.

35. The linkage device of claim 20 further comprising a signage area wherein when a plurality of linkage devices are connected a complete sign is formed.

36. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein the strip is of a length to allow the second end of the strip to connect to the opening in the closure hub.

37. The linkage device of claim 20 wherein said application distinct tag further comprises electrically conductive material with a known resistance wherein said resistance will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

38. A linkage device that can be connected with at least one of another linkage devices and to itself, said linkage device comprising:

(a) a strip having a first end and a second end;

(b) a closure hub attached to said first end of said strip and having an opening to receive at least one of the strip in of itself and the strip of another linkage device;

(c) a locking mechanism within said closure hub;

(d) a connecting surface protruding from said strip and operable to secure said second end within said closure hub;

(e) an application distinct tag connected to said linkage device; and

(f) wherein said application distinct tag further comprises a plurality of fiber optic strands within said linkage device wherein said strands possess unique frequency characteristics which will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

39. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein the application distinct tag signifies a specific use.

40. The linkage device of claim 38 further comprising a power source.

41. The linkage device of claim 40 wherein said power source comprises at least one of a battery within said linkage device, an external power source, and inductive power supply wherein power is supplied by connecting said strip to said hub forming a conductive loop that can in turn have current induced within it from an external electromagnetic frequency flux.

42. The linkage device of claim 38 further comprising a power connection device to provide electrical power from a remote power source to said linkage device.

43. The linkage device of claim 42 wherein said power connection device provides power through said closure hub.

44. The linkage device of claim 42 wherein said power connection device provides power to said linkage device and said power is inductively captured for use when said strip and said hub are engaged.

45. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said application distinct tag comprises a microchip which stores information.

46. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

47. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said device is made from biodegradable material.

48. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said application distinct tag further comprises electrically conductive material with a known resistance wherein said resistance will change when said linkage device is tampered with.

49. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said application distinct tag emits a signal which is used to determine a location of said linkage device.

50. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein said hub comprises a plurality of openings to receive a plurality of strips.

51. The linkage device of claim 38 further comprising a plurality of strips located on a plurality of surfaces of the hub.

52. The linkage device of claim 38 further comprising a signage area wherein when a plurality of linkage devices are connected a complete sign is formed.

53. The linkage device of claim 38 wherein the strip is of a length to allow the second end of the strip to connect to the opening in the closure hub.