Medical implant device with RFID tag and method of identification of device

• US 7,333,013 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Data Trace Publishing Company
• Original Assignee: Data Trace Publishing Company
• Inventors: Berger, J. Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Benjamin C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hunnings; Travis R.
• Application Number:
  US10/840,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20050247319A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.12, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 235/375, 235/376, 235/385, 600/300, 607/2
• US Class Current: 340/539.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/08 Sensors provided with means for identification, e.g. barcodes or memory chips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

The present invention is directed a method of making an interactive medical implant device including a radio frequency identification tag mounted to an implant, the tag being covered with a liquid impermeable seal. Identification of the RFID tag allows the physician to identify the specific identified implant with a an instrument model or patient database and allows the physician access to desired pertinent information regarding the medical implant device.

Claims

1. A method of making an interactive medical sterile orthopaedic implant, comprising the steps of:

a) placing a microelectronics assembly, including an RFID integrated circuit, an antenna, and one or more interconnections operatively connecting said circuit and said antenna and a wave form generator connected to said integrated circuit on a sterile orthopedic implant;

b) inserting said sterile orthopaedic implant into a patient;

c) activating said generator to generate electronic energy in the range of 20-50 microamps in the patient for a period of time to accelerate healing in the patient; and

d) repeating step c) a plurality of times during the implant healing process.

2. A sterile orthopaedic medical implant comprising a sterile medical orthopedic implant, an RFID tag including a chip having an integrated circuit and an antenna connected to said integrated circuit-secured to said orthopaedic implant, and a biocompatible cover placed over said RFID tag and secured to said chip which is impermeable to liquid precluding liquid from engaging said RFID tag, a sterile generator connected to said integrated circuit and mounted on said implant which when energized generates electronic energy in the range of 20-50 microamps to accelerate healing of tissue in the patient receiving said sterile medical orthopedic implant.

3. A sterile medical implant in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sterile medical orthopaedic implant is taken from a group consisting of implants for joint replacement, implants for hip replacement, implants for knee replacement, implantable spinal cages, implantable spinal plates, implantable bone plates, implantable rods, implantable nails, implantable bone screws and implantable bone stents.

4. A sterile medical implant in accordance with claim 2 wherein said RFID integrated circuit is in electrical connection with a sterile pressure sensing means.

5. A sterile medical implant in accordance with claim 2 wherein said RFID integrated circuit is in electrical connection with a sterile chemical sensing means.

6. A sterile medical implant in accordance with claim 2 wherein said RFID integrated circuit is in electrical connection with a sterile microorganism sensing means.

7. A sterile medical implant in accordance with claim 2 wherein said RFID integrated circuit is in electrical connection with a sterile temperature sensing means.