RFID markers and systems and methods for identifying and locating them
First Claim
1. A system for identifying or locating a target region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
- a probe comprising one or more probe antennas for transmitting radiofrequency signals into a patient'"'"'s body and receiving backscatter signals transmitted from the patient'"'"'s body, and a light source for delivering optical signals into a patient'"'"'s body; and
a tag sized for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, the tag comprising a tag antenna, an energy converter configured to transform the optical signals from the light source into electrical energy, and a switch coupled to the energy converter such that the optical signals cause the tag to modulate backscatter signals transmitted by the tag antenna in response to the transmitted radiofrequency signals and received by the probe.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for identifying or locating a tag within a patient'"'"'s body that include a probe that transmits synchronized electromagnetic signals, e.g., RF energy, and optical signals, e.g., infrared light pulses into the patient'"'"'s body, whereupon the tag converts the optical signals into electrical energy to open and close a switch in the tag to modulate signals, e.g., backscatter signals, transmitted by the tag in response to the electromagnetic signals. For example, the tag may include photodiodes coupled to the switch that transforms the optical signals to alternately short the antenna to modulate the backscatter signals. Alternatively, the tag may include a smart circuit that harvests electrical energy from the optical signals to power the smart circuit and/or modulate the backscatter signals, e.g., to include data related to the tag and/or alternate the tag between an information mode and a distance mode.
57 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for identifying or locating a target region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a probe comprising one or more probe antennas for transmitting radiofrequency signals into a patient'"'"'s body and receiving backscatter signals transmitted from the patient'"'"'s body, and a light source for delivering optical signals into a patient'"'"'s body; and a tag sized for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, the tag comprising a tag antenna, an energy converter configured to transform the optical signals from the light source into electrical energy, and a switch coupled to the energy converter such that the optical signals cause the tag to modulate backscatter signals transmitted by the tag antenna in response to the transmitted radiofrequency signals and received by the probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for identifying or locating a target region within a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:
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a probe comprising one or more probe antennas for transmitting electromagnetic signals into a patient'"'"'s body and receiving signals from the patient'"'"'s body, and a light source for delivering optical signals into a patient'"'"'s body; and a tag sized for implantation within a patient'"'"'s body, the tag comprising a tag antenna, an energy converter configured to transform the optical signals from the light source into electrical energy, and a switch coupled to the energy converter such that the optical signals cause the tag to modulate electromagnetic signals transmitted by the tag antenna and received by the probe. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification