Patents Assigned to LipoMatrix Incorporated
  • Patent number: 5977431
    Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then associated with or mounted to virtually any living tissue implant for implantation in a human. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's progress and use for medical as well as legal reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Lipomatrix, Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry R. Knapp, John Steuart
  • Patent number: 5855609
    Abstract: A passive electrical transponder may be encoded with a code corresponding to medical information, and the transponder directly transplanted in a patient's underarm area. Medical devices may also carry transponders to identify them for use with the system of the present invention. The code may be accessed with an electromagnetic hand held reader which is brought into proximity of the transponder. The medical information may itself be directly encoded into the transponder, or a code used which is then keyed to a corresponding data entry in a data bank or computerized data base accessible over telecommunication lines. With this invention, medical information may be reliably and confidentially recorded, maintained, and accessed with minimal patient involvement in order to achieve a high degree of reliability and accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Lipomatrix, Incorporated (BVI)
    Inventor: Terry R. Knapp
  • Patent number: 5824081
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tissue implant having visco-elastic characteristics which simulate the natural tissue that is intended to be augmented or replaced. The implant is comprised of a shell or envelope enclosing a compound foam body and a fluid filler material. Both the foam body and the fluid filler are should be biocompatible and preferably are substantially radiolucent using standard mammographic materials and protocols. The compound foam body is of elastomeric cellular foam materials. Intercellular communication of the fluid filler provides a hydraulic mechanism for imparting shape and tissue-like consistency to the implant. The compound foam body has multiple regions, each region having a different cellular density, for simulating the tactile characteristics of the natural tissue that the implant is intended to augment or replace. The implant may also have a cavity in the compound foam body configured for providing a hydraulic reservoir for the fluid filler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: LipoMatrix Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry R. Knapp, Winston A. Andrews, Pierre Comte
  • Patent number: 5716407
    Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then associated with or mounted to virtually any living tissue implant for implantation in a human. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's progress and use for medical as well as legal reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Lipomatrix, Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry R. Knapp, John Steuart
  • Patent number: 5653758
    Abstract: A temporarily implantable organ displacement implant is comprised of a bladder with a one-way valve for being filled with a fluid for displacement of a healthy organ from a tissue site desired to be irradiated by radiation therapy. This organ displacement implant is substantially radiolucent which thereby facilitates its placement and minimizes its interference with the radiation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: LipoMatrix, Incorporated
    Inventors: John R. Daniels, Terry R. Knapp
  • Patent number: 5545220
    Abstract: A method for forming an open cell texturized surface in a silicone elastomer layer of a breast implant, or other medical implant, is created by forming a layer of uncured silicone elastomer, applying a coating of particles to the surface thereof, and curing the layer by heating it at an elevated temperature which also volatilizes the particles such that their constituent gases boil through the surface of the layer and create the texturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Lipomatrix Incorporated
    Inventors: Winston A. Andrews, David Nelson, Richard W. Novy
  • Patent number: 5300120
    Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a number or code of up to 64 binary bits and then mounted to virtually any prosthesis implanted in a human, such as a breast implant. After implantation, the transponder's code may be conveniently read with a hand held electromagnetic reader which may merely be brought within proximity of the transponder. The encoded transponder may thus be read in a non-invasive procedure and without the use of any sophisticated or potentially harmful medical equipment or technology such as X-ray. The information encoded in the transponder may correspond to patient demographics and implant data to aid in tracking the implant's manufacturer and use for medical as well as legal reasons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: LipoMatrix Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry R. Knapp, Thomas L. Monsees, Winston A. Andrews