Abstract: A biochemical sensor based on ball integrated circuit technology which is designed to be biocompatible for implantation within a human or animal body. A sensor media is mounted to the ball integrated circuit, the sensor media operable for sensing biochemical molecules. An onboard communication link transmits data sensed by the sensor media from the ball integrated circuit.

Abstract: A substantially spherical semiconductor ball implanted in orthopedic structures for sensing and/or stimulation. In one embodiment, a vertebral column (800) having a number of intervertebral discs (802) interspersed among respective vertebral bodies (804), material placed in intervertebral discs (802) allows for a semi-synthetic vertebral disc (806) to be constructed. The artificial intervertebral disk (806) contains one or more ball sensors (808) located within the body of the disk (806) in order to monitor the compression forces. Conventionally, the semi-synthetic disc (806) is monitored only retrospectively, and visualized on x-ray.

Abstract: A solid state X-ray detector (106) is disclosed which is comprised of a plurality of Spherical ICs (202)-(208) disposed on a substrate (210). The Spherical ICs each have a plurality of detector picture elements (pixels) (302) disposed on the surface thereof. Each of the pixels (302) is formed from a layer of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (502) with a heavy metal layer (504) of molybdenum (Mo) disposed thereon as the cathode and a metal layer (508) disposed on the lower surface thereof. The cathode is reverse biased and X-rays impinging thereon will cause a transfer of electron-holes to the lower plate, which are stored on a capacitor (608). The electrons are accumulated over a predetermined period of time and then sampled and processed for output on a display (12) in real time or for storage of a digital value in a memory (114).

Abstract: A method of tumor ablation using injectable thermal-sensing balls. A catheter system (115) is used to inject a slurry (134) of thermal-sensing balls (136) into a tumor (122) located in, for example, a liver (120). The catheter system (115) comprises a catheter (128) and a specialized syringe (129) consisting of a housing (130) and a plunger (132). The housing (130) includes a cylindrical chamber having the slurry (134) of thermal-sensing balls (136). The catheter (128) is inserted retrograde into the femoral artery and passed to the site of the tumor (122). The hepatic artery (124) branches into smaller vessels, one of which is a tumor artery (126) which feeds the tumor (122). The tip of the catheter (128) is placed in the tumor artery (126) guided by conventional fluoroscopy. The injected balls (136) then receive energy from an external control system (110). The system (110) comprises a control panel (114) as an operator interface for controlling the system (110) and reading data therefrom.

Abstract: A ball semiconductor for stimulating a mass of nervous system brain tissue for therapeutic purposes. The ball (120) is embedded in a mass of nervous system tissue (215) of a brain. Electrical pulses generated and transmitted to the ball (120) by a remote electrical pulse generator system (140) are picked up by a receiving antenna of the ball (120), and are applied to an electrode pair of the ball (120) to cause the mass of nervous system tissue (215) of the brain located between output pads of the electrode to become stimulated, as therapy for a pathological condition.

Abstract: A radiation dosimetry system (110) using miniature implanted transponder balls. A patient having a tumor that is the target of the radiation treatment lies in a treatment area with the tumor positioned beneath a target (112) used for alignment purposes. The system (110) is controlled and monitored by a CPU (114) which receives instructions from a radiologist operating a control panel (116), and displays control parameters, data and graphics to the radiologist on a display (118). The CPU (114) controls an RF system operating through a broad-band antenna (120) and directed at the target area (112). The CPU (114) controls operation of a radiation source (122), which may be a conventional linear accelerator, for directing radiation at the target area (112). The radiation source (122) includes a collimator (124) or similar apparatus for shaping a radiation beam for accurate application to the target area (112).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching one or more transponders to medical and non-medical products to tag respective ones of the products with identifying data contained in a memory of the transponders. The one or more transponders each include a memory containing the corresponding identifying data which is emitted by the respective transponder in response to an electromagnetic signal emitted externally of the transponder. The identifying data corresponds to at least one of the respective one or more transponders and a respective product for tagging. The one or more transponders are attached to respective ones of the products to tag the products with the corresponding identifying data.

Abstract: Sensor modules are provided which are pumped into a well by first being pumped downhole within a drill string, then passing through the drill bit and being circulated uphole in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole of the well. The sensors take measurement readings as they are being pumped uphole through the annulus. The sensors are preferably separated from the mud returns from the well, and then read at an inductive read unit. The sensor modules are provided by semiconductor substrates which measure downhole well parameters, and then store the date for retrieval at the surface. The semiconductor substrates preferably have a plurality of sides on which measurement sensors and circuitry may be formed, allowing the circuitry and the sensors to be made of smaller sizes. Such sensors include temperature sensors, three-dimensional stain gauges, which are also useful as pressure transducers, inductive pressure transducers, inclination sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes and radiation detectors.

Abstract: A wireless electrocardiogram monitor utilizing a cooperative association of miniature semiconductor balls. A side view of a surface mount cardiac monitor system (200) shows three semiconductor electrode balls (202), (204), and (206) contacting a central communication ball (208) for electrical communication therebetween. Each of the electrode balls (202), (204), and (206) have fabricated thereon a respective electrode (210), (212), and (214) for receiving electrical signals from the heart. The electrode signals are passed to the central communication ball (208) for processing, filtering, digital conversion, and transmission therefrom to a remote control system being operated by a medical technician. The data can then be displayed to medical personnel.

Abstract: An implantable epicardial lead (13) is provided which is comprised of two spherical ICs (25) and (26) disposed at opposite ends of a supporting structure and separated by a predetermined distance. These spherical ICs comprise an anode and a cathode, each having connections thereto. The epicardial lead (13) includes circuitry for allowing inductive coupling of power into the epicardial lead (13) for storage in a capacitor (926). A switch (928) allows for selective discharge of the capacitor (926) to the surrounding myocardium into which it is implanted. The epicardial lead (13) also includes a receive/transmit device (942) for receiving command information for storage in a memory (939) to provide operation information therefor and also for receiving sensed information therefrom. The sensed information is sent via a switch (930).

Abstract: A ball-shaped semiconductor monitoring device (150) having one or more transducer functions for use with an instrument that is insertable into a human body. In one disclosed embodiment, a needle (130) and modified stylet (140) are inserted into intraluminal body cavities for measuring fluid pressure. The modified stylet (140) has the monitoring device (150) attached to one end. The stylet (140) has a metal annulus (142) extending throughout its length and a communication wire (144) disposed therein. The wire (144) is surrounded by an insulator (146) to electrically isolate it from the stylet (140). A recessed cavity (148) is provided at the distal end of the stylet (140) to accommodate the ball monitoring device (150). A transducer (152) is integrated on the ball device (150) to measure such quantitative conditions as pressure. The ball (150) has a ground terminal (154) and a data terminal (156).

Abstract: An anatomical position sensing system (100) using one or more substantially spherical transponders for measuring relative positions and distances. Transponders (P) and (S) are capable of receiving and transmitting RF signals, and communicating between themselves and with a separate CPU (112). The CPU (112) is controlled by an operator at an operator control panel (114), interacts with an alarm (120) for providing audible alerts to the operator, and a display for displaying information to the operator. The CPU (112) controls a broadband antenna (118) to transmit, at a frequency f1, a low-frequency RF power signal (122) across a wide field to energize the transponders (P) and (S). Directional components (122a) and (122b) intercept and energize the transponders (P) and (S). Once energized, transponder (P) transmits a range signal in all directions including component (124) at a very high RF frequency f2, extending from transponder (P) to transponder (S).

Abstract: A miniature spherical-shaped internal temperature transponder. A temperature sensor (25) is fabricated in a spherical integrated transponder circuit (15) which may be placed in the human body by ingestion, implantation, or injection. In one aspect of the invention, a passive system is disclosed whereby an external monitoring station (13) generates an energy field using a magnetic field generator (19) which is coupled to a power coil (21) of the transponder (15). The power coil (21) passes power to a power regulator (23) to provide regulated power to all transponder (15) circuits. Temperature data obtained by the temperature sensor (25) is passed to a voltage controlled oscillator (27) for conversion into an RF signal. A mixing circuit (31) receives the RF temperature signal and modulates the temperature data signal onto an oscillator frequency from an RF oscillator (29).