Abstract: A filler material for a surgically implantable prosthesis comprised of a synthetic triglyceride having a viscosity substantially greater than that of naturally occurring triglycerides is provided. The triglyceride composition is formed of saturated alkyl chains to reduce or limit the potential for oxidation of the alkyl chains to form peroxide groups which adversely affect the biocompatibility of the filler material and the implant. Preferably, the filler material has a viscosity substantially the equivalent of a normal human breast. The synthetic triglyceride filler material may also have a lower viscosity which is a liquid at room temperature for use in inflatable devices. Prostheses containing filler material having the desired viscosity and antioxidation characteristics are also provided as well as a method for preparing the filler material.

Abstract: The present information management system for personal health digitizers. This system provides a centralized database that collects and stores monitoring data from a large number of individuals who are termed “consumers” herein. The information management system for personal health digitizers includes processing elements that can be used to perform statistical analysis of the collected data on a per consumer, population segment, or query specific basis. The analysis function is made available to various classes of “users” which classes can include consumers, medical practitioners, health care providers, institutions, and the like. The database is architected in a hierarchical manner to enable the users to access only the relevant, prepartitioned segment of the collected data that this particular class of user is authorized to analyze.

Abstract: A filler material for a surgically implantable prosthesis comprised of a synthetic triglyceride having a viscosity substantially greater than that of naturally occurring triglycerides is provided. The triglyceride composition is formed of saturated alkyl chains to reduce or limit the potential for oxidation of the alkyl chains to form peroxide groups which adversely affect the biocompatibility of the filler material and the implant. Preferably, the filler material has a viscosity substantially the equivalent of a normal human breast. The synthetic triglyceride filler material may also have a lower viscosity which is a liquid at room temperature for use in inflatable devices. Prostheses containing filler material having the desired viscosity and antioxidation characteristics are also provided as well as a method for preparing the filler material.

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.

Abstract: The multi-use sensor has a controllable number of measurement cycles. This multi-use sensor consists of a sensor and/or electrodes that are encased in a suitable material to allow reuse of the sensor and sensor life cycle circuitry that functions to regulate the number of operational cycles that the sensor can execute to ensure that the multi-use sensor is not used beyond its effective life. Included in this life cycle circuitry is a dual state mechanism that is connected across two conductors and that has a first state of low impedance. There is sensor state change apparatus that changes the state of the dual state mechanism to a second state of high impedance, such as an open circuit between the two conductors.

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.

Abstract: A biosensing transponder for implantation in an organism including a human comprises a biosensor for sensing one or more physical properties related to the organism after the device has been implanted, including optical, mechanical, chemical, and electrochemical properties, and a transponder for wirelessly transmitting data corresponding to the sensed parameter value to a remote reader. Disclosed embodiments utilize temperature sensors, strain sensors, pressure sensors, magnetic sensors, acceleration sensors, ionizing radiation sensors, acoustic wave sensors, chemical sensors including direct chemical sensors and dye based chemical sensors, and photosensors including imagers and integrated spectrophotometers. The transponder includes an energy coupler for wirelessly energizing the device with a remote energy source, and a control circuit for controlling and accessing the biosensor and for storing identifying data.

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.

Abstract: A passive transponder may be encoded with a binary number or code of 64 bits or more and then associated with or mounted to virtually any implant intended for implantation in a human including temporary implants such as drug release implants and organ displacement devices. 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-rays. Where the position of the implant in the human changes over time, or is otherwise unknown to attending medical personnel, the transponder and implant can be located by using a strength of signal indicator on the electromagnetic reader.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A method for augmenting hard or soft connective tissue, such as skin, tendon, cartilage, bone or interstitium, in a living mammal comprising implanting a proteolytic enzyme-solubilized, purified, native, in situ polymerizable collagen solution into the mammal at the augmentation site. The solution polymerizes at the site into a stable, non-reactive fibrous mass of tissue which is rapidly colonized by host cells and vascularized.