Breast implants with integrated transponders
The present disclosure provides, in various examples, an implant with a transponder embedded therein, and a method of identifying the implant while inside the human body. In certain examples, the method includes, for example, identifying an implant with an external reader and establishing a wireless communication between the external reader and the transponder. In an example, the implant is identified using information obtained during the wireless communication.
1. A method of identifying an implant, the method comprising:
locating an external reader near the implant, the implant including:
a shell having one or more layers surrounding a cavity;
a filler disposed within the cavity;
an opening extending through the shell and into the cavity;
a patch disposed on an outermost surface of the shell, the patch configured to cover the opening; and
a transponder unconnected to the shell, disposed within the cavity and flexibly fixed within the filler, the transponder spaced from the patch and proximate to the patch;
establishing wireless communication between the external reader and the transponder; and
identifying the implant using information obtained during the wireless communication.
2. The method of identifying the implant of claim 1 , comprising:
accessing one or more databases containing identification information.
3. The method of identifying the implant of claim 1 , wherein establishing the wireless communication between the external reader and the transponder includes communicating a unique identification code from the transponder to an external reader;
wherein the transponder is disposed within a gel in the implant.
4. The method of identifying the implant of claim 3 , wherein the filler includes a silicone gel.
5. The method of identifying the implant of claim 1 , wherein establishing the wireless communication includes establishing communication between the external reader and the transponder, the transponder positioned closer to a posterior side of the implant than an anterior side of the implant.
6. The method of identifying the implant of claim 1 , wherein the transponder is sized to fit through the opening extending through the shell.
7. The method of identifying the implant of claim 1 , wherein the patch is on a posterior side of the implant.
8. A method of identifying an implant located in a body, the method comprising:
locating the implant with an external reader, the implant including:
a multilayered shell surrounding a cavity;
a transponder positioned in the cavity of the implant;
a filler disposed within the cavity;
wherein the transponder is unconnected to the multilayered shell, suspended and secured within the filler; and
a patch disposed on the shell;
wherein the transponder is spaced from the patch;
wherein the transponder is proximate to the patch;
establishing communication between an external reader and the transponder; and
identifying the implant using information communicated to the external reader.
9. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , further comprising:
accessing one or more databases containing identification information to identify the implant.
10. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 ,
wherein the transponder is configured to be implanted in the cavity concurrently with filling the cavity.
11. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the filler includes a silicone gel.
12. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the transponder is an RFID transponder.
13. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the patch is located on a posterior side of the implant.
14. The method of identifying the implant of claim 13 , wherein the transponder is located closer to the posterior side of the implant than an anterior side of the implant.
15. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the implant is a breast implant.
16. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the external reader includes a handheld scanner.
17. The method of identifying the implant of claim 8 , wherein the filler is configured to be cured.
18. A system for identifying an implant, the system comprising:
an external reader configured to locate the implant, the implant including:
a multilayered shell forming a cavity;
a filler disposed within the cavity;
an aperture formed in back side of the multilayered shell;
a patch positioned over the aperture; and
a transponder unconnected to the multilayered shell, and suspended and flexibly fixed in the filler;
wherein the transponder is flexibly fixed within the filler proximate to the patch;
the external reader configured to read information contained on the transponder; and
a computer configured to receive communication from the external reader, the computer including:
a processor; and
a database containing information about the implant.
19. The system for identifying the implant of claim 18 , wherein the transponder is located closer to a posterior side of the implant than an anterior side.
20. The system for identifying the implant of claim 18 , wherein the implant is a breast implant.