BREAST IMPLANTS WITH INTEGRATED TRANSPONDERS
The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a breast implant with an RFID transponder embedded therein, so that the implant can be conveniently identified while inside the human body, and methods of making the same.
1 . (canceled)
2 . An implantable medical device comprising:
a multilayered shell defining a cavity, the multilayered shell including:
at least one first layer including a silicone elastomer dispersion; and
one or more subsequent layers coupled with the at least one first layer;
wherein the one or more subsequent layers includes a dispersion different from the at least one first layer;
a filler disposed within the cavity; and
a transponder located in the filler at a position removed from the multilayered shell;
wherein the transponder is free-floating in the filler.
3 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , including a hole formed in the multilayered shell;
wherein the hole is sized to receive the transponder; and
a patch secured to the multilayered shell over the hole.
4 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the transponder is located proximate to a back side of the multilayered shell relative to an implanted position of the implantable medical device.
5 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the filler is cured and the transponder is fixed in the cured filler.
6 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the transponder includes a unique device identifier.
7 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the transponder includes a radio frequency identification.
8 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 , wherein the transponder is formed from a material withstands temperatures up to 200° C.
9 . A flexible implantable medical device comprising:
a shell defining a cavity, the cavity configured to retain a filler, the shell including an aperture;
a patch secured to an outer surface of the shell;
wherein a sealed hole is formed in the patch; and
an encapsulated unique device identifier located within the filler;
wherein the encapsulated unique device identifier is floating in the filler and located remote from an inner surface of the shell.
10 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the patch is configured to be secured with at least one of high pressure and heat.
11 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the filler includes a silicone gel and the silicone gel includes a platinum catalyst.
12 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the encapsulated unique device identifier is flexibly fixed in the filler.
13 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the encapsulated unique device identifier is located proximate to the patch.
14 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the filler is cured and the encapsulated unique device identifier is flexible fixed in the filler.
15 . The flexible implantable medical device of claim 9 , wherein the encapsulated unique device identifier is formed from a material including one or more of a high temperature-stable glass, silicone or plastic;
wherein the material is configured to withstand temperatures up to 210° C.
16 . An implantable medical device comprising:
an elastomer shell including one or more layers, the elastomer shell surrounding a cavity;
wherein the elastomer shell is filled with a fluid or a gel; and
a transponder positioned in the fluid or the gel proximate to a back side of the filled elastomer shell;
wherein the fluid or the gel is configured to be cured, and the transponder is flexibly fixed in the cured fluid or gel.
17 . The implantable medical device of claim 16 , wherein the implantable medical device is a breast implant.
18 . The implantable medical device of claim 16 , wherein the transponder is embedded in the cured fluid or gel.
19 . The implantable medical device of claim 16 , wherein the elastomer shell includes a hole, the hole sized for the transponder to pass through the hole.
20 . The implantable medical device of claim 19 , including a patch covering the hole;
wherein the transponder is positioned in the cured fluid or gel proximate to the patch.
21 . The implantable medical device of claim 16 , wherein the fluid or gel includes a silicone gel.