Wireless breach detection

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting wall breach in inflatable prostheses rely on intrusion of a body fluid or inflation medium to electrically alter a signaling circuit. In one embodiment, an open portion of a circuit is closed to enable or modify a transmitted signal. In another embodiment, electrical current is generated to power an electrical transmission.

1 . An improved implantable device having an exterior structure, wherein the improvement comprises a system incorporated into said exterior structure, which system emits a detectable wireless signal upon breach of said exterior structure.  
   
   
       2 . An improved implantable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a wall which at least partially surrounds a compartment which is fillable with a fluid medium.  
   
   
       3 . An improved device as in  claim 2 , wherein the exterior structure is inflatable and the liquid medium is an inflation medium.  
   
   
       4 . An improved device as in  claim 3 , wherein the exterior structure is non-rigid.  
   
   
       5 . An improved device as in  claim 4 , which comprises a breast implant, a gastric balloon, or a penile implant, or a reservoir.  
   
   
       6 . An improved implantable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a rigid housing.  
   
   
       7 . An improved implantable device as in  claim 6 , wherein the device comprises a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a neurostimulator, or an insulin a biochemical delivery pump, or a reservoir.  
   
   
       8 . An improved implantable device as in  claim 1 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a covering formed over an electrically conductive core.  
   
   
       9 . An improved implantable device as in  claim 8 , wherein the device comprises an electrical cable or an electrical connector.  
   
   
       10 . An improved device as in  claim 1 , wherein the signal emission system comprises a signaling circuit having one or more components which are exposed to an exterior or interior environment upon breach of the exterior structure, wherein exposure of the component energizes the circuit, closes the circuit or opens the circuit to cause, alter, disable, or enable signal emission.  
   
   
       11 . An improved device as in  claim 10 , wherein the component generates electrical current when exposed to body fluid and/or an interior medium by a wall breach.  
   
   
       12 . An improved device as in  claim 10 , wherein the component includes spaced-apart conductors which are electrically coupled to close and/or alter a capacitance or inductance of the signaling circuit when exposed to a body fluid and/or the fillable medium by a wall breach.  
   
   
       13 . An improved device as in  claim 10 , wherein the signaling circuit comprises a transponder and an antenna, wherein the transponder is powered by an external reader which is tuned to the antenna of the transponder, wherein the transponder and antenna are inactive or operational in a first mode until a wall breach closes the control or signaling circuit, wherein closing of the control or signaling circuit activates or alters the transponder emission.  
   
   
       14 . A method for signaling breach of an external structure of an implantable device, said method comprising emitting an externally detectable wireless signal when the external structure has been at least partially breached.  
   
   
       15 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the exterior structure is inflatable and the liquid medium is an inflation medium.  
   
   
       16 . A method as in  claim 15 , wherein the exterior structure is non-rigid.  
   
   
       17 . A method as in  claim 16 , a breast implant, a gastric balloon, or a penile implant, or a reservoir.  
   
   
       18 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a rigid housing.  
   
   
       19 . A method as in  claim 18 , wherein the device comprises a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a neurostimulator, a biochemical delivery an insulin pump, or a reservoir.  
   
   
       20 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein the exterior structure comprises a covering formed over an electrically conductive core.  
   
   
       21 . A method as in  claim 20 , wherein the device comprises an electrical cable or an electrical connector.  
   
   
       22 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein emitting comprises closing or opening or signaling circuit when the exterior structure is at least partially breached.  
   
   
       23 . A method as in  claim 22 , wherein the signaling circuit is unpowered and comprises an antenna and a transponder, further comprising directing an interrogation signal to the antenna and detecting a return signal from the transponder, wherein the returned signal is altered, present or ceases only when the control or signaling circuit has been closed or opened by a breach of the exterior structure.  
   
   
       24 . A method as in  claim 22 , wherein the signaling circuit is powered and emitting comprises exposing a component of a signaling circuit to an internal or external environment when the exterior structure is at least partially breached wherein the control or signaling circuit is closed and transmits a signal.  
   
   
       25 . A method as in  claim 14 , wherein emitting comprises exposing a component of a signaling circuit to an internal or external environmental when the exterior structure is at least partially breached, wherein the control or signaling circuit generates energy and transmits a signal.