초록 ▼

A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin.

A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU.

대표청구항 ▼

A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin.

A system for monitoring and/or affecting parameters of a patient's body and more particularly to such a system comprised of a system control unit (SCU) and one or more other devices, preferably battery-powered, implanted in the patient's body, i.e., within the envelope defined by the patient's skin. Each such implanted device is configured to be monitored and/or controlled by the SCU via a wireless communication channel. In accordance with the invention, the SCU comprises a programmable unit capable of (1) transmitting commands to at least some of a plurality of implanted devices and (2) receiving data signal from at least some of those implanted devices. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the system operates in closed loop fashion whereby the commands transmitted by the SCU are dependent, in part, on the content of the data signals received by the SCU. 14 wherein the wire has a non-circular cross section. 16. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 additionally comprising a suture attached to a proximal end of the locator element. 17. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 wherein the locator element comprises a material selected from the group of stainless steel, spring steel, nickel-titanium, or biocompatible polymer. 18. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 wherein the locator element at least partially comprises a shape memory material. 19. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 wherein the distal portion of the locator element is plastically deformed while defining the tissue border. 20. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 wherein the locator element additionally comprises a shoulder portion disposed proximally of the locator element distal portion. 21. The tissue localizing device of claim 20 wherein the locator element proximal portion is disposed proximally of the shoulder, the proximal portion having a smaller cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the locator element distal portion. 22. The tissue localizing device of claim 1 wherein the locator element has a cutting surface. 23. A device for defining the border of a volume of tissue having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the device comprising: at least one locator element having proximal and distal portions, the distal portion of the locator element adapted to penetrate tissue proximal to the tissue volume and follow a path to include the distalmost portion of the tissue volume, thereby defining a bound tissue volume, with the proximal portion of the locator element extending away from the bound tissue volume. 24. The device of claim 23 wherein the locator element comprises a ribbon. 25. The device of claim 23 wherein a width of the locator element is larger than a thickness of the locator element. 26. The device of claim 23 wherein the locator element is further adapted such that when the proximal portion of the locator element is manipulated, a target region contained within the tissue volume that is substantially bounded by the distal portion of the locator element is correspondingly manipulated. 27. The device of claim 23 wherein the distal portion of the locator element is adapted to form a loop in the tissue. 28. A tissue localization system comprising: a locator element deployment tube and at least one locator element having proximal and distal portions, said locator element being positionable within and deployable from the locator element deployment tube and, upon deployment, adapted to penetrate tissue so that the distal portion of the locator element defines a tissue border along a first path, the tissue border defining a volume of tissue containing a target region that is substantially bounded by the distal portion of the locator element. 29. The system of claim 28 additionally comprising an orientation element attached to the locator element deployment tube. 30. The system of claim 29 wherein the orientation element is rotatable with respect to a tissue coordinate system. 31. The system of claim 30 wherein the orientation element is rotatable in fixed angular increments. 32. The system of claim 28 additionally comprising a source of energy connected to the locator element. 33. The system of claim 32 wherein the energy source is electrical. 34. The system of claim 33 wherein the energy is radio frequency energy. 35. The system of claim 32 wherein the source of energy is thermal. 36. The system of claim 32 wherein the source of energy is acoustic. 37. The system of claim 32 wherein the source of energy is mechanical. 38. The system of claim 32 wherein the locator element is partially electrically insulated. 39. The system of claim 38 wherein the locator element has a rectangular cross section having four sides and wherein at least two of the four sides are electrically insulated. 40. The system of claim 38 wherein an electrically insulative material is disposed