(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATION AND TRACKING PERSONS
(75) Inventors: Peter Seth Edelstein, Menlo Park, CA (US); Benjamin Theodore Nordell, II,
San Mateo, CA (US)
(73) Assignee: Persephone, Inc., Menlo Park, CA (US)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 326 days.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
(21) Appl.No.: 11/465,753
(22) Filed: Aug. 18, 2006
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2007/0109118 Al May 17, 2007
Related U.S. Application Data
(63) Continuation of application No. 10/651,635, filed on Aug. 29, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,102,508.
(60) Provisional application No. 60/409,610, filed on Sep. 9, 2002.
(51) Int. CI.
G08B 1/08 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. CI 340/539.13; 340/573.3;
340/573.1; 342/450; 342/357.1; 600/424;
600/300
(58) Field of Classification Search 340/539.13,
340/573.1, 573.3, 573.4, 825.49; 701/214, 701/218; 600/300; 342/357.1,450 See application file for complete search history.
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,866,217 A 2/1975 Bennett
4,706,689 A 11/1987 Man
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for locating and tracking persons by use of an implantable device. The described invention is an implantable device composed of biocompatible materials in all areas where contact with organic tissue occurs. The gross anatomic siting of the device includes any limb, the torso, including back and perineum, the neck, and the head. The surgical anatomic siting of the device includes: (1) Supramuscular: for example, deep to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, on or attached to muscle and/or muscle fascia. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available buried intravenous access ports, which are positioned on, and attached to, the pectoralis major muscle fascia; (2) Intramuscular: for example, within or between the muscles of a limb; (3) Submuscular: for example, deep to a large muscle. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available artificial urethral and anal sphincter reservoirs, which are positioned deep to the rectus abdominus muscles, within the pre-peritoneal Space of Retzius; (4) Intraluminal: for example, within the lumen of an organ which has a naturally occurring orifice. Such a location is currently used for implantation of commercially available ingested video endoscopy capsule devices, i.e. gastrointestinal tract lumen, and intrauterine contraceptive devices, i.e. uterus lumen; and (5) Intracavitary: for example, intrathoracic or intraperitoneal. Such an intraperitoneal location is currently used for implantation of commercially available intraperitoneal dialysis catheters.
25 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
