| abstract |
Multiple transmission medical carriers detect one or more patient parameters and / or deliver energy via individually identifiable effectors. The carrier includes a body and at least two conductors connected to at least two effectors. The effector may be a sensor, an actuator, or any combination of both. The sensor may measure parameters such as pressure, oxygen content, volume, conductivity, liquid flow rate, or other chemical or physical parameters. Actuators may be used, for example, for pacing the heart, stimulating muscle or neural tissue, transmitting ultrasonic energy, emitting light, heat or other forms of radiation, or delivering any form of energy or substance. A method for collecting medical data from a patient includes transmitting an interrogation signal to a network of multiple transmission sensors residing on parallel conductors within the patient, wherein the step of transmitting the interrogation signal includes a step in the network. Addressing one addressable sensor to obtain data, and addressing a second addressable sensor in the network to obtain data. |