ROSSEN@triumfer.bitnet (01/19/90)
I found the following article in today's newspaper (the Vancouver Sun): Tiny devices injected into blood The British Secretary of State for Defence has been granted patent number 1,262,847 for tiny computers that can be injected into any animal's bloodstream to collect data. The devices measure less than 500 micrometers across, although devices less than 7 micrometers and less than 3 micrometers are also specifically mentioned in the patent. Once injected into the bloodstream, the devices measure sound, electromagnetic activity, temperature, acidity (pH value), and various chemical characteristics and in response give off either sounds or electromagnetic signals of their own. The patent makes no mention of how the output signals from the devices would be measured or collected. Gawd, but I would love to see the specs for these things! Not exactly nanotech, but at least some people out there are working in then right direction...
s872607@chudich.co.rmit.oz.au (George Tzanatos) (02/08/90)
ROSSEN@triumfer.bitnet writes: ... >The patent makes no mention of how the output signals from the devices would be >measured or collected. For a device that small, I would think that power would be applied, and signals received, via an external RF antenna & source, in much the same way that some of the 'shoplifting alarm tags' work. (ie, each tag has a small rf diode, which reflects rf energy, provided by the sensor at the door). George Tzanatos.