Patent ID: 8550981

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: (a) an implantable device; (b) a first sensor, wherein the first sensor is configured to detect a force exerted on a first portion of the implantable device through a patient's skin, wherein the first sensor is configured to be in communication with an exterior portion of the implantable device; (c) a second sensor, wherein the implantable device is configured to contain fluid, wherein the second sensor is configured to sense the pressure of fluid contained in the implantable device; (d) a vibration generator, wherein the vibration generator is co-located with the implantable device, wherein the vibration generator is in communication with the first sensor, wherein the vibration generator is configured to generate vibrations in response to the first sensor detecting a force exerted on the first portion of the implantable device through a patient's skin, wherein the vibration generator is further configured to generate vibrations in response to the first sensor detecting a force exerted on the exterior portion of the implantable device; and (e) a processor in communication with the second sensor, wherein the processor is configured to compare fluid pressure levels sensed by the second sensor against one or more threshold values, wherein the processor is further in communication with the vibration generator, wherein the processor is configured to cause the vibration generator to generate vibrations in response to the fluid pressure levels sensed by the second sensor either exceeding or falling below the one or more threshold values.