Patent ID: 8055336

Claim:
A method for surgically implanting and removing from living tissue an implanted electronic microdevice selected from the group consisting of a sensor or a stimulator, said microdevice having an axial dimension of less than 60 mm and a lateral dimension of less than 6 mm, comprising the steps of: selecting a biocompatible fabric tube; placing said electronic microdevice in said biocompatible fabric tube; surgically creating an insertion point in skin and a path for said microdevice in the living tissue; surgically implanting said fabric tube contained microdevice in the living tissue through the insertion point in the skin along the insertion path; determining the position of the microdevice relative to a target nerve; removing said microdevice by pulling said biocompatible fabric tube along said insertion path toward said insertion point; and removing said microdevice from the living tissue through said insertion point.