Electronic scanner info help please

[poder]

Thanks for reading this. I'm not an electronics person, so I have a couple questions.

I'm writing a novel in which a suspicious electronic device has been surgically implanted in a VIP's belly and brain by terrorists. The VIP is recovered by the military, the device discovered by X-ray, and they decide to scan them to determine what they might be instead of removing them. (They're concerned the device might be a bomb and might be booby trapped to detonate if removed.) And they are right. The part in the belly is a cellular receiver that would send a signal to the device in the brain, and kaboom.

My question is, is there a scanner device that can be used to determine the basic circuitry of the device from outside the body? All I need is the ability to determine the device can receive a text message, and then send a message to the HNC bomb in the VIP's brain. Is there something like this? I've looked around the internet but can't find anything.

Thanks for any info or suggestions.

 

[shrtrnd]

Consider sticking with just the X-ray.
From the X-Ray, an electronics specialist would be able to determine what the devices
are, and their capability.
So you need the X-ray, and somebody who could identify the devices.
A mystery device like the one you describe, would have to be something you invent in
your head, and then explain its origin in the text of your story.

 

[BobK]

Just shrink some scientists and inject them into the bloodstream in a nano-submarine.

Bob

 

[poder]

shrtron--I think I'll go that way. Thanks!

 

[poder]

BobK--I think its been done--and I doubt I could improve on it!

 

[(*steve*)]

In order to receive a text message, the device needs to be able to communicate with the cellular network. That means it has to be able to transmit.

You would be able to detect the transmitted signal, and maybe the device has a visible antenna that could be seen, and then measured to determine the frequency, leading to an aha moment of "that's the same frequency as the cellular network."

Perhaps the SIM is visible (on x-ray or even ultrasound)

The device is going to have to be encased in something implantable in the body. Whilst it could be metallic, that would spoil things a bit for an x-ray. Perhaps it is sealed inside a teflon bag?

 

[poder]

Thanks for your ideas Steve. I worked in surgery for many years, so the implant part won't be hard. But I think your right about the SIM card. They'll be able to sense that somehow. I just need to find a plausible way.
Thanks!

 

[(*steve*)]

Perhaps you could pick up the periodic interference as it tries to contact a cell tower.

Do mobile phones in close proximity to (say) an ECG machine affect the traces?

Perhaps you might wonder why the device kept detecting odd arhythmias?

 

[KJ6EAD]

Here's another twist. Have the device detected by the VIP's security team while they're sweeping a room for bugs with a non-linear junction detector, then follow up with the X-ray to determine the composition of the device.

 

[poder]

Sorry it ook so long for me to come back and repsond.

Steve--
Cell phones disrupt telemetry in some hospitals. They also disrupt some diagnostic imaging--MRIs and CTs in older hospitals that had suites built before the age of cellular--while the equipment is in use.

KJ6EAD--
Basically that's what I'm looking for. I need to do some learning now about NLJDs.

I've asked Marine and Air Force friends if those devices might be readily available on a rescue mission. Not likely, just that they'd do the rescue and get the VIP to a secure location. But where's the fun in that?
Somehow I need to make his rescue highly dramatic while keeping it plausible. Which means I'll have more questions for you guys later.
Thanks again!

 

[KMoffett]

Does the cellphone have to communicate with the terrorists periodically and update the device in the brain to keep it from going boom...so shielding is not an option?

Ken

 

[(*steve*)]

Somehow I need to make his rescue highly dramatic while keeping it plausible. Which means I'll have more questions for you guys later.
Thanks again!

If there's a rescue involved it's not unlikely that other nearby resources could be called to assist. If one of those nearby resources just happens to be carrying the equipment and there is some plausible reason for it to be operating just after the rescue, then you've put A and B together.

 

[poder]

Ken-
The cellular only needs to receive a message to detonate the device in the brain. The terrorists are waiting for the perfect moment to do the most damage.

Steve-
You're right about other resources not being called. The entire operation has to be kept dark, just so the terrorists don't know the device is being removed (or they detonate early). That part of the story will be tricky to write, without having too many 'just happens to have/be/find/etc.

Thanks

 

[KMoffett]

A Faraday cage will prevent the cellphone from receiving calls. You would need a big one that would have room for the patient and surgical team. Also the center of some buildings are cellular dead zones.

Ken