A spinal implant device identifiable after implantation comprises an outer cage member and an implant body. The implant body is disposed between a first vertebra end and a second vertebra end of the outer cage and defines a plurality of planes. Each of the planes comprises separately readable indicia such that the indicia are discernible by at least one of x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

An implant containing a structurally encoded region, the implant comprising an implant body defining adjacent first and second encoded regions, the first encoded region comprising a first series of shaped inclusions in a first pattern of relatively differing opacity figures, and the second encoded region comprising a second series of shaped inclusions in a second pattern of relatively differing opacity figures, the first and second encoded regions being disposed such that, when the first encoded region and second encoded regions are viewed by reading illumination from a position wherein the first pattern and second pattern overlap, a third pattern is revealed by the reading illumination, the third pattern being different than the first and second patterns, and comprising shape or surface characteristics representing structurally encoded data. The invention further comprises systems and methods of manufacturing, using and reading the same.

An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.

The disclosure features dendritic tags, and methods and systems for fabricating and using such tags. The methods can include obtaining at least one image of a dendritic tag attached to an article, analyzing the at least one image to identify a set of features associated with the dendritic tag, and comparing the set of features to stored information to identify the article.

A system for use in authenticating an object is provided. The system includes a radio-frequency identification tag coupled to the object and an interrogation system. The interrogation system includes a backscatter x-ray source configured to discharge backscatter x-ray beams towards the object. The backscatter x-ray source is calibrated such that the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal. The system also includes a radio-frequency detector configured to receive the signal from the radio-frequency identification tag and a computing device in communication with the radio-frequency detector. The computing device is configured to obtain first identifying information of the object from the signal and authenticate the object from the first identifying information.

An implant device identifiable after implantation comprises a main portion of the implant device and a coded portion of the implant device. The coded portion comprises a radiopaque element and indicia on the radiopaque element or indicia as a plurality of radiopaque elements disposed within the coded portion. The indicia are discernible by x-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, electromagnetic radiation, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging.