Device for processing and transmitting measured signals for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes

• US 10,194,802 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2009
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AO Technology AG (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: AO Technology AG (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Windolf, Markus
• Primary Examiner(s): Downey, John R
• Assistant Examiner(s): JIAN, SHIRLEY XUEYING
• Application Number:
  US13/377,476
• Publication Number:
  US 20120123221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,526 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/60 for the operation of medical equipment or devices
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Disclosed is a device (1) for processing and transmitting measured signals which correspond to implant parameters or biological parameters for monitoring and/or controlling medical implants, diagnostic devices or biological processes comprising: A) a biocompatible sterilizable covering (9); B) an electronic signal processing device (2) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connectable to at least one sensor (5) allowing to process measured signals received from said at least one sensor (5); C) a data memory (16) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said signal processing device (2) allowing to store data received from said signal processing device (2); and D) a data transmission device (4) arranged in said covering (9) and electrically connected to said data memory (16) for transmitting data received from said data memory (16) to a remote data receiving device (6) which is connectable to an external data processing device (8), wherein E) said signal processing device (2) is programmed to calculate statistically relevant data obtained from the said measured signals to reduce the stored data. Disclosed are furthermore methods to monitor or control bone healing or bone distraction implants.

Claims

1. A device for monitoring healing of a bone after osteosynthesis and for transmitting stored data to a remote receiving device that is connectable to an external data processor, the device comprising:

at least one sensor configured to measure at least one of strain, displacement and transferred force in the bone or in a bone plate or intramedullary nail implanted into the bone;

a biocompatible sterilizable covering;

a signal conditioner arranged in said covering that is electrically connectable to said at least one sensor;

an electronic signal processing device arranged in said covering comprising

an analog/digital converter electrically connected to said signal conditioner, and

an electronic data processing unit electrically connected to said analog/digital converter, said electronic data processing unit comprising an integrator, a counter and a minimum/maximum unit;

a data memory arranged in said covering and electrically connected to said electronic signal processing device; and

a data transmission device arranged in said covering and electrically connected to said data memory, said data transmission device being configured to transmit data stored in said data memory to the remote data receiving device;

wherein the signal conditioner and the analog/digital converter are configured to process measured analog signals of said at least one of strain displacement and transferred force received from the at least one sensor into digital values,

wherein the integrator is configured to sum the digital values as received from the at least one sensor as processed by the signal conditioner and the analog/digital converter and to provide the sum for storage in said data memory,

wherein the counter unit is configured to count a number of the processed measured signals and to provide the number for storage in said data memory,

wherein the minimum/maximum unit is configured to identify minimum and maximum values in a curve of measured signals,

wherein the electronic signal processing device is configured to calculate statistical data for storage in the data memory, said statistical data including the sum of the measured signals, the number of the measured signals, an average value, and minimal and maximum values,

wherein the statistical data received by the data memory from the electronic signal processing device for storage has a reduced volume as compared to the measured signals received by the electronic signal processing device from the at least one sensor as processed by the signal conditioner, and

wherein the data transmission device is an external induction source-fed RFID transponder, which is configured to transfer the statistical data stored in data memory to the remote receiving device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said electronic data processing unit is programmable.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein said data transmission device is configured as a transceiver for transmitting data to the remote receiving device and for receiving data from an external transmitting source.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device further comprises a power supply arranged in said covering.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said device further includes a multi-channel multiplexer.