Prosthetic implants having enhanced utility

• US 20030040806A1
• Filed: 08/22/2001
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biomed Solutions, LLC
• Original Assignee: Biomed Solutions, LLC
• Inventors: MacDonald, Stuart G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,610,096 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/23.49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4839 combined with drug delivery
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30907 Nets or sleeves applied to surface of prostheses or in cement
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3662 Femoral shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/482 Electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/2821 Bone stimulation by electromagnetic fields or electric current for enhancing ossification
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30011 differing in porosity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30332 Conically- or frustoconically-shaped protrusion and recess
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30589 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30668 Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30677 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products, e.g. antibiotics, into the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30919 Sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30971 Laminates, i.e. layered products
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3625 : Necks
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3631 : with an integral complete or partial peripheral collar or bearing shoulder at its base
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/368 : with lateral apertures, bores, holes or openings, e.g. for reducing the mass, for receiving fixation screws or for communicating with the inside of a hollow shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3694 : with longitudinal bores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4666 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4667 : for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0033 : made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0001 : Means for transferring electromagnetic energy to implants
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 : for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0024 : made from both porous and non-porous parts, e.g. adjacent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/326 : for promoting growth of cells, e.g. bone cells
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/40 : Applying electric fields by inductive or capacitive coupling microwave apparatus A61N5/00; Applying radio-frequency signals

Abstract

A prosthetic implant system connected to the tissue of a living organism. The system contains a first device for measuring the mechanical strain in the implant in an area thereof which is not exposed to tissue regrowth, a second device for measuring the mechanical strain in the implant in an area thereof which is exposed to tissue regrowth, a device for continuously determining the stress/strain relationship of said implant, and a device for treating said tissue.

Claims

1. A prosthetic implant system connected to the tissue of a living organism which comprises an implant body, a first means for measuring the strain in said body of said implant in an area thereof which is not exposed to tissue regrowth, a second means for measuring the strain in said body of said implant in an area thereof which is exposed to tissue regrowth, means for continuously determining the stress/strain relationship of said implant, and means for treating said tissue.

2. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tissue is bone.

3. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 2, wherein said tissue is an articulating body joint.

4. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein said tissue is soft tissue.

5. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein said first means for measuring the strain in said body of said implant in an area thereof which is exposed to tissue regrowth is a first strain gauge.

6. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 5, wherein said body of said implant in an area thereof which is not exposed to tissue regrowth is a second strain gauge.

7. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said first and said strain gauges is a resistive strain gauges.

8. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 7, wherein each of said resistive strain gauges is a foil strain gauge.

9. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 1, wherein prosthetic implant system is comprised of four resistive strain gauges.

10. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 9, wherein said prosthetic implant system is comprised of a controller.

11. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 10, wherein said four resistive strain gauges are connected to said controller.

12. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 11, wherein said four resistive strain gauges are foil strain gauges with thicknesses of less than about 0.5 millimeters.

13. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 12, wherein said controller is comprised of a battery.

14. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 13, wherein said prosthetic implant system is comprised of means for recharging said battery.

15. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 14, wherein said means for recharging said battery is a generator pickup.

16. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 15, wherein said prosthetic implant system is comprised of a pump connected a fluid reservoir.

17. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 16, wherein said pump is electrically connected to said battery.

18. The prosthetic implant system as recited in claim 17, wherein said pump and said reservoir are disposed within said controller.

19. The prosthetic implant as recited in claim 18, further comprising emitter means for injecting electromagnetic energy into said tissue.

20. The prosthetic implant as recited in claim 1, wherein said prosthetic implant further comprises a transceiver.