Medical implant systems
First Claim
1. A medical fastener system, comprising a fastener and a driver for installing the fastener within a patient, wherein the driver and fastener are each configured to have communicating bores extending through their lengths for passage of an electrically communicative element, such that the electrically communicative element is exposed to and in electrical communication with the exterior of the fastener, a source of electrical power and a detector each in electrical communication with the electrically conductive element, wherein when an electrical force is applied to the electrically communicative element via the source of electrical power, electrical signals will be generated by the patient if electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener, with such electrical signals being conducted via the fastener and the electrically communicative element to the detector to indicate the presence of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Medical implant systems for a variety of medical uses including stimulating tissue, locating nerves during a medical procedure, measuring nerve activity, stimulating bone growth, assisting hearing, providing eyesight, delivering medicaments, and facilitating positioning and tracking of positions of medical implants.
94 Citations
96 Claims
- 1. A medical fastener system, comprising a fastener and a driver for installing the fastener within a patient, wherein the driver and fastener are each configured to have communicating bores extending through their lengths for passage of an electrically communicative element, such that the electrically communicative element is exposed to and in electrical communication with the exterior of the fastener, a source of electrical power and a detector each in electrical communication with the electrically conductive element, wherein when an electrical force is applied to the electrically communicative element via the source of electrical power, electrical signals will be generated by the patient if electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener, with such electrical signals being conducted via the fastener and the electrically communicative element to the detector to indicate the presence of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener.
- 16. A medical fastener system, comprising a fastener and a driver for installing the fastener within a patient, wherein the driver and fastener are each configured to have communicating bores for passage of a tissue stimulating device, such that the tissue stimulating device is exposed to and in communication with the exterior of the fastener, a source of stimulating power and a detector each in communication with the tissue stimulating device, wherein when a stimulating force is applied to the stimulating device, signals will be generated by the patient if electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener, with such signals being communicated to the detector to indicate that electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener.
- 33. A screw system for stimulating tissue, the screw system comprising a screw including a threaded shaft portion having a terminal end and an opposite head end, the shaft including a bore and a tissue stimulating device located within the bore with a portion thereof exposed to and in communication with the exterior of the screw.
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50. A method for stimulating tissue in a medical procedure, the method comprising the steps of locating a screw relative to a patient tissue, the screw comprising a threaded shaft portion having a terminal end and an opposite head end, the shaft including a bore and a tissue stimulating device located within the bore with a portion thereof exposed to and in communication with the exterior of the screw;
- and providing a source of electrical power for electrically cooperating with the screw so as to stimulate the tissue in a desired manner in connection with a medical procedure.
- View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
- 59. A tissue stimulating device comprising a light detector located adjacent tissue to be stimulated and a light emitter located remote from the light detector and in optical communication therewith, wherein the light detector generates electrical signals corresponding to the detected light.
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61. A medical fastener system, comprising a fastener and a driver for installing the fastener within a patient, the fastener comprising an elongate shaft having a head end and a terminal end, with a bore defined within the shaft and at least one aperture extending through a portion of the shaft to the exterior of the fastener, a first assembly located within the bore and comprising a light detector located adjacent the aperture for generating electrical signals in response to detected light for stimulating tissue of the patient, and a first optical fiber in optical communication with the light detector;
- a driver having a bore which is open to a tip end of the driver which is configured for engaging the head end of the fastener; and
a second assembly located within the bore of the driver and comprising a light emitting diode and a second optical fiber, and a detector in optical communication with the second optical fiber, wherein the first and second optical fibers are placeable in optical communication with one another when the tip end of the driver is engaged with the head end of the fastener; and
wherein the light emitting diode is operable to stimulate the photodiode to stimulate tissue proximate the fastener such that electrical signals will be generated by the patient if electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener, with such electrical signals being communicated to the detector via the first and second optical fibers to indicate that electrically responsive tissue is proximate the fastener. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
- a driver having a bore which is open to a tip end of the driver which is configured for engaging the head end of the fastener; and
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69. A method for stimulating tissue in a medical procedure, the method comprising the steps of locating a screw relative to tissue of a patient, the screw comprising a threaded shaft portion having a terminal end and an opposite head end, the shaft including a bore and a photodiode device located within the bore with a portion thereof exposed to and in optical communication with the exterior of the screw;
- and providing a source of light for energizing the photodiode so as to stimulate the tissue in a desired manner in connection with a medical procedure.
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70. A method for stimulating tissue within an ear canal for assisting hearing, the method comprising the steps of providing a photodiode system within the ear canal adjacent a tympanic membrane of the ear canal, and providing a light source system in optical communication with the photodiode;
- and providing light from the light source system to energize the photodiode, wherein the photodiode stimulates the tympanic membrane in response thereto.
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71. A medicament delivery system, the system comprising a fastener having a bore defined therethrough to define an inlet for introducing a medicament into the bore and an outlet in flow communication with the inlet for passage of the medicament from the bore for introduction to a desired location within a patient;
- and a seal operatively associated with the inlet for selectively sealing and unsealing the inlet.
- View Dependent Claims (72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. A method for delivering medicament, the method comprising the steps of providing a screw having a bore defined therethrough to define an inlet for introducing a medicament into the bore and an outlet in flow communication with the inlet for passage of the medicament from the bore;
- positioning the screw at a desired location within a patient;
introducing a first does of the medicament to the patient via the bore of the screw;
providing a seal at the inlet to seal the inlet following introduction of the medicament; and
removing the seal and introducing a second dose of the medicament to the patient via the bore of the screw. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81)
- positioning the screw at a desired location within a patient;
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82. A positioning system, comprising:
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a rotatable workpiece having a head thereon, the head defining a plurality of reference structures located thereon and oriented to define a plurality of sets of the reference structures, with the reference structures of each set being arranged in a common plane, but with each set of reference structures being located in distinct but parallel planes;
a driver having a plurality of drive surfaces located and configured to abut the reference structures when the driver and the head are mated, first sensors located on the reference structures and second sensors located on the drive surfaces, with each of the first sensors being operable with one of the second sensors to enable electrical signals to be generated corresponding to signals transmitted and received therebetween; and
a computer control circuit in electrical communication with one of the first or second set of sensors for receiving the generated electrical signals. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85)
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86. A method of positioning a workpiece, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a rotatable workpiece having a head thereon, the head defining a plurality of reference structures located thereon and oriented to define a plurality of sets of the reference structures, with the reference structures of each set being arranged in a common plane, but with each set of reference structures being located in distinct but parallel planes;
providing a driver having a plurality of drive surfaces located and configured to abut the reference structures when the driver and the head are mated, providing first sensors located on the reference structures and second sensors located on the drive surfaces, with each of the first sensors being operable with one of the second sensors to enable electrical signals to be generated corresponding to signals transmitted and received therebetween; and
providing a computer control circuit in electrical communication with one of the first or second set of sensors for receiving the generated electrical signals; and
receiving the generated electrical signals to determine positional information concerning the workpiece. - View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89)
- providing a rotatable workpiece having a head thereon, the head defining a plurality of reference structures located thereon and oriented to define a plurality of sets of the reference structures, with the reference structures of each set being arranged in a common plane, but with each set of reference structures being located in distinct but parallel planes;
- 90. A medical workpiece system, comprising a medical workpiece having a head, and a driver having a tip configured to be matingly engageable with the head for guiding the workpiece to a desired position within a patient, the workpiece further including a first electronic device for communicating with a second electronic device operatively associated with the driver.
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95. An artificial spinal disc system, comprising:
- an artificial spinal disc having a transmitter coupled to an electronic position sensor for generating electronic signals corresponding to the position and orientation of the electronic position sensor in three dimensional space.
- View Dependent Claims (96)
Specification