Orthopaedic components with data storage element

• US 20050012617A1
• Filed: 03/30/2004
• Published: 01/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Depuy Products Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Dietz, Terry, Hastings, Robert, DiSilvestro, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.800
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/60 for external osteosynthesis, e.g. distractors, contractors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/68 Internal fixation devices , including fasteners and spinal fixators, even if a part thereof projects from the skin bone staples A61B17/0642
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/80 Cortical plates , i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/86 Pins or screws or threaded wires; nuts therefor A61B17/72 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8605 Heads, i.e. proximal ends projecting from bone
• 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 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30734 Modular inserts, sleeves or augments, e.g. placed on proximal part of stem for fixation purposes or wedges for bridging a bone defect
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30744 End caps, e.g. for closing an endoprosthetic cavity
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/32 for the hip
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/34 Acetabular cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/36 Femoral heads ; Femoral endoprostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/367 Proximal or metaphyseal parts of shafts trochanteric devices connected to said proximal parts A61F2/30739
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3676 Distal or diaphyseal parts of shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3859 Femoral components
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/389 : Tibial components A61F2/3868 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/40 : for shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4081 : Glenoid components, e.g. cups
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 : Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4684 : Trial or dummy prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/48 : Operating or control means, e.g. from outside the body, control of sphincters
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3008 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30326 : differing in height or in length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30405 : made by screwing complementary threads machined on the parts themselves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30448 : using adhesives
• 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 2002/3071 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30795 : Blind bores, e.g. of circular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30807 : Plurality of blind bores
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30878 : with non-sharp protrusions, for instance contacting the bone for anchoring, e.g. keels, pegs, pins, posts, shanks, stems, struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30892 : parallel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3611 : Heads or epiphyseal parts of femur
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4018 : Heads or epiphyseal parts of humerus
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4062 : Proximal or metaphyseal parts of shafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0025 : Connections or couplings between prosthetic parts, e.g. between modular parts; Connecting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 : using adhesives
• 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 2250/0037 : differing in height or in length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0085 : Identification means; Administration of patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0086 : with bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 : radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 : Radio telemetry

Abstract

An implantable orthopaedic component includes an information storage device that contains information related to the component. In the preferred embodiment, the information storage device is an RFID tag that is embedded within the component or within a housing that is configured to be removably engaged to the component. The RFID tag can be pre-loaded with information related only to the implant, or can be configured to allow additional surgery or patient specific information to be added by the caregiver at the time and point of surgery.

Claims

1. An orthopaedic component for engagement to the human body, comprising:

a component body; and

an RFID tag configured for storing information related to the orthopaedic component, said RFID tag associated with said component body so that the stored information can be accessed by an independent reader.

2. The orthopaedic component of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag is embedded within the component body.

3. The orthopaedic component of claim 2, wherein:

said component body is a molded body; and

said RFID tag is molded within said molded body.

4. The orthopaedic component of claim 2, wherein:

said component body defines a cavity sized to receive said RFID tag therein; and

said component body includes a cover closing said cavity with said RFID tag embedded therein.

5. The orthopaedic component of claim 4, wherein said cover is a biocompatible potting material.

6. The orthopaedic component of claim 5, wherein said potting material is a bone cement.

7. The orthopaedic component of claim 4, wherein said cover is a biocompatible metal, a biocompatible polymer, or a biocompatible composite material.

8. The orthopaedic component of claim 1, wherein said RFID tag includes:

a transmission receiver configured for receiving external transmissions;

an information storage element; and

a control circuit electrically connected between said receiver and said storage element and operable to activate said storage element in response to an external transmission.

9. The orthopaedic component of claim 8, wherein said transmission receiver operates as a passive power supply for said RFID tag.

10. The orthopaedic component of claim 8, wherein said information storage element has read/write capabilities.

11. The orthopaedic component of claim 10, wherein said information storage element includes an EEPROM.

12. The orthopaedic component of claim 1, further comprising:

a housing defining a cavity sized for receiving said RFID tag embedded therein; and

an engagement feature defined between said housing and said component body.

13. The orthopaedic component of claim 12, wherein said engagement feature includes:

a recess defined in said component body; and

an engagement element defined on said housing, said engagement element configured for engagement within said recess.

14. The orthopaedic component of claim 13, wherein said engagement element is configured for press-fit engagement within said recess.

15. The orthopaedic component of claim 14, wherein said engagement element is configured for a taper-fit engagement.

16. The orthopaedic component of claim 13, wherein said engagement element is configured for slip-fit, snap-fit, or threaded fit engagement within said recess.

17. A method for associating information related to an orthopaedic component with the component comprising the steps of:

storing information related to the orthopaedic component in an information storage device;

engaging the information storage device to the orthopaedic component; and

remotely accessing the information stored in the information storage device.

18. The orthopaedic component of claim 17, wherein the step of remotely accessing occurs before the orthopaedic component is implanted in a patient.

19. The orthopaedic component of claim 17, wherein the step of remotely accessing occurs after the orthopaedic component is implanted in a patient.

20. The orthopaedic component of claim 17, wherein the stored information is stored in the information storage device during the manufacture of the orthopaedic component and includes one or more of the following:

product identification;

part number;

batch number;

manufacturer;

manufacture date; and

inspection information.

21. The orthopaedic component of claim 17, wherein the stored information is stored in the information storage device by the caregiver implanting the orthopaedic component.

22. The orthopaedic component of claim 21, wherein the stored information includes one or more of the following:

patient identification;

patient medical history;

caregiver information; and

date of implant surgery.