Apparatus and method for assessing loads on adjacent bones
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing an in vivo assessment of loads on adjacent bones, said apparatus comprising:
- a body for insertion between the adjacent bones;
at least one sensor associated with said body, said at least one sensor for generating an output signal in response to and indicative of a load being applied to said body through the adjacent bones; and
at least one telemetric device operatively coupled with said at least one sensor, said at least one telemetric device being operable to receive said output signal from said at least one sensor and to transmit an EMF signal dependent upon said output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus (10) that utilizes microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to provide an in vivo assessment of loads on adjacent bones (24 and 26) comprises a body (34) for insertion between the adjacent bones. At least one sensor (42) is associated with the body (34). The sensor (42) generates an output signal in response to and indicative of a load being applied to the body (34) through the adjacent bones (24 and 26). A telemetric device (40) is operatively coupled with the sensor (42). The telemetric device (40) is operable to receive the output signal from the sensor (42) and to transmit an EMF signal dependent upon the output signal. According to various aspects of the invention, the sensor comprises a pressure sensor (42), a load cell (320), and/or at least one strain gauge (142).
19 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing an in vivo assessment of loads on adjacent bones, said apparatus comprising:
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a body for insertion between the adjacent bones;
at least one sensor associated with said body, said at least one sensor for generating an output signal in response to and indicative of a load being applied to said body through the adjacent bones; and
at least one telemetric device operatively coupled with said at least one sensor, said at least one telemetric device being operable to receive said output signal from said at least one sensor and to transmit an EMF signal dependent upon said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for providing an in vivo assessment of loads on adjacent bones to be fused together, said apparatus comprising:
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a graft for insertion between the adjacent bones;
at least one sensor associated with said graft, said at least one sensor for generating an output signal in response to and indicative of a load being applied to said graft through the adjacent bones; and
at least one telemetric device operatively coupled with said at least one sensor, said at least one telemetric device being operable to receive said output signal from said at least one sensor and to transmit an EMF signal dependent upon said output signal. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21-77. -77. (canceled)
Specification