STRAIN MONITORING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
- a sensor;
said sensor comprising an inter-digitated capacitor;
a transmitter;
said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and
an antenna;
said antenna coupled to said transmitter;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring strain as an indicator of biological conditions, such as spinal fusion, glucose levels, spinal loading, and heart rate. The system includes an inter-digitated capacitor sensor, and RF transmitter, and an associated antenna, all of which are microminiature or microscopic in size and can be implanted in a biological host such as a human or animal. An inductively coupled power supply is also employed to avoid the need for implantation of chemical batteries. Power is provided to the sensor and transmitter, and data is transmitted from the sensor, when an external receiving device, such as a handheld RF ID type receiver, is placed proximate the location of the implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply. The implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply can be left in place permanently or removed when desired.
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Citations
64 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor;
said sensor comprising an inter-digitated capacitor;
a transmitter;
said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and
an antenna;
said antenna coupled to said transmitter;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor;
said sensor comprising an inter-digitated capacitor;
a transmitter;
said transmitter coupled to said sensor;
an antenna;
said antenna coupled to said transmitter;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host; and
a receiver configured for receiving a signal from said transmitter indicative of strain;
wherein said receiver comprises a non-implantable remotely operated receiver. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A system for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor;
said sensor comprising an inter-digitated capacitor;
a transmitter;
said transmitter coupled to said sensor;
an antenna;
said antenna coupled to said transmitter;
a power supply;
said power supply configured for inductive coupling to a power source;
said power supply coupled to said sensor and said transmitter;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, said antenna, and said power supply are adapted for implantation in a biological host; and
a receiver configured for receiving a signal from said transmitter indicative of strain;
wherein said receiver comprises a non-implantable remotely operated receiver. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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Specification