METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING INTEGRITY OF AN IMPLANTED DEVICE

• US 20080262347A1
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Published: 10/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc), Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Warsaw Orthopedic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Bharadwaj, Jeetendra, Nycz, Jeffrey H., Batchelder, Geoffrey, Gil, Carlos E.
• Application Number:
  US11/738,036
• Publication Number:
  US 20080262347A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0051 by applying vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6824 Arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6828 Leg
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6831 Straps, bands or harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/005 Detecting noise caused by implants, e.g. cardiac valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0875 for diagnosis of bone A61B5/4504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4281 characterised by sound-transmitting media or devices for coupling the transducer to the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 9/00 Instruments for examination by percussion; Pleximeters
• 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

Abstract

A system for detecting the integrity of a previously implanted prosthetic device may include a detector including a sensor configured to detect signals from the implant and securing means for securing the sensor in a sensing position relative to the implantable device. The system also may include a power source configured to provide power to the sensor and a computation means for processing data communicated by the detector and for displaying the processed data for diagnosing.

Claims

1. A detector, comprising:

a pliable material configured for placement on a patient adjacent a previously implanted medical device;

a sensor attached to the material, the sensor being configured to detect signals from the implant.

2. The detector of claim 1, wherein the sensor is one of:

an acoustical sensor configured to detect an acoustical signal generated at the implant; and

an sonic transducer configured to detect reflected sonic waves.

3. The detector of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a plurality of sensors disposed in an array and configured to detect signals from more than one location on the implant.

4. The detector of claim 1, wherein the pliable material includes a hook and loop fastener for securing the pliable material about a portion of the patient.

5. The detector of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is inflatable.

6. The detector of claim 1, further comprising:

an inflation bulb operably connected to the pliable material; and

a pressure gauge configured to detect pressure in the pliable material.

7. The detector of claim 1, wherein the pliable material is a non-stretchable material.

8. The detector of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a housing operably associated with the pliable material.

9. The detector of claim 8, wherein the housing includes an inner space having a biasing device disposed therein, the biasing device being configured to bias a sensor head out of the housing.

10. The detector of claim 1, further including a power pack associated with the pliable material and configured to provide power to the sensor.

11. The detector of claim 10, wherein the power pack is removably disposed on the pliable material.

12. The detector of claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter associated with the pliable material.

13. A system for detecting the integrity of a previously implanted prosthetic device comprising:

a detector including

a sensor configured to detect signals from the implant, and

securing means for securing the sensor in a sensing position relative to the implantable device;

a power source configured to provide power to the sensor; and

a computation means for processing data communicated by the detector and for displaying the processed data for diagnosing.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the detector includes a wireless transmitter for transmitting information representative of the detected signals, and wherein the computation means includes a wireless receiver for receiving the transmitted information.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the computation means is mobile and disposed on the detector.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the power source is disposed on the detector.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the securing means is a wrappable band.

18. The system of claim 13, including a stimulator for introducing mechanical loading to the device.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the stimulator is one of a vibrator, an ultrasonic wave emitter, and both a vibrator and ultrasonic wave transmitter.

20. A method comprising:

disposing a sensor outside a patient'"'"'s body for detecting a signal generated around an implanted prosthetic device;

detecting with the sensor the signal generated around the implanted prosthetic device; and

determining based on the detected signal the integrity of an interface between the previously implanted device and adjacent bone structure.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the sensor is an acoustically sensitive sensor, and wherein detecting with the sensor includes detecting acoustics generated at the implant.

22. The method of claim 20, including recording data indicative of the detected signal.

23. The method of claim 20, including transmitting information indicative of the determined integrity of the interface.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein disposing a sensor includes wrapping a band around the patient'"'"'s body in an area where the prosthetic device is implanted.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein disposing a sensor includes disposing multiple sensors in an array.

26. The method of claim 20, including introducing mechanical loading to the implanted prosthetic device.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein introducing mechanical loading includes vibrating tissue around the prosthetic device and emitting ultrasonic waves through tissue around the prosthetic device.

28. The method of claim 20, including wirelessly transmitting information indicative of the detected signal to a processing system.

29. A method comprising:

providing a sensor for disposal outside the patient'"'"'s body, the sensor being an acoustically sensitive sensor for detecting an acoustical signal generated around an implanted prosthetic device; and

providing computer program product for formatting a computation means for determining based on the detected signal the integrity of an interface between the previously implanted device and adjacent bone structure.