IMPLANT SENSORS
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An orthopedic implant for placement in a cavity formed in a bone, said cavity having a predetermined shape, said orthopedic implant comprising:
- a flexible body having an opening, said flexible body having an inflated state wherein said body has an outer shape generally corresponding to said predetermined shape formed in said bone and a non-inflated shape wherein said outer shape has a smaller envelope than said inflated state;
a plurality of sensors supported by said flexible body, said plurality of sensors providing an indication of whether said flexible body is in said inflated state or said non-inflated state; and
a filler, said filler being positioned in said flexible body and causing said flexible body to transition from said non-inflated state to said inflated state, wherein said plurality of sensors include a plurality of optical sensors.
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Abstract
Exemplary orthopedic implants are disclosed. The orthopedic implants may include one or more sensors. Exemplary sensors include sensors to monitor bone growth, changes to the implant over time, and proper placement of the implant. The orthopedic implants may include a woven material. Sensor arrangements to detect a state of an item are disclosed. Exemplary states include folded, unfolded, and inflated. Exemplary items include an orthopedic implant and a parachute.
15 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An orthopedic implant for placement in a cavity formed in a bone, said cavity having a predetermined shape, said orthopedic implant comprising:
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a flexible body having an opening, said flexible body having an inflated state wherein said body has an outer shape generally corresponding to said predetermined shape formed in said bone and a non-inflated shape wherein said outer shape has a smaller envelope than said inflated state; a plurality of sensors supported by said flexible body, said plurality of sensors providing an indication of whether said flexible body is in said inflated state or said non-inflated state; and a filler, said filler being positioned in said flexible body and causing said flexible body to transition from said non-inflated state to said inflated state, wherein said plurality of sensors include a plurality of optical sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for monitoring wear of orthopedic implant for placement proximate a bearing surface when installed in a body, said system comprising:
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an orthopedic implant body; a plurality of sensors supported by said orthopedic implant body and arranged to be positioned proximate said bearing surface, each sensor corresponding to a location on said orthopedic implant; and an interrogation system to interrogate said plurality of sensors subsequent to installation in said body, each sensor of said plurality of sensors providing a first indication in response to an interrogation signal in an absence of wear of said orthopedic implant at said location corresponding to said sensor and a second indication in response to said interrogation signal in a presence of wear of said orthopedic implant at said location corresponding to said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of monitoring wear of an orthopedic implant placed proximate a bearing surface when installed in a body, said method comprising the steps of
providing a body of said orthopedic implant; -
providing a plurality of sensors supported by said orthopedic implant body and arranged to be positioned proximate said bearing surface, each sensor corresponding to a location on said orthopedic implant; and interrogating said plurality of sensors to determine if said orthopedic implant has experienced wear.
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- 12. The method of 11, wherein each sensor of said plurality of sensors provides a first indication in response to an interrogation signal in said absence of wear of said orthopedic implant at said location corresponding to said sensor and a second indication in response to said interrogation signal in said presence of wear of said orthopedic implant at said location corresponding to said sensor.
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14. An orthopedic implant for positioning proximate a bone in a body, said orthopedic implant comprising:
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a first body portion including a three-dimensional woven material having a plurality of layers; and a second body portion coupled to said three-dimensional woven material, wherein said three-dimensional woven material includes a first woven layer having a first plurality of weft fibers and a first plurality of in layer warp fibers, said first layer having a first stiffness;
a second woven layer having a second plurality of weft fibers and a second plurality of in layer warp fibers, said second layer having a second stiffness generally less than said first stiffness;
a third woven layer having a third plurality of weft fibers and a third plurality of in layer warp fibers, said third layer having a third stiffness generally less than said second stiffness;
a first plurality of out of layer warp fibers which couple together said first layer and said second layer; and
a second plurality of out of layer warp fibers which couple together said second layer and said third layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. An orthopedic implant for positioning proximate a bone in a body, said orthopedic implant comprising:
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a body portion including a three-dimensional woven material having a plurality of layers; and a plurality of sensors supported by said three-dimensional woven material, said plurality of sensors positioned proximate said bone and configured to provide an indication of a presence of bone in-growth into said three-dimensional woven material. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An orthopedic implant for positioning proximate a bone in a body, said orthopedic implant comprising:
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a body portion including a three-dimensional woven material having a plurality of layers; and sensing means supported by said three-dimensional woven material, said sensing means being passive.
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21. A method of measuring bone in-growth into an orthopedic implant placed proximate a bone when installed in a body, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a body of said orthopedic implant, said body including a woven material; providing a sensor supported by said woven material and arranged to be positioned proximate said bone; and interrogating said sensor to determine if said bone has grown into said woven material, said sensor providing a first indication if bone in-growth is present. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of measuring strain experienced by an orthopedic implant placed proximate a bone when installed in a body, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a body of said orthopedic implant, said body including a woven material; providing a sensor supported by said woven material and arranged to be positioned proximate said bone; and interrogating said sensor to determine an amount of strain experienced by said orthopedic implant. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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25. An assembly, comprising:
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a flexible body having a folded state and an unfolded state; and a plurality of sensors supported by said flexible body, said plurality of sensors providing an indication of whether said flexible body is in said folded state or said unfolded state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An assembly, comprising:
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a flexible body having a folded state and an unfolded state; and means for sensing whether said flexible body is in said folded state or said unfolded state. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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Specification