STRAIN MONITORING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A system for sensing strain, comprising:
- an implant positionable in a living being;
at least one sensor assembly mountable thereon a portion of the implant and comprising a passive electrical resonant circuit, wherein the at least one sensor assembly is configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy, and wherein, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, each sensor assembly is configured to generate an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit between about 10−
12 m to about 10−
4 m.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
This application relates to an apparatus and system for sensing strain on a portion of an implant positioned in a living being. In one aspect, the apparatus has at least one sensor assembly that can be mountable thereon a portion of the implant and that has a passive electrical resonant circuit that can be configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy. Each sensor assembly, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, can be configured to generate an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit and is indicative of strain applied thereon a portion of the respective sensor assembly.
-
Citations
54 Claims
-
1. A system for sensing strain, comprising:
-
an implant positionable in a living being; at least one sensor assembly mountable thereon a portion of the implant and comprising a passive electrical resonant circuit, wherein the at least one sensor assembly is configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to an ex-vivo source of RF energy, and wherein, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, each sensor assembly is configured to generate an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit between about 10−
12 m to about 10−
4 m. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A system for sensing strain on a portion of an implant positioned in a living being, the system comprising:
-
an ex-vivo source of RF energy; and at least one sensor assembly mountable thereto a portion of the implant and comprising a passive electrical resonant circuit, wherein the passive electrical resonant circuit is configured to be selectively electromagnetically coupled to the ex-vivo source of RF energy, and wherein, in response to the electromagnetic coupling, each sensor assembly is configured to generate an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit between about 10−
12 m to about 10−
4 m. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43)
-
-
41. The system of claim 41, wherein the means for monitoring the output signal of the at least one sensor assembly comprises a processor configured to determine the relative strain applied to the at least one sensor assembly based on the frequency of the output signal.
-
44. A method for sensing strain in a living being, the method comprising:
-
implanting an implant into the living being, the implant comprising at least one sensor assembly mountable thereto a portion of the implant and comprising a passive electrical resonant circuit; energizing an ex-vivo source of RF energy to selectively electromagnetically couple to the ex-vivo source of RF energy; and generating an output signal from each sensor assembly in response to the electromagnetic coupling, wherein the an output signal characterized by a frequency that is dependent upon urged movement of a portion of the passive electrical resonant circuit between about 10−
12 m to about 10−
4 m. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
-
Specification