INTERNAL ANATOMICAL FORCE MEASUREMENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An anatomical force sensor system, the sensor system comprising:
- a first electrically conductive plate;
a second electrically conductive plate, the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate spaced a distance apart from each other and not touching each other;
a first compressible foam disposed between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate, the first compressible foam having a first thickness in a first compression state and a second thickness in a second compression state;
a second compressive foam disposed about the first compressive foam, the second compressive foam providing electrical insulation to the first compressive foam;
a voltage source electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate;
the voltage source configured to provide a voltage potential between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate; and
a controller, the controller configured to sense changes in capacitance between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate when the conductive plates are placed within a body of a patient and use these sensed changes in capacitance to determine a change in distance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate.
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Abstract
Systems, devices and methods involving static or active measurement of pressure, load, or other forces exerted on or between internal anatomical structures are described. A load and/or strain sensor, which may be implantable or otherwise deployed during a medical procedure, along with systems and methods thereof, are also described. These measurements techniques and sensors can provide real-time as well as accumulated data indicative of stresses or other forces being exerted on or between internal anatomical structures of a target patient, e.g., portions or interfaces of the skeletal system.
17 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An anatomical force sensor system, the sensor system comprising:
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a first electrically conductive plate; a second electrically conductive plate, the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate spaced a distance apart from each other and not touching each other; a first compressible foam disposed between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate, the first compressible foam having a first thickness in a first compression state and a second thickness in a second compression state; a second compressive foam disposed about the first compressive foam, the second compressive foam providing electrical insulation to the first compressive foam; a voltage source electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate;
the voltage source configured to provide a voltage potential between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate; anda controller, the controller configured to sense changes in capacitance between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate when the conductive plates are placed within a body of a patient and use these sensed changes in capacitance to determine a change in distance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An implantable sensor system, the sensor system comprising:
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an implantable sensor; and a controller, wherein the implantable sensor comprises; a first electrically conductive plate; a second electrically conductive plate, the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate spaced a distance apart from each other and not touching each other; a first compressible foam disposed between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate, the first compressible foam comprising electroactive moieties, the first compressible foam having a first thickness in a first compression state and a second thickness in a second compression state; and a second compressive foam disposed about the first compressive foam, the second compressive foam providing electrical insulation to the first compressive foam, wherein the controller is configured to sense changes in capacitance between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate and use these sensed changes in capacitance to determine a real-time change in distance between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate when the conductive plates are resident within a body of a patient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for measuring forces exerted on one or more vertebrae, the method comprising:
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receiving a data signal at a controller; and providing a determination of real-time force exerted on an implanted anatomical sensor, wherein the data signal is generated by a sensor positioned adjacent one or more vertebrae of a patient, wherein the implanted anatomical sensor comprises; a first electrically conductive plate; a second electrically conductive plate, the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate spaced a distance apart from each other and not touching each other; a first compressible foam disposed between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate, the first compressible foam comprising electroactive moieties, the first compressible foam having a first thickness in a first compression state and a second thickness in a second compression state; and a second compressive foam disposed about the first compressive foam, the second compressive foam providing electrical insulation to the first compressive foam, wherein the controller is configured to sense changes in capacitance between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate and use these sensed changes in capacitance to determine a change in distance between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification