Artificial joint system and method utilizing same for monitoring wear and displacement of artificial joint members

• US 6,245,109 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intellijoint Systems Limited
• Original Assignee: Intellijoint Systems Limited
• Inventors: Mendes, Emanuel, Beer, Ruth, Mendes, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US09/585,318
• Time in Patent Office: 375 Days
• Field of Search: 623/18.11, 623/18.12, 623/22.24, 623/22.13, 623/23.16, 623/23.49, 623/16.11, 600/12
• US Class Current: 623/18.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/70 Spinal positioners or stabilisers ; Bone stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/102 Modelling of surgical devices, implants or prosthesis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/105 Modelling of the patient, e.g. for ligaments or bones
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2051 Electromagnetic tracking systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0219 of externally powered implanted units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/06 Devices, other than using radiation, for detecting or locating foreign bodies for removing same A61B17/50 ; determining position of probes within or on the body of the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/076 Permanent implantations telemetry using implanted circuitry A61B5/0031; implanted stimulators for therapy A61N1/3605, A61N1/362, A61N1/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4504 Bones A61B5/4547 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4528 Joints A61B5/4533, A61B5/4538 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4547 Evaluating teeth
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/04 Measuring instruments specially adapted for dentistry A61C5/44 takes precedence; testing vitality of teeth A61B5/0534; radiation diagnosis specially adapted for dentistry A61B6/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 8/00 Means to be fixed to the jaw-bone for consolidating natural teeth or for fixing dental prostheses thereon; Dental implants; Implanting tools fastening of peg-teeth in the mouth A61C13/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/28 Bones joints A61F2/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30 Joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/30767 Special external or bone-contacting surface, e.g. coating for improving bone ingrowth
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/38 : for elbows or knees
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/3804 : for elbows
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/40 : for shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4202 : for ankles
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4261 : for wrists
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/44 : for the spine, e.g. vertebrae, spinal discs
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/4657 : Measuring instruments used for implanting artificial joints for surgical instruments A61B90/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/468 : Testing instruments for artificial joints for testing non-implantable prostheses A61F2/76
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/488 : Means for detecting or monitoring wear
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30079 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/3067 : for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/30912 : made of expanded metal, e.g. diamond mesh or metal nets having lozenge-shaped apertures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4233 : for metatarso-phalangeal joints, i.e. MTP joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4243 : for interphalangeal joints, i.e. IP joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4251 : for metacarpo-phalangeal joints, i.e. MCP or MP joints, e.g. knuckle joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4256 : for carpo-metacarpal joints, i.e. CMC joints
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4631 : the prosthesis being specially adapted for being cemented
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4658 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/4671 : for measuring resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/009 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0002 : for data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00017 : Iron- or Fe-based alloys, e.g. stainless steel
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00023 : Titanium or titanium-based alloys, e.g. Ti-Ni alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00029 : Cobalt-based alloys, e.g. Co-Cr alloys or Vitallium
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00179 : Ceramics or ceramic-like structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00407 : Coating made of titanium or of Ti-based alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2310/00796 : Coating or prosthesis-covering structure made of a phosphorus-containing compound, e.g. hydroxy(l)apatite
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 7/023 : for measuring distance between sensor and object G01B7/082 and G01B7/102 take precedence

Abstract

An artificial joint system is provided herein. The system includes an artificial joint implantable within an individual, the artificial joint including artificial joint members each having an articulating surface and a bone attachment surface, wherein the articulating surfaces are in articulative engagement therebetween. The system further includes a detection system implanted within, or attached to, the artificial joint members and/or the bones to which the members are attached. The detection system serves for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, the information signal indicative of a parameter associated with displacement between an artificial joint member and a bone to which it is attached and/or to wear or relative displacement of the articulating surfaces.

Claims

1. An artificial joint system comprising:

(a) at least one artificial joint member having an articulating surface and a bone attachment portion, said bone attachment portion being for attaching said at least one artificial joint member to at least one natural bone of a joint when implanted within an individual; and

(b) a detection system implanted within, or attached to, said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint, said at least one detection system being for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint.

2. The artificial joint system of claim 1, wherein said at least one artificial joint member includes at least two artificial joint members, each attached to a specific natural bone of said joint of said at least one natural bone of said joint, whereas said articulating surfaces of said at least two artificial joint members are configured to allow articulative engagement therebetween.

3. The artificial joint system of claim 1, further comprising an extracorporeal unit, said extracorporeal unit being for communicating to said detection system an energizing signal and further being for receiving from said detection system said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint.

4. The artificial joint system of claim 1, wherein said detection system includes at least one resonance circuit element implanted within or attached to said at least one artificial joint member and at least one magnetic element implanted within, or attached to, said at least one natural bone of said joint and vice versa, such that when said at least one resonance circuit element is energized said at least one resonance circuit produces a signal of oscillating frequency which is a function of a distance between said at least one resonance circuit element and said at least one magnetic element, said distance being said parameter associated with relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint.

5. The artificial joint system of claim 4, wherein said at least one resonance circuit element includes a plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements each producing a distinct signal of oscillating frequency upon being energized, said distinct signal being a function of a distance between a specific resonance circuit element of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements and said at least one magnetic element.

6. The artificial joint system of claim 1, wherein said at least one artificial joint member forms a part of an artificial joint selected from the group consisting of an artificial shoulder joint, an artificial hip joint, an artificial knee joint, an artificial elbow joint, an artificial ankle joint, an artificial wrist joint, an artificial carpo-metacarpal joint, an artificial metacarpo-phalangeal joint, an artificial interphalangeal joint and an artificial metatarso-phalangeal joint.

7. The artificial joint system of claim 1, wherein said at least one artificial joint member is fabricated from at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium alloy, cobalt alloy, polymeric material, ceramics and composites materials.

8. The artificial joint system of claim 4, wherein said at least one resonance circuit element is implanted within, or attached to, said bone attachment portion of said at least one artificial joint member, and further wherein said at least one magnetic element is implanted within, attached to, or forms a part of said bone attachment portion of said at least one artificial joint member.

9. The artificial joint system of claim 2, further comprising an additional detection system implanted within or attached to said at least two artificial joint members, said additional detection system serves for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces of said at least two artificial joint members.

10. A method of determining a parameter associated with relative displacement between an artificial joint member and a natural bone of a joint to which it is attached, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a detection system implanted within, or attached to, least one artificial joint member and at least one natural bone of a joint, said detection system being for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with the relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint;

(b) extracorporeally energizing said detection system so as to receive outside the body said information signal; and

(c) processing said information signal being received so as to yield said parameter associated with the relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of a joint.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein step (b) is effected by an extracorporeal unit, said extracorporeal unit being for communicating to said detection system an energizing signal and further being for receiving from said detection system said information signal indicative of said parameter associated with the relative displacement between said at least one artificial joint member and said at least one natural bone of said joint.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said detection system includes at least one resonance circuit element implanted within or attached to said at least one artificial joint member and at least one magnetic element implanted within, or attached to, said at least one natural bone of said joint or vice versa, such that when said at least one resonance circuit element is energized said at least one resonance circuit produces a signal of oscillating frequency which is a function of a distance between said at least one resonance circuit element and said at least one magnetic element, said distance being said parameter associated with said wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said at least one resonance circuit element includes plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements each producing a distinct signal of oscillating frequency upon being energized, said distinct signal being proportional to a distance between a resonance circuit element of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements and said at least one magnetic element.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one artificial joint member is a part of an artificial joint selected from the group consisting of an artificial shoulder joint, an artificial hip joint, an artificial knee joint, an artificial elbow joint, an artificial ankle joint, an artificial wrist joint, an artificial carpo-metacarpal joint, an artificial metacarpo-phalangeal joint, an artificial interphalangeal joint and an artificial metatarso-phalangeal joint.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one artificial joint member is fabricated from at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium alloy, cobalt alloy, polymeric material, ceramics and composite materials.

16. An artificial joint system comprising:

(a) an artificial joint assembly implantable within an individual, said artificial joint assembly including a first artificial joint assembly member having a first articulating surface and further including a second artificial joint assembly member having a second articulating surface, said first and said second articulating surfaces being in articulative engagement therebetween;

(b) a detection system implanted within, or attached to, said artificial joint assembly, said detection system being designed and configured for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

17. The artificial joint system of claim 16, further comprising an extracorporeal unit, said extracorporeal unit being for communicating to said detection system an energizing signal and further being for receiving from said detection system said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

18. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said detection system includes at least one resonance circuit element implanted within or attached to said first artificial joint assembly member and at least one magnetic element implanted within, attached to, or forming a part of said second artificial joint assembly member, such that when said at least one resonance circuit element is energized said at least one resonance circuit produces a signal of oscillating frequency which is function of a distance between said at least one resonance circuit element and said at least one magnetic element, said distance being said parameter associated with said wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

19. The artificial joint system of claim 18, wherein said at least one resonance circuit element includes plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements implanted within or attached to said first artificial joint assembly member, each of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements producing a distinct signal of oscillating frequency upon being energized, said distinct signal being proportional to a distance between a resonance circuit element of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements and said at least one magnetic element.

20. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said artificial joint assembly is an artificial shoulder joint, an artificial hip joint, an artificial elbow joint, an artificial ankle joint, an artificial wrist joint, an artificial carpo-metacarpal joint, an artificial metacarpo-phalangeal joint, an artificial interphalangeal joint and an artificial metatarso-phalangeal joint.

21. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said artificial joint assembly further includes a third artificial joint assembly member having a third articulating surface, said third articulating surface being in articulative engagement with at least one of said first and said second articulative surfaces.

22. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said artificial joint assembly is an artificial knee joint.

23. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said first and said second artificial joint assembly members are each fabricated from at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium alloy, cobalt alloy, polymeric material, ceramics and composite materials.

24. The artificial joint system of claim 16, wherein said first and said second artificial joint assembly members each include a portion distant to said articulating surface thereof, said portion being for attaching each of said first and said second artificial joint assembly members to a natural bone of a joint when implanted within the individual.

25. A method of determining a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of an artificial joint, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an artificial joint assembly system including;

(i) an artificial joint assembly implantable within an individual, said artificial joint assembly including a first artificial joint assembly member having a first articulating surface and further including a second artificial joint assembly member having a second articulating surface, said first and said second articulating surfaces being in articulative engagement therebetween; and

(ii) a detection system implanted within, or attached to, said artificial joint assembly, said detection system being for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces; and

(b) extracorporeally energizing said detection system so as to receive outside the body said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces; and

(c) processing said information signal received so as to yield said parameter associated with said wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein step (b) is effected by an extracorporeal unit, said extracorporeal unit being for communicating to said detection system an energizing signal and fiber being for receiving from said detection system said information signal indicative of a parameter associated with wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said detection system includes at least one resonance circuit element implanted within or attached to said first artificial joint assembly member and at least one magnetic element implanted within, or attached to, said second artificial joint assembly member, such that when said at least one resonance circuit element is energized said at least one resonance circuit produces a signal of oscillating frequency which is function of a distance between said at least one resonance circuit element and said at least one magnetic element, said distance being said parameter associated with said wear or relative displacement of said articulating surfaces.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein said at least one resonance circuit element includes plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements implanted within or attached to said first artificial joint assembly member, each of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements producing a distinct signal of oscillating frequency upon being energized, said distinct signal being function of a distance between a resonance circuit element of said plurality of distinct resonance circuit elements and said at least one magnetic element.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein said artificial joint assembly is an artificial shoulder joint, an artificial hip joint an artificial elbow joint, an artificial ankle joint, an artificial wrist joint, an artificial carpo-metacarpal joint, an artificial metacarpo-phalangeal, an artificial interphalangeal joint and an artificial metatarso-phalangeal joint.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein said artificial joint assembly further includes a third artificial joint assembly member having a third articulating surface, said third articulating surface being in articulative engagement with at least one of said first and said second articulative surfaces.

31. The method of claim 25, wherein said artificial joint assembly is an artificial knee joint.

32. The method of claim 25, wherein said first and said second artificial joint assembly members are each fabricated from at least one material selected from the group consisting of stainless steels, titanium alloy, cobalt alloy, polymeric material, ceramics and composite materials.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein said first and said second artificial joint assembly members each include a portion distant to said articulating surface thereof, said portion being for attaching each of said first and said second artificial joint assembly members to a natural bone of a joint when implanted within the individual.