Method and apparatus for testing suture anchors
First Claim
1. A system for resting the strength of an anchor installed into a bone, the system comprising:
- at least one sensor configured to generate a signal responsive to a force at the sensor;
a mechanical link associated with the at least one sensor and detachably connected to the anchor that is installed into the bone for applying a force thereto in a direction away from the bone and for transmitting the applied force to the at least one sensor;
a controller for receiving the signal generated by the at least one sensor; and
an indicator operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller compares the signal received from the at least one sensor with a thresh- old, and activates the indicator when the sensor signal exceeds the threshold.
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Abstract
A system for determining whether sutures and/or bone anchors satisfy some minimum strength threshold. The system includes a handle that contains a sensor for measuring forces or loads (e.g., a strain gauge), an indicator, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the sensor and the indicator. During use, a surgeon installs an anchor into a patient'"'"'s bone. To test the strength of the anchor, the sensor is connected to the anchor preferably by some mechanical linkage, such as a rod or shaft. The surgeon then pulls on the handle. By pulling on the handle, a corresponding force is applied to the anchor through the mechanical linkage. As the surgeon pulls, the controller receives a signal from the sensor that is proportional to the force or load being applied to the anchor. The controller compares the sensor signal with some pre-determined threshold. When the signal exceeds the threshold, the controller activates the indicator, thereby alerting the surgeon that the anchor has withstood the requisite load or force, and is thus securely attached to the patient'"'"'s bone.
117 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for resting the strength of an anchor installed into a bone, the system comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to generate a signal responsive to a force at the sensor;
a mechanical link associated with the at least one sensor and detachably connected to the anchor that is installed into the bone for applying a force thereto in a direction away from the bone and for transmitting the applied force to the at least one sensor;
a controller for receiving the signal generated by the at least one sensor; and
an indicator operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller compares the signal received from the at least one sensor with a thresh- old, and activates the indicator when the sensor signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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5. A system for testing the strength of sutures connected to an anchor installed into a bone, the system comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to generate a signal responsive to a linear force at the sensor;
means for connecting the sutures, that are connected to the anchor installed in the bone, to the at least one sensor;
a controller for receiving the signal generated by the at least one sensor; and
an indicator operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller compares the signal received from the at least one sensor with a threshold, and activates the Indicator when the sensor signal exceeds the threshold. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A system for testing the strength of an anchor installed into a bone, the system comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to generate a signal responsive to a force at the sensor;
a mechanical link associated with the at least one sensor and detachably connected to the anchor that is installed into the bone for applying a force thereto in a direction away from the bone and for transmitting the applied force to the at least one sensor;
a controller for receiving the signal generated by the at least one sensor; and
an indicator operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the controller activates the indicator in response to the signal received from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus for testing the strength of an anchor installed into a bone, the apparatus comprising:
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at least one sensor configured to generate a signal in response to a force;
a link associated with the at least one sensor for applying a force to the anchor which is at least in part in a direction away from the bone and for transmitting the applied force to the at least one sensor; and
an indicator operably coupled to the at least one sensor, the indicator configured to activate based on the signal from the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification