Intraosteal ultrasound during surgical implantation

• US 6,849,047 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cutting Edge Surgical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Cutting Edge Surgical Incorporated
• Inventors: Goodwin, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US10/403,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187348A1
• Time in Patent Office: 676 Days
• Field of Search: 600437-471, 600/407, 600/561, 600/587, 600/559, 606 53-1055, 514/365, 623/17.16, 604/22, 310/334
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1626 Control means; Display units
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1671 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1757 for the spine
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0833 involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0841 for locating instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0858 involving measuring tissue layers, e.g. skin, interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0875 for diagnosis of bone A61B5/4504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4405 Device being mounted on a trolley
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

IntraOsteal UltraSound (IOUS) is the use of acoustical energy to facilitate “real-time” manipulation and navigation of a device for intraosseous placement of synthetic or biologic implants and to diagnose the condition of the tissue into which the implant is being placed. Representative applications include placement of synthetic or biologic implants, such as bone screws, through vertebral pedicles during spinal fusion surgery. Devices for use in the placement of the implants include a means for creating a lumen or channel into the bone at the desired site in combination with a probe for providing realtime feedback of differences in density of the tissue, typically differences in acoustical impedance between cancellous and cortical bone. The devices will also typically include means for monitoring the feedback such as a screen creating an image for the surgeon as he creates the channel, and/or an audible signal which different tissues are present. The system can also be used for diagnostic applications.

Claims

1. A method of measuring bore characteristics comprising

introducing into a region inside of a bone a transducer and receiver for ultrasound or audio signals, and

monitoring differences in acoustical impedance as the transducer and receiver are moved through the region.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the bone characteristic is thickness.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the bone characteristic is identification and confirmation of pseudoarthrosis in failed spinal fusions.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the bone characteristic is bone-to-avascular-necrosis interface.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the bone characteristic is an osteoid osteoma or vascular lesion.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the vascular lesion is an aneurismal bone cyst.