Sensor and method for spinal monitoring

• US 7,993,269 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2006
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Olson, Stanley Warren Jr., Tethrake, Steven, Donofrio, William T., Nycz, Jeffrey H.
• Primary Examiner(s): JAWORSKI, FRANCIS J
• Application Number:
  US11/356,687
• Publication Number:
  US 20070232958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,999 Days
• Field of Search: 600309-310, 600/316, 600/345, 600/361, 600/363, 600/437, 600/473, 600/475, 600/561, 600/587, 600594-595
• US Class Current: 600/309
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0214 of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/043 in a linear array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• 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 5/1116 Determining posture transitions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4509 Bone density determination
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4514 Cartilage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6878 Bone
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A sensor for detecting changes in spinal tissue is disclosed. The implantable sensor or surgical instrument includes a sensing element adapted for detecting indicators of tissue health. The sensor is configured for transmitting the tissue data outside of the body. Further a system and method are provided to utilize the sensed tissue properties to treat the patient'"'"'s condition.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating a condition of at least a portion of a spinal segment in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

providing a sensor having a sensing element and a communication circuit;

implanting at least the sensing element into the patient'"'"'s body;

directing an energy signal toward the patient'"'"'s spine;

sensing a reflected energy signal at the sensing element to measure at least one nutrient opening in a portion of a spinal segment; and

communicating the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user;

wherein sensing the reflected energy signal provides a measurement of a plurality of nutrient openings in a vertebral endplate.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a disc space of the spinal segment located between upper and lower vertebral bodies.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into the nucleus of the spinal segment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement includes the size of the nutrient opening.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the measurement includes the flow of material through the nutrient opening.

6. The method of claim 1, further including determining the distribution of the nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.

7. The method of claim 1, further including determining the porosity of the nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said directing includes emitting an energy signal from said sensor.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the communication circuit is utilized to communicate the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user.

10. A method for evaluating a condition of at least a portion of a spinal segment in a patient'"'"'s body, comprising:

providing a sensor having a sensing element and a communication circuit;

implanting at least the sensing element into the patient'"'"'s body directing an energy signal toward the patient'"'"'s spine;

sensing a reflected energy signal at the sensing element to measure at least one nutrient opening in a portion of a spinal segment; and

communicating the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user,

wherein said sensing a reflected energy signal includes measuring at least one nutrient opening in a vertebral endplate.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the communication circuit is utilized to communicate the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a disc space of the spinal segment located between upper and lower vertebral bodies.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a nucleus of the spinal segment.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the measured at least one nutrient opening communicated to the user includes the size of the nutrient opening.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the measured at least one nutrient opening communicated to the user includes the flow of material through the nutrient opening.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensing the reflected energy signal provides a measurement of a plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the distribution of the plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining the porosity of the plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.

19. The method of claim 10, wherein the directing an energy signal includes emitting an energy signal from the sensing element.