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Tissue discrimination and applications in medical procedures

  • US 8,090,436 B2
  • Filed: 10/29/2009
  • Issued: 01/03/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for preventing violation of a cortical wall of a pedicle during spine surgery, said pedicle including a cancellous core within said cortical wall, said system comprising:

  • (a) a screw configured for advancement and purchase into said pedicle and having a non-conductive shaft and a conductive tip; and

    (b) a processor in electrical communication with the screw, the processor configured to direct application of an electrical signal to the conductive tip and determine at least one of the capacitance and impedance characteristics of the tissue adjacent to said conductive tip to determine whether said conductive tip lies within or adjacent cortical bone, cancellous bone, and cortical bone near the boundary with soft tissue.

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