Methods for detecting osteolytic conditions in the body
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A detection system for detecting a condition of a bone comprising:
- a sensor capable of operating in vivo to detect a cytokine associated with a condition of a bone and to generate a signal representative of a level of the detected cytokine, the sensor configured to be positioned in direct contact with the bone and extending through and in engagement with an artificial implant, the artificial implant defining an opening such that the sensor extends through the opening and into the bone, the sensor having an outer surface configured to detect the cytokine, the outer surface including a bone engaging portion configured for disposal within the bone and for directly detecting the cytokine in the bone, the bone engaging portion extending from an outer surface of the artificial implant, and the sensor having an implant portion having an end surface being aligned with an inner surface of the artificial implant;
a transmitter operable to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal;
a receiver operable to receive the signal from the transmitter and to enable a human intelligible display representative of the signal;
at least one control sensor capable of operating in vivo at an area remote from the sensor, and operable to detect a condition in a bone at the remote area and to generate a signal representative of the detected condition; and
a signal processor operable to receive and compare signals generated by the sensor and signals generated by the at least one control sensor, and operable to send a signal to the transmitter when a signal received from the sensor deviates from a signal received from the at least one control sensor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for detecting a biological response indicative of osteolysis or osteolytic pre-conditions in bone.
-
Citations
30 Claims
-
1. A detection system for detecting a condition of a bone comprising:
-
a sensor capable of operating in vivo to detect a cytokine associated with a condition of a bone and to generate a signal representative of a level of the detected cytokine, the sensor configured to be positioned in direct contact with the bone and extending through and in engagement with an artificial implant, the artificial implant defining an opening such that the sensor extends through the opening and into the bone, the sensor having an outer surface configured to detect the cytokine, the outer surface including a bone engaging portion configured for disposal within the bone and for directly detecting the cytokine in the bone, the bone engaging portion extending from an outer surface of the artificial implant, and the sensor having an implant portion having an end surface being aligned with an inner surface of the artificial implant; a transmitter operable to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal; a receiver operable to receive the signal from the transmitter and to enable a human intelligible display representative of the signal; at least one control sensor capable of operating in vivo at an area remote from the sensor, and operable to detect a condition in a bone at the remote area and to generate a signal representative of the detected condition; and a signal processor operable to receive and compare signals generated by the sensor and signals generated by the at least one control sensor, and operable to send a signal to the transmitter when a signal received from the sensor deviates from a signal received from the at least one control sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A detection system for detecting a condition of a bone comprising:
-
a sensor located in vivo in direct contact with the bone and operable to detect an analyte associated with the onset of an osteolytic condition in the bone and generate a signal representative of a level of the detected analyte, the sensor having an outer surface configured to detect the analyte, the outer surface including a bone engaging portion configured for disposal within the bone and for directly detecting the analvte in the bone, the bone engaging portion extending from an outer surface of an artificial implant, the artificial implant defining an opening such that the sensor extends through the opening and into the bone, and the sensor having an implant portion being aligned with a spherical inner surface of the artificial implant; a first signal processor operable to receive a signal from the sensor and to transmit the signal; a transmitter operable to receive the signal from the first signal processor and to transmit the signal; a receiver operable to receive the signal from the transmitter and to transmit the signal; a second signal processor operable to receive the signal from the receiver and to transmit the signal; an indicator operable to receive the signal from the second signal processor and provide a human intelligible display representative of the signal; at least one control sensor located in vivo at an area remote from the sensor, and operable to detect a condition in a bone at the remote area and to generate a signal representative of the detected condition; and analysis circuitry operable to compare a signal received from the transmitter to a control, and to send a signal to the indicator that is either implanted close to the surface of skin or ex vivo so that a signal from the indicator can be observed either through the skin or external to a body of a patient when the signal received from the transmitter exceeds the control; wherein the first signal processor is operable to receive and compare signals generated by the sensor and signals generated by the at least one control sensor, and to send a signal to the transmitter when a signal received from the sensor deviates from a signal received from the at least one control sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A detection system for detecting a condition of a bone comprising:
-
an in vivo sensor adapted to detect a cytokine in the bone and generate a signal representative of the detected cytokine, the sensor having an outer surface configured to detect the cytokine, the outer surface including a bone engaging portion configured for disposal within the bone and for directly detecting the cytokine in the bone, the bone engaging portion extending from an outer surface of an artificial implant, the artificial implant defining an opening such that the sensor extends through the opening and into the bone, and the sensor having an implant portion having an end surface being aligned with an inner surface of the artificial implant; a transmitter operable to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal; a receiver operable to receive the signal from the transmitter and to enable a human intelligible display representative of the signal; at least one control sensor located in vivo at an area remote from the sensor, and operable to detect a condition of a bone at the remote area and to generate a signal representative of the detected condition; and a signal processor operable to receive and compare signals generated by the sensor and signals generated by the at least one control sensor, and operable to send a signal to the transmitter when a signal received from the sensor deviates from a signal received from the at least one control sensor. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
-
Specification