Smart device for non-invasive skeletal adjustment
First Claim
1. An implantable device and system that allows post-operative adjustment of the movement, positions, or both movement and positions of members of the skeletal system relative to each other, comprising:
- a first extension-resisting member;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each other;
a second extension-resisting member;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each other;
a compression-resisting member;
wherein this compression-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this compression-resisting member offers resistance to compression; and
wherein this compression-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
an internal control unit;
wherein this internal control unit includes an actuator;
wherein this internal control unit is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this internal control unit enables post-operative changes in an extension-resisting member in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner;
wherein these changes are selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion; and
wherein these changes can be adjusted and reversed in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is an implantable device and system that allows post-operative, non-invasive adjustment of members of the skeletal system. It includes extension-resisting members and a compression-resisting member that connect members of the skeletal system. Post-operative, non-invasive adjustment of the tensions, lengths, widths, and/or torsions of the extension-resisting members changes the relative movement, position, or both movement and position of members of the skeletal system. The compression-resisting member may act as a fulcrum. This invention can help to pioneer the evolution of “smart” orthopedic devices that adjust skeletal biodynamics to address changing clinical needs and changes in patient activity over time. Some promising applications include: dynamic stabilization of the spine; correction of scoliosis; and bone elongation.
143 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An implantable device and system that allows post-operative adjustment of the movement, positions, or both movement and positions of members of the skeletal system relative to each other, comprising:
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a first extension-resisting member;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each other;a second extension-resisting member;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each other;a compression-resisting member;
wherein this compression-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this compression-resisting member offers resistance to compression; and
wherein this compression-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; andan internal control unit;
wherein this internal control unit includes an actuator;
wherein this internal control unit is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this internal control unit enables post-operative changes in an extension-resisting member in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner;
wherein these changes are selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion; and
wherein these changes can be adjusted and reversed in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An implantable device and system that allows post-operative adjustment of the movement, positions, or both movement and positions of members of the skeletal system relative to each other, comprising:
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one or more extension-resisting members;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each;a compression-resisting member;
wherein this compression-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this compression-resisting member offers resistance to compression; and
wherein this compression-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; andan internal control unit;
wherein this internal control unit includes an actuator;
wherein this internal control unit is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this internal control unit enables post-operative changes in an extension-resisting member in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner;
wherein these changes are selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion; and
wherein these changes can be adjusted and reversed in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An implantable device and system that allows post-operative adjustment of the movement, positions, or both movement and positions of members of the skeletal system relative to each other, comprising:
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one or more extension-resisting members;
wherein this extension-resisting member is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this extension-resisting member can be extended by application of force, but which offers resistance to such extension;
wherein one or more post-operative changes in the extension-resisting member can be made in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner by a human operator, by automatic means, or by both human operator and automatic means, and wherein a change in the extension-resisting member is selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion;
wherein this extension-resisting member is configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to two or more members of the skeletal system; and
wherein one or more changes in the extension-resisting member can cause one or more movements of the members of the skeletal system relative to each;an internal control unit;
wherein this internal control unit includes an actuator;
wherein this internal control unit is implanted into the body of a mammal;
wherein this internal control unit enables post-operative changes in an extension-resisting member in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner;
wherein these changes are selected from the group consisting of a change in tension, a change in length, a change in width, and a change in torsion; and
wherein these changes can be adjusted and reversed in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner; anda remote control unit;
wherein this remote control unit is external to the body and can wirelessly control the internal control unit in a non-invasive or minimally-invasive manner.
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Specification