Strain monitoring system and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
- a sensor;
said sensor comprising an inter-digitated area variation capacitor;
wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of free-standing inter-digitated fingers; and
wherein lateral movement of the inter-digitated fingers produces a change in capacitance detected by said sensor;
a transmitter;
said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and
an antenna;
said antenna coupled to said transmitter;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host;
wherein the sensor is configured to be coupled to an internal body member of the host;
wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for monitoring said change in capacitance to measure a characteristic of loading on said body member.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring strain as an indicator of biological conditions, such as spinal fusion, glucose levels, spinal loading, and heart rate. The system includes an inter-digitated capacitor sensor, and RF transmitter, and an associated antenna, all of which are microminiature or microscopic in size and can be implanted in a biological host such as a human or animal. An inductively coupled power supply is also employed to avoid the need for implantation of chemical batteries. Power is provided to the sensor and transmitter, and data is transmitted from the sensor, when an external receiving device, such as a handheld RF ID type receiver, is placed proximate the location of the implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply. The implanted sensor, transmitter and inductively coupled power supply can be left in place permanently or removed when desired.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor; said sensor comprising an inter-digitated area variation capacitor; wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of free-standing inter-digitated fingers; and
wherein lateral movement of the inter-digitated fingers produces a change in capacitance detected by said sensor;a transmitter; said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and an antenna; said antenna coupled to said transmitter; wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host; wherein the sensor is configured to be coupled to an internal body member of the host; wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for monitoring said change in capacitance to measure a characteristic of loading on said body member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor; said sensor comprising an inter-digitated area variation capacitor; wherein said sensor comprises a plurality of free-standing inter-digitated fingers; and
wherein lateral movement of the inter-digitated fingers produces a change in capacitance detected by said sensor;a transmitter; said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and an antenna; said antenna coupled to said transmitter; wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host; and wherein said sensor is adapted for measuring skeletal loading via said change in capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. An apparatus for sensing strain, comprising:
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a sensor; said sensor comprising an inter-digitated area variation capacitor; a transmitter; said transmitter coupled to said sensor; and an antenna; said antenna coupled to said transmitter; wherein said sensor, said transmitter, and said antenna are adapted for implantation in a biological host; wherein said sensor is adapted for coupling to a fixation device implanted within the body of the biological host; wherein said sensor is configured to produce a signal representative of strain in said fixation device; and wherein said transmitter is configured for transmitting said signal representative of strain; wherein said inter-digitated area variation capacitor comprises a plurality of free-standing inter-digitated fingers; and wherein lateral movement of the inter-digitated fingers produces a change in capacitance detected by said sensor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification