Prosthetic component for monitoring synovial fluid and method
First Claim
1. A prosthetic component comprising:
- at least one optical sensor; and
electronic circuitry coupled to the optical sensor where the electronic circuitry is housed in the prosthetic component and where the at least one optical sensor and electronic circuitry is configured to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the prosthetic component.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A prosthetic component suitable for long-term implantation is provided. The prosthetic component includes electronic circuitry and sensors to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The prosthetic component comprises a first structure having at least one support surface, a second structure having at least one feature configured to couple to bone, and at least one sensor. The electronic circuitry and sensors are hermetically sealed within the prosthetic component. One or more sensors can be used to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the joint to determine joint health. The prosthetic component includes a transmissive region. One or more optical sensors are mounted in proximity to the transmissive region. Periodic measurements of the synovial fluid are measured through the transmissive region. The measurements can include color and turbidity of the synovial fluid. The color and turbidity data can be compared against known data to determine joint status.
44 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A prosthetic component comprising:
-
at least one optical sensor; and electronic circuitry coupled to the optical sensor where the electronic circuitry is housed in the prosthetic component and where the at least one optical sensor and electronic circuitry is configured to monitor synovial fluid in proximity to the prosthetic component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A method of long-term joint monitoring comprising the steps of:
-
housing electronic circuitry and one or more sensors in a prosthetic component; periodically measuring a characteristic of synovial fluid in proximity to the prosthetic component; and comparing measurements of the synovial fluid. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method of long-term joint monitoring comprising the steps of:
-
housing electronic circuitry and one or more sensors in a prosthetic component; and periodically measuring turbidity of synovial fluid in proximity to the prosthetic component. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification