Implantable sensors and methods of use
First Claim
1. A spinal implant-monitoring apparatus, comprising:
- a bridge defining a first hermetically-sealed interior and including a first leg and a second leg that extend parallel to one another and laterally from a span of the bridge;
one or more strain gauges contained within the first hermetically-sealed interior to provide a signal indicative of strain measured at the bridge;
a first clamp and a second clamp, the clamps being configured to be rigidly secured to a rod implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, wherein each of the first and second clamp defines a respective recess into which a respective first or second leg of the bridge is inserted and secured, and wherein one or both of the clamps define a platform adjacent the respective recess;
a housing defining a second hermetically-sealed interior, the housing mounted on the platform defined by one or both of the clamps, adjacent the bridge; and
control circuitry contained within the second hermetically-sealed interior, the control circuitry in communication with the one or more strain gauges and configured to convert the signal into digital data representative of the signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for obtaining medical diagnostic measurements from implanted sensors. In various embodiments, a spinal implant-monitoring apparatus may include: a bridge defining a first hermetically-sealed interior and two or more legs; one or more strain gauges contained within the first hermetically-sealed interior of the bridge to provide a signal indicative of strain measured between the legs of the bridge; a housing defining a second hermetically-sealed interior, the housing mounted on a surface of the bridge; and control circuitry contained within the second hermetically-sealed interior. The control circuitry may be in communication with the one or more strain gauges and may be configured to convert the signal into digital data representative of the signal. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed.
26 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A spinal implant-monitoring apparatus, comprising:
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a bridge defining a first hermetically-sealed interior and including a first leg and a second leg that extend parallel to one another and laterally from a span of the bridge; one or more strain gauges contained within the first hermetically-sealed interior to provide a signal indicative of strain measured at the bridge; a first clamp and a second clamp, the clamps being configured to be rigidly secured to a rod implanted in a patient'"'"'s body, wherein each of the first and second clamp defines a respective recess into which a respective first or second leg of the bridge is inserted and secured, and wherein one or both of the clamps define a platform adjacent the respective recess; a housing defining a second hermetically-sealed interior, the housing mounted on the platform defined by one or both of the clamps, adjacent the bridge; and control circuitry contained within the second hermetically-sealed interior, the control circuitry in communication with the one or more strain gauges and configured to convert the signal into digital data representative of the signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification