Apparatus for sensing strain on a spinal fusion rod

• US 10,285,637 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2015
• Issued: 05/14/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of Louisville
• Original Assignee: University of Louisville
• Inventors: Hnat, William P., Voor, Michael J., Burden, Jr., Robert Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): McCrosky, David J.
• Application Number:
  US14/937,300
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 73862633
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/685 Elements to be fitted on the end of screws or wires, e.g. protective caps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7041 with single longitudinal rod offset laterally from single row of screws or hooks A61B17/7044 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/7049 Connectors, not bearing on the vertebrae, for linking longitudinal elements together A61B17/7055, A61B17/7053, A61B17/7019 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0261 Strain gauges
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4566 Evaluating the spine A61B5/4561 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/686 Permanently implanted devices, e.g. pacemakers, other stimulators, biochips A61B5/6861 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus are described herein for obtaining medical diagnostic measurements from implanted sensors. In various embodiments, an apparatus may include two or more clamps to be rigidly clamped to the spinal fusion rod at a distance from one another, and a strain-sensing system that is removably mountable to the two or more clamps to span the distance. The strain-sensing system may include one or more strain-sensing elements. In various embodiments, the two or more clamps may be configured to transfer strain detected in the spinal fusion rod to the one or more strain-sensing elements of the strain-sensing system.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sensing strain on a spinal fusion rod, comprising:

two or more clamps to be rigidly clamped to the spinal fusion rod at a distance from one another, wherein each of the two or more clamps is formed as a unitary and continuous component that includes a spine and first and second portions that extend from the spine parallel to one another to define a spinal fusion rod receiving area therebetween, wherein the spine includes a notch to facilitate flexibility between the first and second portions such that they are movable toward each other to pinch the spinal fusion rod; and

a strain-sensing system that is removably mountable to the two or more clamps to span the distance, the strain-sensing system including one or more strain-sensing elements, and wherein the two or more clamps define a channel in which the strain-sensing system is suspended;

wherein the two or more clamps are configured to transfer strain detected in the straight or curved spinal fusion rod to the one or more strain-sensing elements of the strain-sensing system.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more strain-sensing elements comprise one or more strain gauges.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the notch includes a rounded terminal portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions include respective clamping apertures that are aligned with each other to receive a fastening mechanism.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one of the clamping apertures is at least partially open to receive the fastening mechanism from a lateral direction.