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Medical implant systems

  • US 20060111767A1
  • Filed: 12/21/2005
  • Published: 05/25/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2003
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A medical fastener installation system for installing a medical fastener within a patient which system enables detection of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener during installation of the fastener, comprising (a) a fastener and (b) a driver engageable with the fastener for installing the fastener within a patient and disengageable from the fastener after installation of the fastener, wherein the driver and fastener are each configured to have communicating bores extending through their lengths for passage of (c) an electrically communicative element having a first portion located within the bore of the fastener, and in electrical communication with the exterior of the fastener and a second portion located within the bore of the driver and configured to be in electrical communication with the first portion of the electrically communicative element when the driver is engaged with the fastener and not in electrical communication with the first portion of the electrically communicative element when the driver is disengaged from the fastener, (d) a source of electrical power, and (e) a detector associated with the driver and configured to indicate the presence of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener during installation of the fastener with the driver when the driver and the fastener are engaged and the first and second portions of the electrically communicative element are placed in electrical communication with one another, the source of electrical power and the detector each being in electrical communication with the electrically conductive element when the driver and the fastener are engaged during installation of the fastener, wherein when an electrical force is applied to the electrically communicative element via the source of electrical power during installation of the fastener using the driver, electrical signals will be generated by the patient in response to the presence of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener, with such electrical signals being conducted via the engaged driver and fastener and the electrically communicative element to the detector to indicate the presence of electrically responsive tissue proximate the fastener to enable detection of the electrically responsive tissue during installation of the fastener.

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