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Adjustable orthopedic implant and method for treating an orthopedic condition in a subject

  • US 9,095,437 B2
  • Filed: 08/21/2009
  • Issued: 08/04/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:

  • detecting, via one or more sensors, a change in at least one of strain, pressure, or position of at least one orthopedic structure of a mammalian subject physically coupled to an adjustment mechanism of an indwelling orthopedic implant, the adjustment mechanism consisting of tension band wiring in combination with one or more of pins, screws, or intramedullary nails or rods;

    transcutaneously reporting, via one or more transceivers, information indicative of the detected change to a network remote from the mammalian subject;

    receiving, via one or more transceivers, energy from an energy source remote from the mammalian subject, the remote energy source operably coupled to an ultrasonic actuator via ultrasonic energy to remotely power at least six motors directly connected to the at least one adjustment mechanism, to move the adjustment mechanism of the indwelling orthopedic implant responsive to receiving reporting information from the remote network indicative of the detected change, wherein the at least six motors are configured to move the adjustment mechanism in six degrees of freedom; and

    transcutaneously receiving, via the one or more transceivers, control commands from the remote network to actuate the adjustment mechanism responsive to reporting information indicative of the detected change to adjust a curvature of the at least one orthopedic structure.

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