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.
Abstract:
A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device (100) comprises an insert dock (202) and a sensing module (200). The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages, electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The sensing assemblages comprise a load disc (2004) and a piezo-resistive sensor (2002) to measure the parameter. An elastic support structure or springs (1108) is coupled between the top plate (1502) and the bottom plate (1504) to prevent cantilevering of a surface.
Abstract:
A measurement system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a capacitor, a signal generator, a digital counter, counter register, a digital clock, a digital timer, and a data register. The sensor of the measurement system is the capacitor. The measurement system generates a repeating signal having a measurement cycle that corresponds to the capacitance of the capacitor. The capacitor comprises more than one capacitor mechanically in series. Electrically, the capacitor comprises more than one capacitor in parallel. In one embodiment, the capacitor includes a dielectric layer comprising polyimide. A force, pressure, or load is applied to the capacitor that elastically compresses the device.
Abstract:
A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device (100) comprises an insert dock 202 and a sensing module 200. The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensors (303), electronic circuitry (307), a capacitor (1410), and communication circuitry (320). The electronic circuitry (307) operatively couples to the one or more sensors (303) to measure the parameter. A transmitter (309) transmits parameter measurements. The capacitor (1410) can store sufficient charge to power the sensing module (200) for a total joint reconstruction operation. Energy is wirelessly coupled to an induction coil (1404) thereby generating a power signal that provides charge to the capacitor (1410).
Abstract:
A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages (2302), electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages (2302) are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The bottom plate (1504) is supported by a ledge (1708) on an interior surface of a sidewall (1716) of a housing (1706). A cap (1702) couples to top plate (1502). The sensing assemblage (2302) includes one of a piezo-resistive sensor, MEMS sensor, strain gauge, or mechanical sensor when a force, pressure, or load is applied to the top plate (1502).
Abstract:
A sensor system uses positive closed-loop feedback to provide energy waves into a medium. It comprises a transducer (604), a propagating structure (602), and a transducer (606). A parameter is applied to the propagating structure that affects the medium. A sensor is coupled to a propagation tuned oscillator (416) that forms a positive closed-loop feedback path. The propagation tuned oscillator (416) includes a zero-crossing receiver (200) that generates a pulse upon sensing a transition of an energy wave from the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) is in the feedback path that maintains the emission of energy waves into the propagating structure (602). The zero-crossing receiver (200) comprises a preamplifier (206), a filter (208), an offset adjustment circuit (210), a comparator (212) and a pulse circuit (218). The transit time, phase, or frequency is measured of the propagating energy waves and correlated to the parameter being measured.
Abstract:
A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device (100) comprises an insert dock 202 and a sensing module 200. The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensors (303), electronic circuitry (307), and communication circuitry (320). The electronic circuitry (307) operatively couples to the one or more sensors (303) to measure the parameter. A transmitter (309) transmits parameter measurements. An induction coil (1404) is coupled electromagnetically to a wireless energy source (1402). The induction coil converts electromagnetic energy waves to a signal that powers the sensing module (200). The signal includes information or data. The signal is demodulated to capture the data or information.
Abstract:
At least one embodiment is directed to a sensor for measuring a parameter. A signal path of the system comprises an amplifier (612), a sensor element, and an amplifier (620). The sensor element comprises a transducer (4), a waveguide (5), and a transducer (30). A parameter such as force or pressure applied to the sensor element can change the length of waveguide (5). A pulsed energy wave is emitted by the transducer (4) into the waveguide (5) at a first location. The transducer (30) is responsive pulsed energy waves at a second location of the waveguide (5). The transit time of each pulsed energy wave is measured. The transit time corresponds to the pressure or force applied to the sensor element.
Abstract:
A sensing insert device (100) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device (100) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device (100) comprises an insert dock (202) and a sensing module (200). The sensing module (200) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module (200) comprises one or more sensing assemblages, electronic circuitry (307), an antenna (2302), and communication circuitry (320). The sensing assemblages are between a top plate (1502) and a bottom plate (1504) in a sensing platform (121). The sensing assemblages comprise a load disc (2004) and a piezo-resistive sensor (2002) to measure the parameter. An elastic support structure or springs (1108) is coupled between the top plate (1502) and the bottom plate (1504) to prevent cantilevering of a surface.
Abstract:
A measurement system for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a propagation medium is disclosed. The measurement system comprises a sensing module (200) and an insert dock (202). The sensing module (200) includes a load sensing platform (121), an accelerometer (122), and sensing assemblies (123). In one embodiment, a force or load applied by the muscular-skeletal system is measured. The force or load is applied to the sensing assembly (123). The accelerometer (122) generates motion data. The motion data includes acceleration data. The force or load measured by sensing assembly (123) in combination with the motion data captured by the accelerometer (122) is used to calculate a total force or load. A second accelerometer can be used to provide reference position information. The sensing assemblies (123) comprise a transducer (304), an elastic or compressible propagation structure (305), and a second transducer (314).