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US 10,441,210 B2Granted
Method of normalizing implant strain readings to assess bone healing
AssigneeDePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
InventorsCarl Deirmengian, George Mikhail, Glen Pierson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A device for treating bone in a living body includes (a) comprises an implant configured for attachment to a bone; (b) a first sensor measuring a strain on a first portion of the implant, the first portion of the implant being configured to be mechanically coupled to a weakened portion of a bone when the implant is coupled to the bone in a target position in combination; and (c) a second sensor measuring strain in a non-weakened portion of the bone.
Claims20
A device for treating bone in a living body, comprising:
- an implant configured for attachment to an exterior of a bone;
- a first sensor measuring a strain on a first portion of the implant, the first portion of the implant being configured to be mechanically coupled to a weakened portion of a bone when the implant is coupled to the bone in a target position;
- and
- a second sensor isolated between two bone fixation element receiving holes of the implant measuring strain in a non-weakened portion of the bone.
1 more element
A system for tracking a bone healing progress, comprising:
- an implant fixing a fracture of a bone including a first sensor measuring strain mounted thereon at a position which, when the implant is mounted on an exterior of the bone in a target position, is mechanically coupled to a fracture of the bone;
- and
- a second sensor isolated between two bone fixation element receiving holes of the implant measuring strain on a portion of the bone separated from the fracture such that a ratio of the first strain to the second strain normalizes an effect of loads on the bone and indicates an increased stiffness as the fracture heals.
A method, comprising:
- measuring strain on a first portion of an implant via a first sensor which, when the implant is coupled to a bone in a desired configuration, is mechanically coupled to a fracture of the bone, the implant being attached to an exterior of a bone;
- measuring a second strain spaced from the fracture in a non-weakened portion of the bone via a second sensor isolated between two bone fixation element receiving holes of the implant;
- and
- determining a ratio of the strain measured by the first sensor to the strain measured by the second sensor to normalize an effect of loads on the bone.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.