Break-off set screw
AssigneeWarsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
InventorsNicholas Benson, William A. Rezach, Arjun Siby Kurian, Newton H. Metcalf, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.
Claims20
A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant, the load sensing assembly comprising:
- a break-off set screw comprising a break-off head coupled to an adjustment head via a break-off region, and a bore extending from an outer surface of the break-off head to a threaded portion of the break-off set screw;
- an antenna;
- an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna;
- and
- a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit,
- wherein the integrated circuit and strain gauge are positioned within the bore of the break-off set screw,
- wherein the threaded portion of the break-off set screw is configured to fasten to an anchoring member that is configured to support a spinal rod,
- wherein the break-off set screw extends from a first end to a second end,
- wherein an outer surface of the break-off head is offset from an outer surface of the adjustment head, and
- wherein the strain gauge is configured to measure a force between the second end of the break-off set screw and the spinal rod when the second end of the break-off set screw engages with the spinal rod.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.