Self-powered prosthesis
AssigneeHowmedica Osteonics Corp.
InventorsCarlos O. Alva, Matthias Verstraete
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein are implants with sensors and methods for powering implants with sensors. A joint implant according to the present disclosure can include a first implant and a second implant in contact with the first implant. The first implant can be coupled to a first bone of a joint. The first implant can include an energy generator coupled to a transducer. The second implant can include at least one sensor, a battery coupled to the at least one sensor, and a receiver coupled to the battery. The receiver can be disposed within the second implant adjacent the transducer. Energy from the energy generator can be transmitted from the transducer of the first implant to the receiver of the second implant.
Claims20
A joint implant comprising:
- a first implant configured to be coupled to a first bone of a joint, the first implant including an energy generator coupled to a transducer, the transducer being disposed within the first implant, and
- a second implant disposed adjacent the first implant, the second implant including:
- at least one sensor;
- a battery coupled to the least one sensor, and
- a receiver coupled to the battery, the receiver being disposed within the second implant adjacent the transducer,
- wherein energy from the energy generator is transmitted from the transducer of the first implant to the receiver of the second implant.
An implant system comprising:
- a first implant configured to be coupled to a first bone of a joint, the first implant including an energy generator coupled to a transducer, the transducer being disposed within the first implant, and
- a second implant disposed adjacent the first implant, the second implant including:
- at least one sensor, and
- a receiver coupled to the at least one sensor, the receiver being disposed within the second implant adjacent the transducer,
- wherein energy from the energy generator is acoustically transmitted from the transducer of the first implant to the receiver of the second implant.
A method for powering a joint implant, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first implant configured to be placed on a first bone;
- coupling an energy generator of the first implant to a transducer, the transducer being disposed within the first implant;
- providing a second implant configured to be placed in contact with the first implant;
- coupling at least one sensor disposed within the second implant to a battery, the battery being disposed within the second implant;
- coupling a receiver to the battery, the receiver being disposed within the second implant adjacent the transducer, and
- transmitting energy from the energy generator to the transducer of the first implant to the receiver of the second implant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.