The present disclosure relates to a strain sensor. The strain sensor includes a sensor sheet provided with a sensing portion including a detection portion that expands and contracts in a predetermined direction according to a strain of an object to be measured and that detects a strain in the expansion and contraction direction, and a fixing member having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite to the first main surface. The sensor sheet is fixed so as to at least partially overlap the first main surface of the fixing member. A tensile load of the fixing member is greater than a tensile load of the sensing portion of the sensor sheet.

Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for assessing physiological properties of a biological tissue is provided. The method comprising the steps of transmitting from a first coaxial probe, receiving at a second coaxial probe and assessing physiological properties. The transmission from the first probe is a microwave signal. The second coaxial probe receives a microwave signal. The first coaxial probe and the second coaxial probe are arranged in connection with the biological tissue. The physiological properties of the biological tissue between the coaxial probes are assessed based on the microwave signal transmitted and received across the biological tissue. The invention further relates to a system and a coaxial probe useful in performing such a method.

A method of measuring a tissue parameter such as proteoglycan content and other relevant tissue parameters, e.g. tissue pH, in a tissue or an organ of a subject includes generating first and second frequency magnetic resonance data using T.sub.1ρ scans at different frequencies, wherein the frequencies are symmetric. The method also includes combining the first frequency magnetic resonance data and the second frequency magnetic resonance data to remove a number of contributions from a number of relaxation mechanisms other than chemical exchange, thereby obtaining chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data indicative of the tissue parameter in the tissue or the organ. The chemical exchange-specific magnetic resonance data may be used to measure the proteoglycan content in the tissue or organ.

The present invention provides a jig for measuring the shape of the thyroid cartilage capable of readily measuring the shape of the front surface of the thyroid cartilage. The jig for measuring the shape of the thyroid cartilage of the present invention includes: a display section having a plurality of relatively slidable movable members and configured to display a shape of thyroid cartilage by contacting distal end surfaces of the movable members with a front surface of the thyroid cartilage; and a maintenance section configured to align and maintain the movable members in one direction and capable of fixing the slid movable members. Two of such display sections may be provided in the one direction with a space.

A cartilage conduction system may include (1) a transducer that generates mechanical energy and (2) a functionally graded material (FGM) interface dimensioned to be coupled between the transducer and cartilage located on an outer ear of a user, wherein the FGM interface (1) exhibits a gradation of at least one characteristic from one side of the FGM interface to another side of the FGM interface and (2) facilitates transferring the mechanical energy across the gradation of the characteristic from the transducer to the cartilage. Various other systems and methods are also disclosed.

A method of preparing an interpositional implant suitable for a knee. The method includes determining a three-dimensional shape of a tibial surface of the knee. An implant is produced having a superior surface and an inferior surface, with the superior surface adapted to be positioned against a femoral condyle of the knee, and the inferior surface adapted to be positioned upon the tibial surface of the knee. The inferior surface conforms to the three-dimensional shape of the tibial surface. The implant may be inserted into the knee without making surgical cuts on the tibial surface. The tibial surface may include cartilage, or cartilage and bone.

A device for assessing the solidity of a material comprising an ancillary tool (2) having an end (2B) in the form of a point or blade, an impactor (4) for striking the ancillary tool (2), a sensor (12) and a processing unit (30). The ancillary tool (2) is placed between a material (8) and the impactor (4) and transmits the impact force generated by the impactor (4) to the material (8). The sensor (12) is capable of measuring a quantity from among the impact force and the deformation of the impactor, and of supplying a measurement signal. The processing unit (30) is suitable for calculating, from the measurement signal, an indicator representative of the solidity of the material (8). The indicator corresponds to the duration of a time window between the first peak (P1) of maximum amplitude of the measurement signal and the second peak of maximum amplitude (P2).

A new non-invasive tool for cartilage assessment, exercise and sports management, and prevention of osteoarthritis is provided. In various embodiments, cartilage condition is assessed using audible signals from joints. Assessment test results are used to provide feedback regarding joint stress and friction that is related to physiological or pathological loads. Data obtained from audible signals are processed to provide an index that can be interpreted by a user or third parties. The index is useful as a baseline for exercise practices, training routines, wellness programs, or rehabilitation protocols.

An MR Spectroscopy (MRS) system and approach is provided for diagnosing painful and non-painful discs in chronic, severe low back pain patients (DDD-MRS). A DDD-MRS pulse sequence generates and acquires DDD-MRS spectra within intervertebral disc nuclei for later signal processing and diagnostic analysis. An interfacing DDD-MRS signal processor receives output signals of the DDD-MRS spectra acquired and is configured to optimize signal-to-noise ratio by an automated system that selectively conducts optimal channel selection, phase and frequency correction, and frame editing as appropriate for a given acquisition series. A diagnostic processor calculates a diagnostic value for the disc based upon a weighted factor set of criteria that uses MRS data extracted from the acquired and processed MRS spectra for multiple chemicals that have been correlated to painful vs. non-painful discs. A display provides an indication of results for analyzed discs as an overlay onto a MRI image of the lumbar spine.