A method for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on at least one vertebra of a spine, providing at least one biometric sensor at the at least one vertebra, the sensor measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow in an adjacent surrounding, and measuring the at least one biometric parameter at the vertebra with the sensor.

A method for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on at least one vertebra of a spine, providing at least one biometric sensor at the at least one vertebra, the sensor measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow in an adjacent surrounding, and measuring the at least one biometric parameter at the vertebra with the sensor.

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 for detecting biometric parameters includes the steps of performing a bone graft procedure on at least one vertebra of a spine, providing at least one biometric sensor at the at least one vertebra, the sensor measuring at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of pressure, tension, shear, relative position, and vascular flow in an adjacent surrounding, and measuring the at least one biometric parameter at the vertebra with the sensor.

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.

A system, devices, and methods are described for imaging and measuring the mechanical properties of both surface and subcutaneous tissues found in living organisms, animals, and in natural and synthetic materials, and may include a first device configured to determine a modulus of a portion of bulk material or subcutaneous tissue (via measurement of vibrations), and/or determine resonant frequency of the vibrations, and a second device operably connected to the first device and configured to generate vibrations. The first device may be an optical coherence tomography device. The system may include a processor and data storage device with instructions which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to process of the frequency data and the displacement data to determine a resonant frequency of the material under investigation and calculate the mechanical modulus of elasticity of the material from a resonance frequency spectrum of the analyzed spectral image.

Systems, apparatus, and method of monitoring a position of a joint. An inertial monitoring unit is configured to be coupled to a portion of a patient, such as a thigh. Another inertial monitoring unit is configured to be attached to another portion of the patient, such as a shank, that is connected to the other portion by a joint, such as a knee. The inertial monitoring units detect motion of their respective portions of the patient and transmit data indicative of this motion. These transmissions may be received by a computer and used to determine an orientation of the joint. The inertial monitoring units may also be coupled to vibration detection units and/or ultrasound modules that provide additional data regarding a condition of the joint.

Sensors may be attached to a patient's skin near a joint. An image of the joint and sensors may be captured and a bone centerline may be determined based on the image. A first set of measurements, which may include varus and valgus information, may be captured at the sensors, and may be captured while the patient is in a first position. The first set of measurements may then be transmitted to a handheld device. A second set of measurements corresponding to a second positon of the patient may be captured at the sensors. The second set of measurements may also include varus and valgus information and may also be transmitted to the handheld device. A difference between the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements, including the difference between the varus and valgus measurements, may be determined.

Methods and apparatus for performing joint laxity measurement are disclosed. A retractor includes a plurality of spacers, such as plates, that are capable of being moved from a central portion of the retractor by a carriage mechanism. In some cases, the carriage mechanism may press against ramps connected to internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. In other cases, the carriage mechanism may include blades that rotate and press against the internal sides of the plates, thereby causing the plates to be displaced outwardly. The retractor is mounted on a surgical device configured to actuate the carriage mechanism. When the retractor is placed in a joint and the carriage mechanism is actuated, a measurement of the joint laxity may be determined based upon characteristics of the retractor and/or the surgical device.

Systems, apparatus, and method of monitoring a position of a joint. An inertial monitoring unit is configured to be coupled to a portion of a patient, such as a thigh. Another inertial monitoring unit is configured to be attached to another portion of the patient, such as a shank, that is connected to the other portion by a joint, such as a knee. The inertial monitoring units detect motion of their respective portions of the patient and transmit data indicative of this motion. These transmissions may be received by a computer and used to determine an orientation of the joint. The inertial monitoring units may also be coupled to vibration detection units and/or ultrasound modules that provide additional data regarding a condition of the joint.