Implantable sensors are described that can be utilized in conjunction with orthopedic implants for monitoring fracture healing and detecting local chemical concentrations to detect and monitor implant associated infection. The sensors can include strain gauges, electrochemical, or spectrochemical sensors that can be read transdermally using a single photodetector. Sensors can be affixed to implantable support devices so as to non-invasively monitor the effect of load on the implant to provide a quantitative assessment of when a fracture is sufficiently healed to allow safe weight-bearing upon the limb. Alternatively, sensors can monitor the local concentration of infection biomarkers, for instance to monitor the implant area for early stage infection.

In accordance with disclosed embodiments, there are provided systems, methods, and apparatuses for integrating a body joint rehabilitation regimen with a wearable movement capture device operable in conjunction with a cloud based computing environment. For instance, a wearable apparatus for monitoring activity of a body joint such as knee or elbow for monitoring rehabilitation and recovery after surgical procedures and after injury to the joint is disclosed. Such a wearable apparatus includes a wearable harness in which a first portion of the wearable harness includes an proximal strap to be positioned proximal to the body joint and in which a second portion of the wearable harness includes a distal strap to be positioned distal to the body joint, in which the wearable harness is positionable upon a patient's body at the body joint without occluding a surgical site of the patient. Such a wearable harness further includes a connecting section having a first end connected with the proximal strap and a second end connected with the distal strap and a first buckle housing (smart buckle) secured to the proximal strap of the wearable harness and a second buckle housing secured to the distal strap of the wearable harness, in which the proximal and distal straps maintain the first and the second buckles in a consistent position relative to the axis of an underlying bone such as a thigh bone, calf bone, femur, or tibia of a patient. The wearable harness further includes integrated circuitry including at least a magnetometer and accelerometer within the first buckle and an accelerometer within the second buckle. A microprocessor of the smart buckle periodically reads a switch position on the buckles, reads the magnetometer and accelerometer data and processes the data to determine (i) an angle for the sample period, and periodically classify an activity (e.g., as walking, standing, sitting, elevating, and icing, etc.). Such data is relayed to a cloud computing environment for further analysis and for access by clinicians and patients. Other related embodiments are disclosed.

Disclosed are methods to locate the posterior cancellous os of a pedicle on a vertebra and/or optimize implant trajectory in a subject, especially for spinal fusion surgery. The methods generally include: (a) directing a beam of laser light at or positioning a fiber that diffuses laser light over a pars interarticularis of the vertebra of the subject; and (b) acquiring photoacoustic signal for imaging the vertebra. The methods can further include selecting and/or adjusting parameters of the laser light such that the laser light penetrates a single layer of cortical bone covering the pars interarticularis into cancellous bone thereunder, reaching a quantifiable depth within the cancellous bone. Preferably, the quantifiable depth reaches at least about the full length of the pedicle.

An orthopedic system configured for use in a pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative assessment. The orthopedic system comprises a first screw, a second screw, a first device, a second device, and a computer. The first device and the second device are respectively coupled to a first bone and a second bone of a musculoskeletal system. The first and second devices each include electronic circuitry, one or more sensors, and an IMU. A bracket, wrap, or sleeve can be used to hold the first and second devices to the musculoskeletal system. The first and second devices are configured to send measurement data to a computer. The first and second devices each have an antenna system. Electronic circuitry in the first or second devices are configured to harvest energy from a received radio frequency signal to recharge a battery to maintain operation.

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, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations, a system calculates a potential for ACL injury of a subject using skeletal tracking and calculating joint angles at different time points from the motion, angle of the knee joint, jumping/landing mechanics and/or balance of the subject.

An apparatus for use in assessing strength of at least one knee flexor muscle of a subject, the apparatus including a support, two securing members, each securing member securing a respective lower leg of the subject in a position that in use is substantially fixed relative to the support and at least one sensor, which in use senses a force indicative of the strength of the at least one knee flexor muscle in at least one leg of the subject while the subject performs an eccentric contraction of the at least one knee flexor muscle.

A method of generating a correction plan for a knee of a patient includes obtaining a ratio of reference bone density to reference ligament tension in a reference population. A bone of the knee of the patient may be imaged. From the image of the bone, a first dataset may be determined including at least one site of ligament attachment and existing dwell points of a medial femoral condyle and lateral femoral condyle of the patient on a tibia of the patient. Desired positions of contact in three dimensions of the femoral condyles of the patient with the tibia of the patient may be obtained by determining a relationship in which a ratio of bone density to ligament tension of the patient is substantially equal to the ratio of reference bone density to reference ligament tension.

A wireless system comprising a first wireless device and a second wireless device. The first wireless device is configured to operate with less than 15 milliamperes of current. The second wireless device has an internal power source and is configured to transmit one or more radio frequency signals to the first wireless device. The first wireless device is configured to receive the one or more radio frequency signals from the second wireless device. The first wireless device is configured to harvest energy from the one or more radio frequency signals. The first wireless device is enabled for operation after a predetermined amount of energy is harvested from the one or more radio frequency signals. A communication handshake occurs between the first and second wireless devices to indicate that the first wireless device is in communication with the second wireless device. The first wireless device is configured to perform at least one task from harvested energy.

An orthopedic system configured for pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative assessment of a musculoskeletal system. The orthopedic system comprises a first screw, a second screw, a first device, a second device, and a computer. The first screw and the second screw are respectively coupled in a first bone and a second bone of a musculoskeletal system. The first and second screws each include electronic circuitry, one or more sensors, and an IMU. In one embodiment, a first device and a second device can be respectively located in proximity to the first and second screws. The first and second devices respectively transmit a radio frequency signal to the first and second screws. The first and second screws harvest a predetermined amount of energy and then are enabled to perform at least one task and an orderly shutdown. The computer receives measurement data from the first and second screws.