A smart screw according to an embodiment may comprise: a screw main body which penetrates an artificial joint including a shell disposed on a hip joint of an object and a liner disposed on the inner surface of the shell and is then inserted into the hip joint; a transducer including a coupling layer that senses a sound wave signal reflected from the liner, a piezo-electric layer formed to determine a frequency of the sound wave signal, and a sound absorbing layer for absorbing the sound wave signal; and a processing module for generating a sound wave signal toward the liner and receiving the sound wave signal sensed by the coupling layer, measuring the thickness of the liner on the basis of the received sound wave signal, and transferring data about the measured thickness of the liner to the outside.

Methods and devices for correcting wear pattern defects in joints. The methods and devices described herein allow for the restoration of correcting abnormal biomechanical loading conditions in a joint brought on by wear pattern defects, and also can, in embodiments, permit correction of proper kinematic movement.

The present invention relates to a spacer device including a sensor as well as electronic means for obtaining and transmitting the data detected by the sensor.

A system and method for quantitatively assessing a press fit value (and provide a mechanism to evaluate optimal quantitative values) of any implant/bone interface regardless the variables involved including bone site preparation, material properties of bone and implant, implant geometry and coefficient of friction of the implant-bone interface without requiring a visual positional assessment of a depth of insertion. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements.

Disclosed is an invasive intervertebral fusion cage, the intervertebral fusion cage including: a vibration sensor; and a frame configured to support surrounding tissues used to create a bone fusion process; wherein the vibration sensor is integral with the frame in order to measure the mechanical vibrations the vibrations arising from the medium consisting of the frame, the surrounding tissues and/or the fusionned bone, and wherein the intervertebral fusion cage does not include a vibration excitation transducer. Also disclosed is a remote medical monitoring device including a receiver for receiving data from an intervertebral fusion cage, reflecting the mechanical vibrations of a medium and a calculator computing from the received data a medium indicator by: determining at least one vibration pattern of the received data; comparing the at least one vibration pattern with at least one reference model; generating a medium indicator in function of the comparing step.

The present disclosure relates to a spinal fusion impactor tool that includes an attachment means for securing an implant device to the distal end of the tool, a means for adjusting the angle of the distal head relative to the handle to better position the implant for introduction into the implant site, means for remotely releasing the implant device at the distal end and a clamp device on the shaft of the tool to secure tabs, attachments and other devices. The impactor tool is preferably used in conjunction with implantation of an intervertebral fusion cage that is equipped with shims having tabs or other removing means, but may also be used to introduce, for example, an implant, graft, fusion device, wedge or distractor device into any joint space or bony region in preparation for implantation.

A system and method for collecting operation data associated with a medical apparatus including an internal device implanted in a subject and an external device that is magnetically-coupled to and drives the internal device. The medical apparatus may be monitored to obtain raw data associated with the operation of the medical apparatus and one or more calculations may be performed on the raw data, wherein the raw data and/or calculated values may be associated with voiding frequency and voiding volume of the subject. A report may be generated from the raw data and/or calculated values. In addition, one or more signals may be sent to the external device and/or a docking station, or communicated by other means, to indicate to the subject that the operation of the medical apparatus should be altered.

Methods and devices for correcting wear pattern defects in joints. The methods and devices described herein allow for the restoration of correcting abnormal biomechanical loading conditions in a joint brought on by wear pattern defects, and also can, in embodiments, permit correction of proper kinematic movement.

A smart screw according to an embodiment may comprise: a screw main body which penetrates an artificial joint including a shell disposed on a hip joint of an object and a liner disposed on the inner surface of the shell and is then inserted into the hip joint; a transducer including a coupling layer that senses a sound wave signal reflected from the liner, a piezo-electric layer formed to determine a frequency of the sound wave signal, and a sound absorbing layer for absorbing the sound wave signal; and a processing module for generating a sound wave signal toward the liner and receiving the sound wave signal sensed by the coupling layer, measuring the thickness of the liner on the basis of the received sound wave signal, and transferring data about the measured thickness of the liner to the outside.

The present invention discloses methods and apparatus for fostering wireless communication to and from orthopedic implants. Cuff and bandage devices provide a means of supporting a device which coordinates and optimizes communication with orthopedic implants. The devices support methods which can provide feedback to a user to optimize the signal strength and signal to noise aspects of wireless connections to and from orthopedic implants.