A method includes positioning an expandable balloon, coupled to a distal end of a catheter, at a target location within an organ of a patient, the expandable balloon including multiple electrodes and one or more sensors in proximity to each electrode, wherein the one or more sensors are configured each to measure a characteristic of blood. The expandable balloon is expanded at the target location. A fluid is flowed through an inner lumen of the catheter and into the blood in a vicinity of each electrode. A dependence of the characteristic of blood on time is measured, via the one or more sensors, in proximity to each electrode. Using a processor, it is determined whether or not each electrode is in physical contact with tissue, based on the measured dependence of the characteristic of blood. An indication of whether or not each electrode is in physical contact with tissue is outputted to a user.

A load sensing assembly for a medical implant is disclosed. The medical implant may include an upper surface, a side surface, a bottom surface, and a cavity housing various sensors and microelectronics. In other embodiments, the medical implant may include a port that is accessible through at least one of the bottom surface, side surface, and the upper surface. The port may be configured to receive an electronics assembly, package, or hermetically sealed enclosure. The electronics package may have a size and shape generally corresponding to the port. In various embodiments, electronic components and sensors may be powered by a local power source. In various embodiments, sensors may be chosen from: accelerometers, gyroscope, strain gauge, pressure sensor, pH sensor, impedance sensor, optical sensor, and/or a temperature sensor. In various embodiments, the medical implant may be chosen from: an interbody spinal implant, a pedicle screw, a connector, and/or a cross-link.

A digital pedicle screw assembly may be installed inside of the body of a patient and be configured to sense various attributes of the assembly and the patient. Embodiments may include a receiver having a U-shaped cavity for supporting a longitudinal rod and set screw therein. The receiver may include a lower cavity configured to couple to a pedicle screw and a side portion integrally connected to the receiver and including a housing defining a sealed cavity for supporting a microelectronics assembly and a battery therein. Embodiments may include at least one antenna attached to an outside of the housing and being in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly, and at least one strain gauge configured to detect a localized force experienced by the receiver and being in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly.

The invention provides systems, devices, and methods for the delivery, deployment, and positioning of magnetic compression devices at a desired site so as to improve the accuracy of anastomoses creation between tissues, organs, or the like.

An intraosseous access system includes a driver, a needle, and an obturator positioned in the needle to prevent entry of bodily tissues into the lumen. The driver includes control logic configured to modify operation of the driver upon an indication that a change in modality is detected. The obturator includes a sensor such as an electrical impedance sensor. The electrical impedance sensor can include a passive RFID chip configured to activate when the change in modality is detected.