SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTEGRATED ANTENNA IN A SENSING MODULE FOR MEASUREMENT OF THE MUSCULAR-SKELETAL SYSTEM
A sensing insert device ( 100 ) is disclosed for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing insert device ( 100 ) can be temporary or permanent. Used intra-operatively, the sensing insert device ( 100 ) comprises an insert dock ( 202 ) and a sensing module ( 200 ). The sensing module ( 200 ) is a self-contained encapsulated measurement device having at least one contacting surface that couples to the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing module ( 200 ) comprises one or more sensing assemblages ( 1802 ), electronic circuitry ( 307 ), an antenna ( 2302 ), and communication circuitry ( 320 ). The at least one circuit board ( 1612 and 1616 ) includes the antenna ( 2302 ). The antenna ( 2302 ) is formed as one or more loops around a periphery of the circuit board. The antenna ( 2302 ) allows short-range transmission of the measured parameter data to a receiver placed in proximity to the muscular-skeletal system. Alternatively, the antenna can be formed in the insert dock ( 202 ).
1 . A sensing module for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system comprising:
a housing;
a printed circuit board in the housing where the printed circuit board is suspended a predetermined distance within the housing above a bottom surface where the printed circuit board includes an antenna for the transmission of measured parameter data from the sensing module.
2 . The sensing module of claim 1 where a prosthetic component comprises the sensing module, where parameter measurements are taken in-situ, and where the prosthetic component is dimensionally substantially equal to a final prosthetic component.
3 . The sensing module of claim 2 where a loop antenna is formed on the printed circuit board.
4 . The sensing module of claim 3 where the loop antenna is formed on a periphery of the printed circuit board.
5 . The sensing module of claim 4 where the loop antenna comprises more than one layer of interconnect on or in the printed circuit board.
6 . The sensing module of claim 4 further including:
a transmit circuit coupled to receive parameter measurement data for transmission; and
a matching network coupled between the transmit circuit and the antenna.
7 . The sensing module of claim 2 further includes terminals on an exterior of the sensing module where the terminals couple to the matching network.
8 . The sensing module of claim 5 where the prosthetic component further includes a dock having an antenna where the sensing module inserted into the dock couples the terminals exterior to the sensing module to the antenna of the dock.
9 . The sensing module of claim 2 where the prosthetic component is an insert for coupling between two bones of the muscular-skeletal system.
10 . The sensing module of claim 1 further includes a sensing platform overlying the printed circuit board in the housing where the sensing platform comprises at least one sensing assemblage.
11 . The sensing module of claim 10 further including at least one sensing assemblage comprising:
at least one transducer; and
an energy propagating structure to measure changes in transit time, frequency, or phase corresponding to the parameter being measured.
12 . The sensing module of claim 10 further including at least three sensing assemblages for measuring a location where the parameter is applied to the sensing module.
13 . A sensing system for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system comprising a prosthetic component having a sensing module therein to measure the parameter where the sensing module includes a loop antenna to transmit parameter data.
14 . The sensing system of claim 13 where the prosthetic component is a final insert allowing articulation of at least two bones of the muscular-skeletal system.
15 . The sensing system of claim 14 where the sensing module includes a sensing platform having at least three sensing assemblages to measure a force, pressure, or load and where the sensing platform measures a location where the force, pressure, or load is applied to a surface of the insert.
16 . The sensing system of claim 14 where the antenna is formed on a printed circuit board or flexible interconnect.
17 . A prosthetic component for measuring a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system comprising:
a dock to operatively couple to at least one prosthetic component;
a sensing module inserted in the dock where the sensing module couples to the muscular-skeletal system to measure the parameter; and
an antenna for transmitting measurement data from the sensing module.
18 . The prosthetic component of claim 17 where the sensing module includes external terminals coupled to transmitting circuitry therein and where the dock includes an antenna that couples to the external terminals when the sensing module is inserted.
19 . The prosthetic component of claim 17 where the sensing module includes at least one printed circuit board or flexible interconnect having a loop antenna formed thereon.
20 . The prosthetic component of claim 17 where the sensing module includes a sensing platform comprising at least three sensing assemblages.