ENCAPSULATED FORCE SENSOR FOR MEASURING A PARAMETER 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 insert dock ( 202 ) is a passive component made for different prosthetic component manufacturers as well as for different size prosthetic components. The sensing module ( 200 ) fits in an opening or cavity of the insert dock ( 202 ). The intra-operative insert device is substantially equal in dimension to an implanted final insert. The sensing insert device ( 100 ) is also a permanent prosthetic component. The sensing module ( 200 ) residing within the sensing insert device and coupling to a bearing surface of the insert.
1 . A sensing system for measurement of a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system comprising:
a trial insert having dimensions substantially equal to the dimensions of a final insert;
a sensing module in the trial insert to measure the parameter.
2 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the sensing module is placed in a cavity of the trial insert.
3 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the sensing module is encapsulated to be hermetically sealed.
4 . The sensing system of claim 2 where the trial insert comprises a dock having a feature that operatively couples to a prosthetic component where the dock includes an opening to receive the sensing module.
5 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the trial insert interfaces with permanent prosthetic components.
6 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the trial insert includes a cover overlying a contacting surface of the sensing module.
7 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the trial insert measures a force, pressure, or load that is substantially equal to the force, pressure, or load applied by the muscular-skeletal system to the final insert when installed.
8 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the sensing platform comprises
one or more sensing assemblages;
electronic circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more sensing assemblages to measure the parameter;
a power source coupled to the electronic circuitry;
a transmitter coupled to the electronic circuitry;
an antenna coupled to the transmitter; and
an enclosure that encapsulates the electronic circuitry, the power source, antenna, transmitter, and the one or more sensing assemblages
where a transit time, frequency, or phase is measured by the sensing platform.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The sensing system of claim 1 where the sensing module is disposed of after surgery.
10 . A prosthetic component with sensing capability for in-situ measurement of the muscular-skeletal system comprising a final insert having a bearing surface where a sensing module resides within the final insert and where the sensing module includes a contacting surface that couples to the bearing surface to measure loading thereon.
11 . The prosthetic component 10 where a capacitor in the sensing module is inductively charged and where the capacitor powers the sensing module to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system.
12 . The prosthetic component of claim 11 where a transit time, frequency, or phase is measured by the sensing module corresponding to the parameter applied to the bearing surface of the final insert.
13 . The sensing system of claim 12 where the sensing platform comprises
one or more sensing assemblages;
electronic circuitry operatively coupled to the one or more sensing assemblages to measure the parameter;
a power source coupled to the electronic circuitry;
a transmitter coupled to the electronic circuitry;
an antenna coupled to the transmitter; and
an enclosure that encapsulates the electronic circuitry, the power source, and the one or more sensing assemblages.
14 . The sensing system of claim 13 where the sensing assemblage comprises:
a compressible waveguide; and
at least one transducer to emit an energy wave into the compressible waveguide and detect a propagated energy wave.
15 . The sensing system of claim 13 where the sensing assemblage comprises a MEMS structure, a strain gauge, or a piezo-resistive sensor.
16 . The sensing system of claim 11 where the sensing module measures position where the parameter is applied to the bearing surface of the final insert.
17 . A trial insert for knee reconstruction comprising:
a dock having an opening; and
at least one sensing module placed in the dock where the trial insert has dimensions substantially equal to a final insert.
18 . The trial insert of claim 17 further including a feature on the dock for aligning and retaining the dock to a tibial prosthetic component.
19 . The trial insert of claim 17 where the at least one sensing module couples to permanent femoral and tibial prosthetic components during a measurement.
20 . The trial insert of claim 17 where the sensing module has no components extending into the surgical field.