Device and method for normalizing implant strain readings to assess bone healing
View Patent ↗A device and method for treating a bone includes a bone plate including first and second portions joined to one another via a connecting portion, a rigidity of the connecting portion being less than rigidities of each of the first and second portions in combination with a first sensor mounted on the first portion measuring strain on the first portion and a second sensor mounted on the second portion measuring strain on the second portion.
1. A device for treating a bone, comprising:
a bone plate including a first portion and a second portion joined to one another via a connecting portion, a rigidity of the connecting portion being less than rigidities of each of the first and second portions;
a first sensor mounted on the first portion, the first sensor measuring strain on the first portion; and
a second sensor mounted on the second portion, the second sensor measuring strain on the second portion.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bone plate has a length extending along a longitudinal axis of the bone plate and a width transverse to the longitudinal axis, the connecting portion having a width smaller than widths of the first and second portions.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is formed as a frangible link designed to fail when a torsion of at least a predetermined threshold level is exerted on the frangible link.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor includes one of a MEM sensor, a strain gauge and a powered chip connected to a printed circuit board.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first sensor includes a passively powered chip.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second sensors wirelessly provide data to an external data gathering unit.
7. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a processing unit calculating a ratio of the first strain to the second strain to normalize effects of loads on the bone.