CRANIOFACIAL IMPLANT INCLUDING A PASSIVE PRESSURE SENSOR
A craniofacial implant includes a craniofacial implant body and a passive pressure sensor. The craniofacial implant body permits measurement of the passive pressure sensor via externally applied stimuli passing through the craniofacial implant body.
1 . A craniofacial implant, comprising:
a craniofacial implant body; and
a passive pressure sensor;
wherein the craniofacial implant body permits measurement of the passive pressure sensor via externally applied stimuli passing through the craniofacial implant body.
2 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent.
3 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 2 , wherein the externally applied stimuli is ultrasound.
4 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body includes an outer surface, an inner surface, and a peripheral edge shaped and dimensioned for engagement with a skull of a patient upon implantation, and the passive pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the inner surface such that the passive pressure sensor is exposed to intracranial fluid for sensing intracranial pressure.
5 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 4 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent and the externally applied stimuli is ultrasound.
6 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 4 , wherein the craniofacial implant body includes at least one cavity accommodating displacement of the passive pressure sensor.
7 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 4 , wherein the craniofacial implant body includes structure holding the passive pressure sensor in place.
8 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 4 , wherein a recess is formed along the inner surface of the craniofacial implant body and the passive pressure sensor is positioned within the recess.
9 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is comprised of clear PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate).
10 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent and the craniofacial implant body has low sound loss permitting measurement of the passive pressure sensor with ultrasonic imaging.
11 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent and an ultrasound transducer is calibrated or initialized with the passive pressure sensor and/or the craniofacial implant body.
12 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent and the craniofacial implant further includes an ultrasound transducer transmitting sound waves for interaction with the passive pressure sensor in a predetermined manner based upon physical characteristics of the passive pressure sensor.
13 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , further including a plurality of a passive pressure sensors.
14 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the passive pressure sensor is integrally constructed with the craniofacial implant body.
15 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , further including a mounting plate in which the craniofacial implant body is selectively positioned.
16 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 15 , wherein the mounting plate include a hollowed-out center aperture shaped and dimensioned for placement and mounting of the craniofacial implant body therein.
17 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 15 , wherein the mounting plate comprises PMMA (Poly(methyl methacrylate)), PEEK (Polyether ether ketone), PEKK (Polyetherketoneketone), porous polyethylene, and/or other tissue-engineered constructs.
18 . The craniofacial implant according to claim 1 , wherein the craniofacial implant body is sonolucent and the craniofacial implant body includes an alignment feature aiding alignment with an external ultrasound transducer.