Sensor and method for spinal monitoring
A sensor for detecting changes in spinal tissue is disclosed. The implantable sensor or surgical instrument includes a sensing element adapted for detecting indicators of tissue health. The sensor is configured for transmitting the tissue data outside of the body. Further a system and method are provided to utilize the sensed tissue properties to treat the patient's condition.
1. A method for evaluating a condition of at least a portion of a spinal segment in a patient's body, comprising:
providing a sensor having a sensing element and a communication circuit;
implanting at least the sensing element into the patient's body;
directing an energy signal toward the patient's spine;
sensing a reflected energy signal at the sensing element to measure at least one nutrient opening in a portion of a spinal segment; and
communicating the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user;
wherein sensing the reflected energy signal provides a measurement of a plurality of nutrient openings in a vertebral endplate.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a disc space of the spinal segment located between upper and lower vertebral bodies.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into the nucleus of the spinal segment.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurement includes the size of the nutrient opening.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the measurement includes the flow of material through the nutrient opening.
6. The method of claim 1 , further including determining the distribution of the nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.
7. The method of claim 1 , further including determining the porosity of the nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said directing includes emitting an energy signal from said sensor.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the communication circuit is utilized to communicate the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user.
10. A method for evaluating a condition of at least a portion of a spinal segment in a patient's body, comprising:
providing a sensor having a sensing element and a communication circuit;
implanting at least the sensing element into the patient's body directing an energy signal toward the patient's spine;
sensing a reflected energy signal at the sensing element to measure at least one nutrient opening in a portion of a spinal segment; and
communicating the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user,
wherein said sensing a reflected energy signal includes measuring at least one nutrient opening in a vertebral endplate.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the communication circuit is utilized to communicate the measured at least one nutrient opening to a user.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a disc space of the spinal segment located between upper and lower vertebral bodies.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein said implanting includes positioning at least the sensing element into a nucleus of the spinal segment.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the measured at least one nutrient opening communicated to the user includes the size of the nutrient opening.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the measured at least one nutrient opening communicated to the user includes the flow of material through the nutrient opening.
16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the sensing the reflected energy signal provides a measurement of a plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising determining the distribution of the plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising determining the porosity of the plurality of nutrient openings in the vertebral endplate.
19. The method of claim 10 , wherein the directing an energy signal includes emitting an energy signal from the sensing element.