Intervertebral Fusion Cage Vibration Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current spinal fusion procedures face challenges with failed solid bone fusion, known as pseudarthrosis, which can lead to ongoing pain and complications, and existing monitoring methods are limited by cost and radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
An invasive intervertebral fusion cage equipped with a vibration sensor that measures parameters such as vibration signatures, physical integrity, and risk of failure, providing real-time indicators of bone fusion progress and potential complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If CT scanning is used to diagnose pseudarthrosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but radiation exposure and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces CT scanning (electromagnetic radiation-based imaging) with a mechanical vibration sensing system. Accelerometers mounted on the implant detect vibration patterns generated by bone healing processes, providing diagnostic information without ionizing radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing system that indirectly monitors bone fusion through vibration patterns rather than directly imaging the bone structure. The accelerometers detect mechanical vibrations transmitted through the implant and surrounding tissues, serving as a mediator between the healing process and diagnostic information.
2Measurement precision
If CT scanning is used to diagnose pseudarthrosis, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive accelerometer sensors that can be mounted on the implant for monitoring purposes. These sensors provide continuous or periodic vibration data at a fraction of the cost of repeated CT scans, making long-term monitoring economically viable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive CT scanning infrastructure and procedures with a mechanical vibration sensing approach using affordable accelerometers and simple data processing, significantly reducing diagnostic costs while maintaining monitoring capability.
3Reliability
If porous titanium cages are used for spinal fusion, then bone regeneration is improved, but radiographic observability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vibration patterns as an intermediary indicator to assess the state of porous titanium cages that are difficult to observe radiographically. The accelerometers detect vibrations transmitted through the cage and surrounding bone, providing indirect information about cage position, integrity, and bone ingrowth without requiring clear radiographic visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces radiographic imaging (electromagnetic interaction) with mechanical vibration sensing to monitor cages made of materials like porous titanium that have poor radiographic contrast. The vibration-based approach detects mechanical properties and positional information independent of the cage material's radiopacity.
4Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then early detection of pseudarthrosis is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function into simple, discrete vibration measurements taken at specific time intervals rather than continuous complex monitoring. The accelerometers capture vibration data periodically, and simple signal processing algorithms analyze these segmented data points to detect pseudarthrosis indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where vibration patterns are continuously analyzed and compared against established norms to provide real-time or near-real-time information about fusion progress. This feedback loop enables early detection of abnormal healing patterns without requiring complex continuous monitoring infrastructure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The intervertebral fusion cage effectively monitors bone fusion by analyzing vibration patterns, enabling early detection of pseudarthrosis and improving clinical outcomes by providing actionable data for medical professionals.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration sensor (11) configured to measure a vibration response of a medium, said medium being created by the frame, the surrounding tissues (20) and/or the fusionned bone
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an invasive intervertebral fusion cage (10), said intervertebral fusion cage (10) comprising: a vibration sensor (11); and a frame (13) configured to support surrounding tissues used to create a bone fusion process; wherein the vibration sensor (11) is is integral with the frame (13) in order to measure the mechanical vibrations said vibrations arising from the medium consisting of the frame (13), the surrounding tissues and/or the fusionned bone, and wherein the intervertebral fusion cage does not comprise a vibration excitation transducer. The present invention further comprises a remote medical monitoring device comprising a receiver for receiving data from an intervertebral fusion cage, reflecting the mechanical vibrations of a medium and a calculator computing from the received data a medium indicator by: (i) determining at least one vibration pattern of said received data; (ii) comparing said at least one vibration pattern with at least one reference model; (iii) generating a medium indicator in function of the comparing step.