Implantable Knee Sensor Wireless Infection Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current orthopedic surgeries face challenges in detecting infections around prosthetic implants in a timely manner, leading to potential complications and additional surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
An implantable sensor module is designed to be wirelessly powered and communicate with external devices, providing real-time data on environmental conditions within the joint, such as temperature, glucose, and pH, to detect early signs of infection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an implantable sensor is installed to detect infections, then early detection capability is improved, but device complexity and surgical procedure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module is nested within the femoral intramedullary canal, utilizing the existing surgical cavity. The sensor is inserted into a receptacle within the femoral prosthesis, creating a nested configuration that minimizes additional complexity while enabling infection detection through wireless communication with external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication interface acts as an intermediary between the implantable sensor and external computing devices. This intermediary enables data transmission without requiring complex wired connections or additional surgical infrastructure, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable infection detection capability.
2Ease of operation
If wireless power and communication are implemented, then ease of implantation is improved, but energy requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wiring and direct electrical connections with wireless power and data transmission systems. This substitution eliminates the need for complex internal wiring within the sensor module, simplifying implantation while managing energy requirements through efficient wireless communication protocols.
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 implantable sensor enables early detection of infections, reducing the need for revision surgeries, saving costs and improving patient quality of life by providing timely alerts and data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna can then broadcast a signal containing data produced as a function of the sensed conditions
Data Source
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AI summary
An implantable sensor (100) configured to be inserted in an intramedullary canal can include a primary insert (102), a secondary insert (104), and an antenna (118). The primary insert can include a distal end (116), a proximal end (114) opposite the distal end, and a central bore (144) that can extend from an opening (166) in the distal end towards the proximal end. The secondary insert can be receivable within the central bore through the opening. The secondary insert can include a body and a sensor module (106). The body can be removably engageable with an inside surface of the central bore. The sensor module can be disposable within the body and can be configured to produce a sensor signal as a function of a first sensed parameter indicative of infection. The antenna can be disposed in the central bore. The antenna can be configured to transmit a wireless signal as a function of the sensor signal.