초록 ▼

A system and method are provided for monitoring the condition of the skeletal system and adjusting a treatment device to provide appropriate treatment in response to the sensed signal. More particularly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes at a spinal le

A system and method are provided for monitoring the condition of the skeletal system and adjusting a treatment device to provide appropriate treatment in response to the sensed signal. More particularly, in one aspect the present invention is directed to a sensor for detecting changes at a spinal level and a dynamic treatment system adjustable in response to the detected changes.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for treating a spinal segment within a patient, the system comprising:a pressure sensor having a sensing portion implantable within a disc space of the spinal segment, said sensing portion generating a sensor signal in response to a sensed characteristic of the spinal

What is claimed is: 1. A system for treating a spinal segment within a patient, the system comprising:a pressure sensor having a sensing portion implantable within a disc space of the spinal segment, said sensing portion generating a sensor signal in response to a sensed characteristic of the spinal segment, wherein the sensed characteristic of the spinal segment is a compressive force across the disc space of the spinal segment, wherein the sensor signal includes control data, wherein the sensing portion generates a first sensor signal if the sensed characteristic is above a first threshold and generates a second sensor signal if the sensed characteristic is below a second threshold, wherein the first and second thresholds are adjustable by communication with an external device; anda dynamic spinal treatment system including a first bone anchor for engaging a first vertebra of the spinal segment, a first rod segment fixedly attachable to the first bone anchor in order to secure the first rod segment to the first vertebra in a first position spaced from the disc space, a second bone anchor for engaging a second vertebra of the spinal segment, a second rod segment fixedly attachable to the second bone anchor in order to secure the second rod segment to the second vertebra in a second position spaced from the disc space, the second rod segment being separate and distinct from the first rod segment such that the second rod segment is movable relative to the first rod segment, and a dynamic actuator interconnecting the first and second rod segments such that the first bone anchor, the first rod segment, the second bone anchor, the second rod segment, and the dynamic actuator provide mechanical stabilization to the spinal segment by connecting the first vertebra to the second vertebra, the dynamic actuator having a controller for receiving and processing the sensor signal, the dynamic actuator operable such that the dynamic spinal treatment system has at least a first treatment mode and a second treatment mode, wherein the first treatment mode allows a first degree of motion between the first rod segment and the second rod segment and the second treatment mode allows a second degree of motion between the first rod segment and the second rod segment, said controller in communication with said sensor and responsive to said sensor signal to adjust said dynamic actuator to move the treatment system from said first treatment mode to said second treatment mode in order to maintain the compressive force across the disc space of the spinal segment within a therapeutic range for promoting bone growth across the disc space between the first vertebra and the second vertebra to fuse the first and second vertebrae to one another.