Abstract: A method of treating a spine includes implanting at least a portion of a spinal construct in a patient. The method further includes attaching one or more smart implants to the spinal construct. Each of the one or more smart implants includes (a) an attachment portion configured to attach the smart implant to the spinal construct, and (b) at least one sensor configured to measure an aspect of the spinal construct when the smart implant is attached to the spinal construct. The method further includes receiving, from the one or more smart implants, sensor information related to the aspect of the spinal construct and performing at least one intra-operational adjustment to the spinal construct based on the received sensor information.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an attachment portion having an opening configured to capture a longitudinal member therein, wherein the attachment portion is the only attachment means of the spinal implant. The spinal implant further includes a housing integrally connected to the attachment portion and defining a sealed cavity for supporting a microelectronics assembly and a power source therein. The spinal implant further includes at least one antenna in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly and at least one sensor in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly, wherein the microelectronics assembly is configured to transmit information received from the at least one sensor to an external device using the at least one antenna.

Abstract: A medical implant identification system is disclosed. The implant identification system may include a probe reader extending from a proximal end to a distal end and the distal end may include a faraday cage. The probe reader may be in communication with an operating room computer and/or a display. The implant identification system may include at least one digital set screw comprising an antenna disposed in an antenna portion of the digital set screw. In various embodiments, the faraday cage may have a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the antenna portion of the digital set screw. Additionally, the antenna may be configured to transmit identity information to the probe reader, and the identify information may be displayed by the display and/or stored in a data store of the operating room computer.

Abstract: A spinal implant includes an electronics portion with a housing defining a sealed cavity for supporting an electronics assembly and a battery therein. The spinal implant further includes at least one antenna in electrical communication with the electronics assembly and at least one sensor in electrical communication with the electronics assembly, wherein the at least one antenna is located external to the housing and is configured to transmit information received from the at least one sensor to an external device.

Abstract: Load sensing spinal implants having at least one sensor and an antenna are disclosed. An example implant may include an interbody cage extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end and in a widthwise direction from a first lateral end to a second lateral end; and an electronics portion including a housing defining a sealed cavity for supporting an electronics assembly and a battery therein. The implant may include at least one antenna in electrical communication with the electronics assembly; and at least one strain gauge configured to detect a localized force experienced by the interbody cage. The at least one antenna may be configured to transmit information received from the at least one strain gauge to an external device. The electronics assembly may be disposed on the side of the cage, a distal end of the cage, or inside a window of the cage.

Abstract: A digital pedicle screw assembly may be installed inside of the body of a patient and be configured to sense various attributes of the assembly and the patient. Embodiments may include a receiver having a U-shaped cavity for supporting a longitudinal rod and set screw therein. The receiver may include a lower cavity configured to couple to a pedicle screw and a side portion integrally connected to the receiver and including a housing defining a sealed cavity for supporting a microelectronics assembly and a battery therein. Embodiments may include at least one antenna attached to an outside of the housing and being in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly, and at least one strain gauge configured to detect a localized force experienced by the receiver and being in electrical communication with the microelectronics assembly.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

Abstract: A medical implant identification system is disclosed. The implant identification system may include a probe reader extending from a proximal end to a distal end and the distal end may include a faraday cage. The probe reader may be in communication with an operating room computer and/or a display. The implant identification system may include at least one digital set screw comprising an antenna disposed in an antenna portion of the digital set screw. In various embodiments, the faraday cage may have a size and shape corresponding to a size and shape of the antenna portion of the digital set screw. Additionally, the antenna may be configured to transmit identity information to the probe reader, and the identify information may be displayed by the display and/or stored in a data store of the operating room computer.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant is disclosed. The load sensing assembly may include: a set screw having a drive interface, a lower cavity for receiving a cover, the cover including a protrusion that may engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly may further include an antenna, and at least one sensor having an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is positioned within a sealed cavity of the set screw. In some embodiments, the antenna comprises a ferrite core and a plurality of windings that are oriented laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the set screw. In some embodiments, the sealed cavity of the set screw is hermitically sealed, and the antenna may be mechanically isolated by a bellows or cylindrical can structure.

Abstract: A system for assessing a status of a spinal implant includes a reader device, a wearable body sensor, and a spinal implant. The wearable body sensor includes a first short-range receiver, a first short-range transmitter, and an inertial measurement unit. The wearable body sensor is configured to be positioned over a portion of a spine of a wearer, and measure movement information corresponding to spinal motion of the wearer while the wearer performs one or more movements while wearing the wearable body sensor. The spinal implant includes one or more sensors configured to measure implant information comprising one or more characteristics of a fusion status of the spinal implant, a second short-range receiver, and a second short-range transmitter. The wearable body sensor is configured to communicate movement information to the reader device. The spinal implant is configured to communicate implant information to the reader device via the second transmitter.

Abstract: Embodiments pertaining to a medical construct are disclosed. The medical construct may include a set screw extending along a longitudinal axis between a proximal portion and a distal portion, for example. In various embodiments, the set screw may have an outside thread form and an interior socket, for example. In various embodiments, the socket may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis and have a circular lower surface, for example. In various embodiments, a first strain gauge, a second strain gauge, a third strain gauge, a fourth strain gauge, and a fifth strain gauge may be provided. In at least some embodiments, each of the first, second, third, and fourth strain gauges may be symmetrically disposed with respect to the lower surface, for example. Additionally, in at least some embodiments, the fifth strain gauge is disposed within a center portion of the lower surface, for example.

Abstract: A system for assessing a status of a spinal implant includes a reader device, a wearable body sensor, and a spinal implant. The wearable body sensor includes a first short-range receiver, a first short-range transmitter, and an inertial measurement unit. The wearable body sensor is configured to be positioned over a portion of a spine of a wearer, and measure movement information corresponding to spinal motion of the wearer while the wearer performs one or more movements while wearing the wearable body sensor. The spinal implant includes one or more sensors configured to measure implant information comprising one or more characteristics of a fusion status of the spinal implant, a second short-range receiver, and a second short-range transmitter. The wearable body sensor is configured to communicate movement information to the reader device. The spinal implant is configured to communicate implant information to the reader device via the second transmitter.

Abstract: A system for assessing a status of a spinal implant includes a wearable apparatus having an electronics system and one or more spinal implants in communication with the wearable apparatus. The electronics system includes a first short-range receiver, a first short-range transmitter, and an inertial measurement unit. The wearable apparatus is configured to constrain one or more movements of a wearer when worn. The one or more spinal implants include one or more sensors configured to measure one or more characteristics of a fusion status of the spinal implant, a second short-range receiver, and a second short-range transmitter. The one or more spinal implants are configured to communicate one or more of the measured characteristics to the wearable apparatus via the second transmitter.

Abstract: A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant is disclosed. The load sensing assembly may include: a set screw having a drive interface, a lower cavity for receiving a cover, the cover including a protrusion that may engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly may further include an antenna, and at least one sensor having an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit is positioned within a sealed cavity of the set screw. In some embodiments, a connecting wire extends through a through hole of the set screw and into the sealed cavity to connect the antenna with the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the cap is welded to the set screw, the through hole is filled with an insulative material, and the sealed cavity of the set screw is hermitically sealed.