Colorado State University Research Foundation

Innovative in Vivo Sensing, LLC

Christian Matthew Puttlitz

Kevin M Labus

Benjamin C Gadomski

Kirk C McGilvray

Hilmi Volkan Demir

Jakob Wolynski

Emre Unal

Mitchell Page

Rohat Melik

A biocompatible implant, as well as method of fabricating the implant and repairing an annular defect in annulus fibrosus (AF) of an intervertebral disc (IVD) disposed in a functional spinal unit (FSU), includes an insert that provides faces that can interface with the defect to repair or treat the AF. The implant can deliver biological and mechanical factors to enhance healing in an annular defect and prevent recurrence of herniation symptoms. The implant can be fabricated using a hybrid of first fibrous scaffold structure including at least a first layer and a second layer of first fibers fabricated via three-dimensional fiber deposition (3FD) and second fibrous scaffold structure including a third layer and a fourth layer of second fibers formed via melt electrowriting (MEW). Suitable attachment methods, including bio-adhesives can be used to bond the implant to the IVD and/or FSU.

Implant for repairing spinal annular defect, method of fabricating the implant, and method of repairing the defect using the implant

A loading device, a monitoring system, and a method thereof can measure stiffness of a structural member (SM) and monitor progress or property thereof over time. The loading device includes two types of displacement sensors, one type being an antenna. As the SM, which is in a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the antenna without contact, undergoes displacement under known loads, characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM change over time due to the displacement of the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM can be used to determine the displacement of the SM. Based on the changes in the displacement over time, diagnosis of the SM being monitored over an evaluation period can be made. The loading device includes at least one movable frame to apply a preload to the SM.

Loading device for measuring stiffness of structural member over time, monitoring system, and method thereof

Multiple deflections of a structural member (SM) can be measured at multiple locations thereof, which deflections can be used to monitor changes in stiffness over time, using at least one antenna to measure the resonant frequencies at different harmonic frequency numbers of a predetermined radio frequency spectrum. One antenna can include a plurality of coils providing a first coil region that has a maximum sensitive to a first resonant frequency harmonic number and another antenna can include a plurality of coils providing a second coil region that has a maximum sensitivity to a second resonant frequency harmonic number that is different from the first predetermined resonant frequency harmonic number. Using different harmonic resonant frequency numbers, deflections at multiple regions of the SM can be determined concurrently using a plurality of antennae.

Method and system for measuring deflections of structural member at multiple locations using multiple antennae

Multiple deflections of a structural member (SM) can be measured at multiple locations thereof, which deflections can be used to monitor changes in stiffness over time, using an antenna to measure the resonant frequencies at different harmonic frequency numbers of a predetermined radio frequency spectrum. The antenna includes a plurality of coils providing at least a first coil region that has a maximum sensitive to a first resonant frequency harmonic number and a second coil region spaced from the first coil region and that has a maximum sensitivity to a second resonant frequency harmonic number that is different from the first predetermined resonant frequency harmonic number. Using different harmonic resonant frequency numbers, deflections at multiple regions of the SM can be determined concurrently using a single antenna.

Method and system for measuring deflections of structural member at multiple locations and antenna thereof

A loading device, a monitoring system, and a method thereof can measure stiffness of a structural member (SM), such as a bone, and monitor progress or property over time. The loading device includes two types of displacement sensors, one type being an antenna. As the SM, which is in a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the antenna without contact, undergoes displacement under known loads, characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM change over time due to the displacement of the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM can be used to determine the displacement of the SM. Based on the changes in the displacement over time, diagnosis of the SM being monitored over an evaluation period can be made.

A monitoring method and system include an antenna disposed spaced from a structural member (SM), which itself can be the target object or attachable to a target object, without using any in-dwelling strain sensor. The antenna is arranged to not touch the SM in at least the no load condition. As the target object undergoes displacement and/or deformation, the SM undergoes displacement and/or deformation. The SM is juxtaposed, partially contained with, or fully contained within a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the emitting antenna. Characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM shift over time due to the displacement and/or deformation applied to the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM over time can be used to determine the temporal change in deformation and/or displacement of the SM over time to enable diagnosis of the target structural object being monitored.

Displacement and deformation monitoring method and system without using any strain sensor, and components thereof

A dynamic spinal stabilization device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The dynamic spinal stabilization device includes two or more screw assemblies, each of which include a pedicle screw and a head socket containing a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.

Pedicle screw assembly and dynamic spinal stabilization devices incorporating the pedicle screw assembly

An interspinous spacer device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The interspinous spacer device includes a sliding rod and a base that contains a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.

Interspinous spacer devices for dynamic stabilization of degraded spinal segments

Electronic devices, apparatus, systems, and methods of operating and constructing the devices, apparatus, and/or systems include a wireless sensor configured to measure strain of hardware implanted in a subject. In various embodiments, temporal measurement of the hardware strain includes monitoring changes of the resonant frequency of the sensor. The sensor can be realized as an inductively powered device that operates as an all-on-chip resonator, where the components of the sensor are biocompatible. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

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Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Christian Matthew Puttlitz