Other

Intellijoint Systems Ltd.

Ruth Beer

David G Mendes

Emanuel Mendes

Gilad Barak

A distance measurement system is provided. The distance measurement system includes at least one resonant circuit, at least one magnetic element with predetermined magnetic properties, a transmitter operable to transmit an electromagnetic pulse, a receiver operable to detect oscillations emitted by said resonant circuit in response to said electromagnetic pulse, and an analyzer operable to analyze an amplitude envelope property of said oscillations, to thereby determine a distance between the resonant circuit and the magnetic element.

Systems and methods for monitoring wear and/or displacement of artificial joint members, vertebrae, segments of fractured bones and dental implants

A distance measurement system, comprising at least one resonant circuit, at least one magnetic element with predetermined magnetic properties, a transmitter operable to transmit an electromagnetic pulse, a receiver operable to detect oscillations emitted by said resonant circuit in response to said electromagnetic pulse, and an analyzer operable to analyze an amplitude envelope property of said oscillations, to thereby determine a distance between the resonant circuit and the magnetic element.

Method and apparatus for distance based detection of wear and the like in joints

An artificial joint system is provided herein. The system includes an artificial joint implantable within an individual, the artificial joint including artificial joint members each having an articulating surface and a bone attachment surface, wherein the articulating surfaces are in articulative engagement therebetween. The system further includes a detection system implanted within, or attached to, the artificial joint members and/or the bones to which the members are attached. The detection system serves for communicating an information signal receivable outside the body, the information signal indicative of a parameter associated with displacement between an artificial joint member and a bone to which it is attached and/or to wear or relative displacement of the articulating surfaces.

Artificial joint system and method utilizing same for monitoring wear and displacement of artificial joint members

A surgical method and device are provided which enable to prepare a natural patella for accepting a patella implant, while preserving a predetermined thickness of the natural patella. The device comprises: (a) a bone shaping element such as a reamer or a miller, including: (i) a rotatable bone shaping member having a lower edge; (ii) a shaft member having a scale including at least one marker; and (b) a guiding device for guiding the bone shaping element, including: (i) a patella holder for holding the natural patella; (ii) a pointer positioned at a constant distant from the patella holder for pointing at the marker, such that the distance between the pointer and the patella holder equals the sum of: the distance between the marker and the lower edge of the bone shaping member; and the preserved thickness of the natural patella. The method comprises: (a) holding the natural patella by means of a patella holder; (b) shaping the natural patella by means of a bone shaping element, the bone shaping element having: a marker; and a lower edge; (c) monitoring the shaping by means of a pointer, the distance between the pointer and the patella holder being equal to the sum of: (i) the distance between the marker and the lower edge; and (ii) the preserved thickness of the natural patella, such that when the marker merges with the pointer, a conclusion is made that the preserved thickness of the natural patella equals the predetermined value.

Surgical method and tool for repairing a patella of the knee joint

A surgical method and tool for reshaping a natural patella of the knee joint and fixing a patella implant to the remaining portion of the natural patella, an artificial patella implant, an artificial tibial knee component implant, and an artificial femoral knee component implant are disclosed.

Surgical method, surgical tool and artificial implants for repairing

A surgical method and tool for repairing a natural patella are provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a natural patella by removing a portion thereof so as to leave a substantially convex remaining portion; and (b) fixing a patella implant onto the substantially convex remaining portion of the natural patella, the patella implant including: an upper surface for sliding over the femoral articulating member; a substantially concave under surface for fixation to the convex remaining portion of the natural patella; and a circumferential facet. A surgical tool according to the present invention comprises a substantially concave rotatable reaming member, the concavity of the reaming member being substantially equal to the concavity of the undersurface of the patella implant. The reaming member features a bit for drilling a hole in the natural patella so as to accept a peg connected to the patella implant. Alternatively, the bit may be used for guiding the reaming member through a central pre-drilled hole in the natural patella.

A patella (knee cap) implant for fixation to the remaining portion of a natural patella and for sliding over a femoral articulating member, the implant including an upper surface, typically convex, for sliding over the femoral articulating member, typically a groove, and a concave undersurface for fixation to the remaining portion of the natural patella. Also provided is a tool for preparing the natural patella to accept a patella implant and a method for surgically fixing the patella implant.

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Haifa, Israel

Ruth Beer