The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 09, 2004
Mark R. Disilvestro, Ft. Wayne, IN (US);
Jason T. Sherman, Warshaw, IN (US);
Terry L. Dietz, Columbia City, IN (US);
Mark R. Disilvestro, Ft. Wayne, IN (US);
Jason T. Sherman, Warshaw, IN (US);
Terry L. Dietz, Columbia City, IN (US);
Depuy Products, Inc., Warsaw, IN (US);
Abstract
A joint endoprosthesis system has first and second prosthetic components. The second prosthetic component has a bearing surface. The interface of the bearing surface and the first prosthetic component defines the joint articulation. A signal source and sensor are affixed on opposite sides of the joint articulation. The signal source generates a first signal that is received by the sensor. The sensor generates a second signal that has a characteristic that varies depending on the distance between the sensor and the signal source. A transmitter transmits a signal. The signal has a characteristic that varies depending on the characteristic of the second signal. This system can be used to measure a dimension of the joint space and to determine whether a dimension of the joint space has changed over time. The system may alternatively use magnets and magnetic sensors.