US5456724A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load sensor for bone graft
Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
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Filing: 1993-12-15
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Granted: 1995-10-10
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Expires: 2013-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A load sensor inserted between two bones for sensing a stress exerted on the load sensor includes a body, and a load transducer mounted in the body for transducing a strain thereof resulting from the stress into an electronic signal. Such load sensor can detect a stress exerted on a bone graft bone and/or the interaction of the bone graft and spine implant to improve curative effects and increase the successful rate of a bone graft operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Hung-Ju Yen
- 👤 Chih-Ming Wu
- 👤 Wei-Tai Jao
- 👤 Chen-Dao Shiao
- 👤 Chi-Ming Shih
- 👤 Cheng-Kung Cheng
- 👤 Tze-Hong Wong
- 👤 Kou-Shung Sheh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4657; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/22; A61B5/224; A61B5/45; A61B5/4504; A61F2/44; G; G01; G01L; G01L1/00; G01L1/20; G01L1/22; G01L1/2206; G01L1/2231; G01L1/2237; A61F2/28; A61F2002/2835; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30316; A61F2002/30329; A61F2002/30405; A61F2002/30535; A61F2002/30537; A61F2002/3055; A61F2002/4666; A61F2220/00; A61F2220/0025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A load sensor adapted to be inserted between two bones of a mammal system for sensing a stress exerted on said load sensor comprising: a body; a load transducer mounted in said body for transducing a strain occurring thereon when said body is subjected to said stress into an electronic signal adapted to be transmitted to an analyzer for analyzing said stress exerted on said load sensor; and a length-adjusting means mounted on one end of said body for adjusting a length of said load sensor to make said load sensor firmly fixed between said two bones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A load sensor adapted to be inserted between two bones of a mammal system for sensing a stress exerted on said load sensor comprising: a body; a load transducer mounted in said body for transducing a strain occurring thereon when said body is subjected to said stress into an electronic signal adapted to be transmitted to an analyzer for analyzing said stress exerted on said load sensor; and a length-adjusting means mounted on one end of said body for adjusting a length of said load sensor to make said load sensor firmly fixed between said two bones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said analyzer includes a computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said analyzer includes an indicator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said body includes: a first post with a relatively smaller diameter and with a male screw thread; and a second post with a relatively larger diameter and generally connected coaxially to said first post.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A load sensor according to claim 4 wherein said second post contains therein said load transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
A load sensor according to claim 4 wherein said length-adjusting means includes: a hollow tube provided therein with a female screw thread engageable with said male screw thread for adjusting said length of said load sensor; a first positioning device mounted on one end of said hollow tube for permitting one end of said load sensor to be fixed with one of said two bones and for automatically producing an aligning effect.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A load sensor according to claim 6 wherein said second post and said hollow tube are respectively provided thereon with knurled surfaces for conveniently adjusting said length of said load sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A load sensor according to claim 6, further comprising a fixing device including: a first disk held attached closely to said load transducer for protecting and shielding said load transducer from an undesired communication interference; a second disk having a relatively larger diameter and connected to said first disk for protecting said load transducer and a bottom of said body and for enlarging a force-receiving area; and a second positioning device connected to said second disk for permitting said load sensor to be fixed with another one of said two bones and for automatically providing an aligning effect.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A load sensor according to claim 8 wherein said first and second positioning devices are respectively protrusions with an arc end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A load sensor according to claim 8 wherein said first and second positioning devices are respectively protrusions with a pointed end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A load sensor according to claim 8 wherein said first and second positioning devices are respectively protrusions with a claw-shaped end.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said length-adjusting means is fixed by a blocking device when said length is adjusted to a desired length.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A load sensor according to claim 12 wherein said blocking device includes at least one bolt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
A load sensor according to claim 13 wherein said body is processed to have a longitudinal plane surface in order that said male screw thread will not be damaged when said at least one bolt is to fix said length-adjusting means firmly, and superfluous blood, fat and flesh can be discharged along said longitudinal plane surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said load transducer includes: a transducer body for resulting in said strain produced thereon when subject to said stress; and plural strain gages mounted on said transducer body for sensing said strain.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A load sensor according to claim 15 wherein said transducer body has a pair of planes on two opposite sides thereof and an egg-shaped hole therein.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
A load sensor according to claim 16 wherein said egg-shaped hole and said pair of planes form thereby two thinnest portions of said transducer body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A load sensor according to claim 17 wherein said two thinnest portions respectively have two outer surfaces and two inner surfaces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
A load sensor according to claim 18 wherein said plural strain gages include four strain gages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A load sensor according to claim 19 wherein said four strain gages are respectively located on said surfaces.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said load transducer is piezoelectric.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said load transducer is inductive.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said two bones are two parts of a broken bone.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said two bones are two parts of an ill bone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
14 words
A load sensor according to claim 24 wherein said two bones are partially separated.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A load sensor according to claim 1 wherein said two bones are two segments of a patient's spine.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |