Patent ID: 8095198
Filing Date: 2012-01-10
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A detection system for detecting a condition of a bone comprising: a sensor capable of operating in vivo to detect a cytokine associated with a condition of a bone and to generate a signal representative of a level of the detected cytokine, the sensor configured to be positioned in direct contact with the bone and extending through and in engagement with an artificial implant, the artificial implant defining an opening such that the sensor extends through the opening and into the bone, the sensor having an outer surface configured to detect the cytokine, the outer surface including a bone engaging portion configured for disposal within the bone and for directly detecting the cytokine in the bone, the bone engaging portion extending from an outer surface of the artificial implant, and the sensor having an implant portion having an end surface being aligned with an inner surface of the artificial implant; a transmitter operable to receive the signal from the sensor and transmit the signal; a receiver operable to receive the signal from the transmitter and to enable a human intelligible display representative of the signal; at least one control sensor capable of operating in vivo at an area remote from the sensor, and operable to detect a condition in a bone at the remote area and to generate a signal representative of the detected condition; and a signal processor operable to receive and compare signals generated by the sensor and signals generated by the at least one control sensor, and operable to send a signal to the transmitter when a signal received from the sensor deviates from a signal received from the at least one control sensor.