Adjustable, remote-controllable orthopaedic prosthesis and associated method

Abstract

An implantable, adjustable prosthesis includes a first component which may be moved relative to a second component by use of a transcutaneous control signal. A method of operating such a prosthesis is also disclosed.

1 . An orthopaedic system comprising:
 an implantable knee prosthesis comprising:   (i) a first component,   (ii) a second component,   (iii) a drive assembly operable to adjust the position of at least one of the first component and the second component relative to the other,   (iv) a sensor configured to sense the relative position of the first component and the second component, and   (v) an electronic controller electrically coupled to the sensor so as to receive the output therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control operation of the drive assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic controller comprises an antenna configured to receive signals from outside the body of the patient subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of a patient. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable further comprises a power source electrically coupled to the drive. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 1 , further comprising an external transmitter, wherein the external transmitter is configured to transmit signals from outside the body to the electronic controller subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of the patient. 
     
     
         6 . An orthopaedic system comprising:
 an implantable knee prosthesis comprising:   (i) an elongated stem assembly, the elongated stem assembly configured to be received in a surgically prepared medullary canal of a femur,   (ii) a neck configured to receive a femoral head prosthesis,   (iii) a drive assembly operable to adjust the position of at least one of the elongated stem component and the neck relative to the other,   (iv) a sensor configured to sense the relative position of the elongated stem and the neck, and   (v) an electronic controller electrically coupled to the sensor so as to receive the output therefrom.   
     
     
         7 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic controller is further configured to control operation of the drive assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 6 , wherein the electronic controller comprises an antenna configured to receive signals from outside the body of the patient subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 6 , wherein the implantable further comprises a power source electrically coupled to the drive. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 6 , further comprising an external transmitter, wherein the external transmitter is configured to transmit signals from outside the body to the electronic controller subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of the patient. 
     
     
         11 . An orthopaedic implant, comprising:
 an implantable knee prosthesis, comprising:   an elongated stem assembly,   a neck component,   a first drive assembly coupled to the elongated stem assembly and configured to move the elongated stem assembly along a first axis,   a second drive assembly coupled to the neck component and configured to move the neck component along a second axis, the second axis being different than the first axis, and   a power source secured to at least one of the elongated stem assembly and the neck component, wherein the power source is electrically coupled to both the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable prosthesis of  claim 11 , further comprising a controller secured to at least one of the elongated stem assembly and the neck component, wherein the controller is configured to control operation of both the first drive assembly and the second drive assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 12 , further comprising an external transmitter, wherein the external transmitter is configured to transmit signals from outside the body to the electronic controller subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The orthopaedic system of  claim 13 , further comprising an external receiver, wherein the external receiver is configured to receive signals generated by the electronic controller from within the body subsequent to the prosthesis being implanted in the body of the patient. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable prosthesis of  claim 11 , further comprising a position sensor configured to sense the position of at least one of the elongated stem assembly and the neck component.