Acetabular cup having a wireless communication device

Abstract

A orthopaedic implant comprises an acetabular cup and a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is coupled to a rim surface of the acetabular cup. In one embodiment, a recess is defined in the rim surface and the wireless communication device is positioned therein. In another embodiment, the wireless communication device is positioned in an annular ring formed of a biocompatible material. The annular ring is coupled to the rim surface of the acetabular cup. The wireless communication device may be, for example, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or device.

1 . An orthopaedic implant comprising:
 an acetabular cup having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a rim surface defined between the outer surface and the inner surface;   an annular ring formed from a biocompatible material coupled to the rim surface of the acetabular cup; and   a wireless communication device positioned in the annular ring.   
     
     
         2 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , wherein the annular ring comprises a bottom surface in registry with the rim surface. 
     
     
         3 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , wherein the annular ring is formed from a dielectric material. 
     
     
         4 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. 
     
     
         5 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device comprises:
 a transponder circuit; and   an antenna.   
     
     
         6 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 5 , wherein the antenna is a dipole antenna. 
     
     
         7 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 5 , wherein the antenna is a meandering dipole antenna. 
     
     
         8 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 5 , wherein the transponder circuit is configured to transmit identification data associated with the acetabular cup. 
     
     
         9 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 8 , wherein the transponder circuit is configured to transmit the identification data in response to an interrogation signal received via the antenna. 
     
     
         10 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit data using a frequency in a range of 30 megahertz to 3,000 megahertz. 
     
     
         11 . The orthopaedic implant of  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor electrically coupled to the wireless communication device and configured to generate sensor data, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit the sensor data.