Device and method for bone adjustment operating with wireless transmission energy

Abstract

An implantable device for the elongation of a bone in a mammal. The device comprises at least one elongated device adapted to be implanted in relation to said bone and two or more anchoring devices adapted to be in contact with the bone in said material, adapted to engage the bone and stabilizing in relation to the bone, wherein said anchoring devices are adapted to be implanted intramedullary in the bone of said mammal. The two or more anchoring devices are adapted to engage said bone from the inside of the intramedullar cavity of the bone and carry weight on the inside of the bone. The device further comprises an adjustment device adapted to be implanted intramedullary in the bone of said mammal, for adjusting at least one mechanical bone related parameter of said at least one elongated device, wherein said adjustment device is constructed to postoperatively non-invasively adjust said at least one mechanical bone related parameter.

1 .- 146 . (canceled) 
     
     
         147 . An implantable device for the elongation of a bone in a mammal, comprising;
 at least one elongated device adapted to be implanted in relation to said bone,   two or more anchoring devices adapted to be in contact with the bone in said mammal, adapted to engage the bone and stabilizing in relation to the bone, wherein said anchoring devices are adapted to be implanted intramedullary in the bone of said mammal, wherein the two or more anchoring devices are adapted to engage said bone from the inside of the intramedullar cavity of the bone and carry weight on the inside of the bone, and   an adjustment device adapted to be implanted intramedullary in the bone of said mammal, for adjusting at least one mechanical bone related parameter of said at least one elongated device, wherein said adjustment device is constructed to postoperatively non-invasively adjust said at least one mechanical bone related parameter, and wherein said adjustment device is adapted to at least adjust the distance between or orientation of the at least two anchoring devices, wherein the adjustment device further comprising a control device, and wherein the adjustment device is configured to be controlled by said control device, and wherein said control device is configured to be at least one of:   programmable from outside the patient's body,   programmed to regulate the apparatus according to a pre-programmed time-schedule, and   programmed to regulate the apparatus according to input from a sensor sensing any possible physical parameter of the patient or any functional parameter of the system.   
     
     
         148 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the control device, at least one of;
 follows a program of incremental changes, set before the device is implanted, and
 follows a program of incremental changes, communicated to the control device after implantation and/or during the treatment. 
   
     
     
         149 . The device according to any of  claim 147 , wherein said adjustment is at least one of the lengthening of a bone, the compression of a bone, the healing of a fracture, the changing of a bone angle, the reshaping of a bone, a step in a treatment to correct a limb discrepancy caused by at least one of; a congenital condition, deformation or previous trauma, changing the curvature of a bone, changing the torsion of a bone, changing the angle between the diaphysis and the epiphysis, changing the thickness of a bone, changing the curvature of the spine, adjoining of vertebrae adapted to change at least one of; the curvature of the spine and to relieve a herniated lumbar disc or the like. 
     
     
         150 . The device according to  claim 147 , comprising two or more anchoring devices for attaching to a bone, wherein the two or more anchoring devices are, at least one of:
 adapted to be anchored to the bone,   adapted to engage the bone from the inside of the intramedullar cavity,   chosen from at least one of a pin, a screw, an adhesive, a barb construction, a saw-tooth construction, an expandable element, combinations thereof or other mechanical connecting members,   comprising a thread for engaging and stabilizing the anchoring device in relation to the bone,   comprising an expandable part expanding at least partially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the elongated device for engaging and stabilizing the anchoring device in relation to the bone,   adapted to engage and carry weight purely on the outside of the bone,   adapted to engage and carry weight purely on the inside of the bone,   adapted to engage and carry weight purely on the inside of the bone, wherein two or more anchoring devices are adapted to engage with and carry weight to the bone without penetrating to the outside of the bone, the medulla of the bone,   anchoring a relative rotation of at least two parts adapted to rotate in relation to each other, wherein said adjustment device comprises at least two parts.   
     
     
         151 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the force exerted by the adjustment device is, at least one of;
 a longitudinal force, extending the length of the bone,   directed to the end portions of the medullar cavity,   a longitudinal force, adjusting the angle curvature of the bone, and   applying torque to the bone, adjusting the torsion of the bone along it's longitudinal axis,   
     
     
         152 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein said adjustment device is, at least one of:
 adapted to comprise torsion of a bone,   adapted to change the angle of a bone,   adapted to have at least two parts to rotate in relation to each other, wherein said adjustment device comprises at least two parts,   adapted to have at least two parts to rotate in relation to each other wherein said adjustment device comprises at least two parts, the relative rotation being anchored by at least two anchoring devices,   adapted to have at least two parts angled in relation to each other, wherein said adjustment device comprises at least two parts,   adapted to change the curvature of a bone,   adapted to change the curvature of the spine,   adapted to adjoining vertebrae,   adapted to change at least one of; the curvature of the spine and to relieve a herniated lumbar disc or the like, or   adapted to non-adjoining vertebrae.   
     
     
         153 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the control device, at least one of:
 controls incremental changes of the adjustment device, communicated to the receiver after implantation and/or during the treatment by using an comprised external control unit and an implantable receiver suitable for wireless communication with said external control unit, having a transmitter located outside the body,   regulates the device non-invasively by manually pressing at least one subcutaneous switch, whereby the operation of the device is switched on and off, further comprising an implantable internal energy source for powering implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus, and   regulates the device non-invasively by manually pressing at least one subcutaneous switch, wherein the switch sends information to the internal control unit to perform a certain predetermined performance.   
     
     
         154 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the adjustment device comprises at least one of:
 a mechanical device for said bone adjustment,   a mechanical device for said bone adjustment comprising at least one nut and screw,   a mechanical device for said bone adjustment comprising at least one gearbox,   a mechanical device for said bone adjustment comprises a servo mechanism or mechanical amplifier,   a at least one of; a hydraulic and mechanical device for said bone adjustment, which comprising a mechanical multi step locking mechanism, locking the mechanical device in its new position after adjustment, and   at least one of; a mechanical and hydraulic device for said bone adjustment, which comprising a mechanical multi step locking mechanism, locking the mechanical device in its new position after adjustment, comprising at least one of; a sprint, a elongated structure using the principle of saw teeth, flanges, barbs or a bonnet band, a nut, a gearbox, or a spring loaded locking principle.   
     
     
         155 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the adjustment device comprises a hydraulic device for said hone adjustment, the hydraulic device is, at least one of:
 comprising a cylinder and piston,   comprising a mechanical multi step locking mechanism, locking the hydraulic device in its new position after adjustment,   comprising a mechanical multi step locking mechanism, locking the hydraulic device in its new position after adjustment, wherein the mechanical multi step locking mechanism comprises at least one of a sprint, a elongated structure using the principle of saw teeth, flanges, barbs or a bonnet band, a nut, a gearbox, or a spring loaded locking principle,   comprising hydraulic fluid and a reservoir containing said fluid, adapted to move said fluid to said adjustment device,   comprising hydraulic fluid and a reservoir containing said fluid, adapted to move said fluid to said adjustment device, wherein the hydraulic fluid is moved from said reservoir to said adjustment device by using a pre-pressurized reservoir or a pump,   comprising a device positioning system such as a fluid volume or flow measurement or any other sensor input to see the position of the adjustment device,   adapted to be stabilized when the bone adjustment is completed,   adapted to be filled with a material which stabilizes the position of the adjustment device and permanents the distance between the anchoring devices,   adapted to be stabilized when the bone adjustment is completed, wherein the material is chosen from a curable foam, a curable gel, a polymer or polymer mixture which solidifies, crosslinks or otherwise attains and retains a stable volume,   adapted to be stabilized when the bone adjustment is completed, wherein the hydraulic fluid used in said device is a material chosen from a curable foam, a curable gel, a polymer or polymer mixture which solidifies, crosslinks or otherwise attains and retains a stable volume when the curing, solidification, crosslinking or other reaction is initiated by the user,   adapted to be stabilized when the bone adjustment is completed, wherein the material is chosen from a curable foam, a curable gel, a polymer or polymer mixture which solidifies, crosslinks or otherwise attains and retains a stable volume, is added to the device, partially or completely replacing the hydraulic fluid.   
     
     
         156 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein said adjustment device is at least one
 flexible to allow introduction into the medullar cavity,   at least partly elastic and is flexible to allow introduction into the medullar cavity,   comprising a spring and is flexible to allow introduction into the medullar cavity,   adapted to regain its shape after having been bent,   adapted for exerting an intermittent and/or oscillating force, and   comprising a locking device, which allows extension of the device but substantially prevents contraction,   comprising a sensor direct or indirect sensing the position of the adjustment device.   
     
     
         157 . The device according to  claim 147 , wherein the device comprises a sensor directly or indirectly sensing the position of the adjustment device, the device comprises a feedback transmitter adapted to transmit information received direct or indirect from said sensor out from the human body, said transmitted information being adapted to be received by an external control unit and relating to the position of the adjustment device. 
     
     
         158 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , further comprising at least one of:
 a sensor or measuring device sensing or measuring a functional parameter correlated to the transfer of energy for charging an internal energy source, and a feedback device for sending feedback information from inside the patient's body to the outside thereof, the feedback information being related to the functional parameter sensed by the sensor or measured by the measuring device, further comprising an implantable internal energy source for powering implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus, and an external energy source for transferring energy in a wireless mode, wherein the internal energy source is chargeable by the energy transferred in the wireless mode,   a feedback device for sending feedback information from inside the patient's body to the outside thereof, the feedback information being related to at least one of a physical parameter of the patient and a functional parameter related to the apparatus,   a sensor and/or a measuring device and an implantable internal control unit for controlling the apparatus in response to information being related to at least one of a physical parameter of the patient sensed by the sensor or measured by the measuring device and a functional parameter related to the apparatus sensed by the sensor or measured by the measuring device, or   an external data communicator and an implantable internal data communicator communicating with the external data communicator, wherein the internal communicator feeds data related to the apparatus or the patient to the external data communicator and/or the external data communicator feeds data to the internal data communicator.   
     
     
         159 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , and the system according to  claim 158 , further comprising at least one of
 at least one switch implantable in the patient for manually and non-invasively controlling the device,   a wireless remote control for non-invasively controlling the apparatus, and   a hydraulic device having an implantable hydraulic reservoir, which is hydraulically connected to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be non-invasively regulated by manually pressing the hydraulic reservoir.   
     
     
         160 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , and the system according to claim  13 , further comprising at least one of:
 a wireless energy-transmission device for non-invasively energizing implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus with wireless energy,   an implantable internal energy source for powering implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus, and   an external energy source for transferring energy in a wireless mode and an implantable internal energy source for powering implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus, wherein the internal energy source is chargeable by the energy transferred in the wireless mode,   implantable electrical components including at least one voltage level guard and/or at least one constant current guard,   an energy-transforming device for transforming the wireless energy transmitted by the energy-transmission device from a first form into a second form of energy, wherein the second form energy is used at least partly to charge an accumulator.   
     
     
         161 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , and the system according to  claim 158 , further comprising at least one of:
 an operation device for operating the apparatus, wherein the wireless energy is used in its wireless state to directly power the operation device to create kinetic energy for the operation of the apparatus, as the wireless energy is being transmitted by the energy-transmission device, or   an energy-transforming device for transforming the wireless energy transmitted by the energy-transmission device from a first form into a second form of energy, wherein the energy-transforming device directly powers implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus with the second form energy, as the energy-transforming device transforms the first form energy transmitted by the energy-transmission device into the second form energy.   
     
     
         162 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , and the system according to claim  13 , further comprising a wireless energy-transmission device for non-invasively energizing implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus with wireless energy, further comprising a control device for controlling the transmission of wireless energy from the energy-transmission device, and an implantable internal energy receiver for receiving the transmitted wireless energy, the internal energy receiver being connected to implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus for directly or indirectly supplying received energy thereto, the system further comprising a determination device adapted to determine an energy balance between the energy received by the internal energy receiver and the energy used for the implantable energy consuming components of the apparatus wherein the control device controls the transmission of wireless energy from the external energy-transmission device, based on the energy balance determined by the determination device. 
     
     
         163 . A system comprising the device according to  claim 147 , and the system according to  claim 158 , further comprising a feedback device for sending feedback information from inside the patient's body to the outside thereof, the feedback information being related to at least one of a physical parameter of the patient and a functional parameter related to the apparatus, and an implantable internal energy receiver for receiving wireless energy, the energy receiver having an internal first coil and a first electronic circuit connected to the first coil, and an external energy transmitter for transmitting wireless energy, the energy transmitter having an external second coil and a second electronic circuit connected to the second coil, wherein the external second coil of the energy transmitter transmits wireless energy which is received by the first coil of the energy receiver, the system further comprising a feedback device for communicating out the amount of energy received in the first coil as a feedback information, and wherein the second electronic circuit includes a determination device for receiving the feedback information and for comparing the amount of transferred energy by the second coil with the feedback information related to the amount of energy received in the first coil to obtain the coupling factors between the first and second coils, wherein said implantable device for the adjustment of a bone is adapted to be wirelessly powered, directly or indirectly, and adapted to receive wireless energy, non-invasively transmitted from an external source for adjusting said at least one mechanical bone related parameter by said adjustment device,
 wherein the implantable device further comprising a feedback device for sending feedback information from inside the patient's body to the outside thereof, the feedback information being related to at least one of a physical parameter of the patient and a functional parameter related to the implantable device,   wherein the feedback information comprises at least information relating to an amount of energy received in a first coil, when and during the wireless energy being received, and wherein said two or more anchoring devices are adapted to securely engage the surrounding bone from inside the medullar cavity, and comprise a part securing and extending at least partially perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the elongated device for engaging and stabilizing the anchoring device in relation to the bone.