Surgical implants including sensing fibers

Abstract

A monitoring system includes a surgical implant configured for implantation in vivo and having at least one sensing fiber configured to measure a preselected physiological parameter, and a receiving unit in wireless communication with the at least one sensing fiber and configured to receive measurements of the preselected physiological parameter. A surgical system includes an end effector having a plurality of fasteners, and a surgical implant securable to tissue via the plurality of fasteners. The surgical implant includes at least one sensing fiber configured to measure a preselected physiological parameter.

1 . A monitoring system comprising:
 a surgical implant configured for implantation in vivo and including at least one sensing fiber configured to measure a preselected physiological parameter; and   a receiving unit in wireless communication with the at least one sensing fiber and configured to receive measurements of the preselected physiological parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant includes a porous layer, and the at least one sensing fiber is disposed within the porous layer. 
     
     
         3 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant is formed from a plurality of fibers, and the at least one sensing fiber is incorporated into the plurality of fibers. 
     
     
         4 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant includes a non-porous layer, and the at least one sensing fiber is disposed within the non-porous layer. 
     
     
         5 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensing fiber is an optical fiber. 
     
     
         6 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the preselected physiological parameter measured by the at least one sensing fiber is pH. 
     
     
         7 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the preselected physiological parameter measured by the at least one sensing fiber is a quantity of an analyte. 
     
     
         8 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the preselected physiological parameter measured by the at least one sensing fiber is force. 
     
     
         9 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensing fiber includes a core and a sheath disposed over the core. 
     
     
         10 . The monitoring system according to  claim 9 , wherein the core includes a semiconducting element, a conducting element, and an insulating element. 
     
     
         11 . The monitoring system according to  claim 9 , wherein the core includes a semiconducting element and a plurality of conducting elements in contact with the semiconducting element. 
     
     
         12 . The monitoring system according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of conducting elements are electrically connected in a circuit. 
     
     
         13 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The monitoring system according to  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of conducting elements are electrodes. 
     
     
         22 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant is a surgical buttress. 
     
     
         23 . The monitoring system according to  claim 1 , wherein the surgical implant is a surgical mesh.