Implantable distraction device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a monitoring method for generating a distraction indicator, including: receiving data from an implantable bone distraction device, corresponding to a mechanical vibration response of a medium comprising the implantable bone distraction device, as measured by at least one vibration sensor; computing from the received data a distraction indicator through at least the steps of: determining at least one vibration pattern of said medium from the vibration response measured by the at least one vibration sensor; analyzing the evolution of a first value of the at least one vibration pattern of said medium determined from the measured vibration response during a first period; and generating a distraction indicator as a function of the first value.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A monitoring method for generating a distraction indicator, comprising:
 receiving data from an implantable bone distraction device, corresponding to a mechanical vibration response of a medium comprising the implantable bone distraction device, as measured by at least one vibration sensor;   computing from the received data a distraction indicator through at least the steps of:
 determining at least one vibration pattern of said medium from the vibration response measured by the at least one vibration sensor; 
 analyzing the evolution of a first value of the at least one vibration pattern of said medium determined from the measured vibration response during a first period; and 
 generating a distraction indicator as a function of the first value. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein computing the distraction indicator from the received data comprises:
 determining at least one vibration pattern of said medium from the vibration response measured by the at least one vibration sensor;   analyzing the evolution of a first value of the at least one vibration pattern of said medium determined from the measured vibration response during a first period;   analyzing the evolution of a second value of the at least one vibration pattern of said medium determined from the measured vibration response during a second period;   performing a comparison between the first value and the second value; and   generating a distraction indicator as a function of said comparison.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein generating the distraction indicator is performed when a comparison between the first value and the second value exceeds a predefined threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predefined threshold ranges from approximately 1 percent to approximately 7 percent of the first value. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predefined threshold ranges from approximately 0.5 percent to approximately 10 percent of the first value. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predefined threshold ranges from approximately 0.5 percent to approximately 20 percent of the first value. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vibration sensor is implanted in a patient. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising calculating a distraction indicator from the received vibration data as a function of an evolution of the vibration data over time, wherein the evolution of the vibration data is an indicator of callus formation between the first bone section and the second bone section. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting instructions to the implantable bone distraction device for providing a distraction when the distraction indicator is generated. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a space between two separated bone sections by increasing the space when the distraction indicator is generated. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a space between two separated bone sections by reducing the space when the distraction indicator is generated. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the implantable bone distraction device is configured to measure a vibration response of the medium at a frequency range of from approximately 20 Hertz (Hz) to approximately 10,000 Hz. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the implantable bone distraction device is configured to measure a vibration response of the medium at a frequency range of from approximately 30 Hz to approximately 7,000 Hz. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the implantable bone distraction device is configured to measure a vibration response of the medium at a frequency range of from approximately 40 Hz to approximately 5,000 Hz. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the at least one vibration pattern of the medium is performed continuously or semi-continuously. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein when the first value of the vibration pattern is determined, the first value becomes the reference.