Patent Application
20250017627
The present disclosure relates to a medical bone implant for stabilizing a bone region with an implant body manufactured from a thermoplastic composite material, such as is often used especially for the bracing of the spine or in the treatment of trauma. Furthermore, the disclosure concerns a method for monitoring the condition of an implant.
In the field of medicine, implants are used increasingly often and for various reasons. An implant is an artificial device which is inserted into the human or animal body for a specific, mostly prolonged time period. The implant can, for example, serve to support or replace a body function, such as is the case for example with cardiac pacemakers, cochlea implants, or prostheses. Implants, however, can also serve to replace a destroyed body part or to enlarge a body part (plastic surgery), or to monitor the user, such as often is the case with RFID chips for pets.
An important group of implants is bone implants, which are often used for bracing the spine or in the treatment of trauma. Bone implants are at least partially, mostly entirely arranged inside the body, and thereby are anchored in or on a bone, that is, attached thereto.
With implants generally, and especially in the case of bone implants, the condition of the implant as well as the healing process of the patient is of interest during the entire application of the implant in the body. The condition of the implant, for example, can be related to deformations of the implant and thus forces impacting the implant, based on which conclusions can be drawn about the healing process. Vice versa, the healing process can influence the condition of the implant and, for example, its life span.
Therefore it is known to provide sensors in test implants, but also in implants inserted into the body for a prolonged period, in order to offer the medical personnel the possibility of receiving information about the healing process.
In US 2017/0196508 A1, the provision of sensors in or on spinal implants is described. The sensors can especially be acceleration meters and/or tensometers, which can be arranged at various points of the pedicle system, in order to monitor the healing process. Among others, the use of passive MEMS-(micro-electro-mechanical system-) sensors is proposed.
Further documents, which are derived from the same applicant or owner, respectively, as the US 2017/0196508 A1, and also disclose the provision of passive MEMS-sensors in implants, are WO 2015/20070 A1, WO 2015/200723 A1, WO 2015/200707 A1, WO 2015/200722 A2, WO 2015/200720 A2, WO 2014/209916 A1, WO 2014/144107 A1, WO 2014/144070 A1, WO 2014/100795 A1 and WO 2015/200718 A1.
MEMS-sensors, however, are relatively elaborate in their manufacturing and require further electronic components for the purpose of wireless reading.
In U.S. Pat. No. 9,629,583 B2, a screw is disclosed which is screwable into a bone, and in the interior of which a sensor, as well as means for processing, storage, and energy storage, are arranged.
WO 2017/004483 A1 discloses a pedicle system with a sensor attached to a connecting rod for the measurement of compression, deflection, and/or torsion of the connecting rod. Likewise, an intervertebral placeholder with a sensor is disclosed. The sensor is a tensometer strip or a piezoelectric sensor. Both types of sensors are relatively elaborate in their manufacturing and accordingly expensive. Furthermore, further electronic components are necessary in order to enable a wireless reading of the sensor data.
WO 2007/090005 A1 concerns spinal implants. The spinal implants are inserted between two neighboring vertebral bodies and comprise a sensor for measuring loads. A tensometer strip is specified as an exemplary sensor.
WO 2007/098385 A2 discloses a sensor, which is in each case implantable between two vertebral bodies, in order to measure the loads occurring there. The reading of the sensor can be carried out in a wireless manner, for example via RFID.
The WO 2007/025191 A1 discloses the attachment of sensors on an orthopedic bone implant, such as especially an intramedullary nail, for the measurement of deflection, torsion, and compression of the implant. The sensors are inserted in indentations, which are provided on the exterior of the implant. The measurement data can be transmitted to the exterior in a wireless manner.
In the patent application WO 2017/116343 A1, a pedicle system is disclosed, which comprises a sensor arranged on the connecting rod, for measuring and transferring force-, deformation- and displacement data.
Furthermore, WO 2021/15485 A2, EP 3 772 350 A1, WO 2020/247890 A1, WO 2017/165717 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 11,042,916 B1 each disclose implants with active sensors, that is with sensors which are supplied with power for example via a battery mounted in the implant, in order to carry out measurements and to store the measured data in a memory chip which is also arranged in the implant. The reading is then usually carried out via a transmitting unit which is supplied with power by the battery.
The documents WO 2020/206373 A1 and WO 2016/044651 A1 each suggest arranging passive sensors in an implant, however, they do not describe further, on which principle of measurement these sensors shall be based.
The two documents WO 2007/116218 A1 and EP 3 150 998 B1, both from a different technical field, each describe the measurement of mechanical properties of components by means of a micro wire and by exploiting the Barkhausen-effect.
WO 2020/035217 A1 suggests the use of a micro wire in medical devices which are developed for the administration of a medicament, such as for example insulin pumps.
The present disclosure provides a medical bone implant which is easy to manufacture, which serves to stabilize a bone region and which comprises an implant body manufactured from a thermoplastic composite material and with at least one sensor, which allows a wireless reading of sensor measurement data. Additionally, the present disclosure provides a simple process for the monitoring of the condition of an implant.
In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a medical bone implant for stabilizing a bone region is provided, which implant comprises:
The at least one sensor is a passive magnetoelastic sensor.
By using a passive magnetoelastic sensor, the implant can be manufactured in an especially simple and accordingly inexpensive way. A further advantage is that a passive magnetoelastic sensor usually requires relatively little space in the implant and therefore only minimally influences the implant characteristics. Nevertheless, a passive magnetoelastic sensor optionally allows a wireless reading of the sensor data from outside the patient body. No additional electronic components, such as for example an electric circuit or a separate transmission unit are necessary. Especially, the implant also does not require any energy storage, such as a battery.
As already mentioned, bone implants are at least partially, mostly completely arranged inside the body and thus are anchored in or on a bone, i.e. attached thereto. The anchoring of the implant in or on a bone can therein also be carried out in an indirect manner, i.e. for example via a further artificially manufactured component, especially via a further implant with preferably an implant body also manufactured from a thermoplastic composite material. This is usually the case for example with pedicle systems, where a first bone implant in the form of a connecting rod is anchored via a plurality of second bone implants in the form of pedicle screws in the vertebral bodies.
A bone implant then serves to stabilize a bone region if it supports and/or enforces a bone region. The bone region preferably concerns at least that region of a bone, in or on which the implant body is anchored. Thus, the bone region to be stabilized can concern only one, or alternatively several bones or bone parts. Especially, the bone region can concern a plurality of vertebral bodies of the spine. However, the bone region to be stabilized can for example also concern only a single bone, which for example must be stabilized by means of a bone implant after a fracture, such that the bone parts are allowed to grow together again as desired. A bone implant can also be for example a vertebral body replacement or a spinal disc replacement, as usually these too are anchored on or in at least one bone, i.e. attached thereto. An artificial vertebral body replacement and an artificial spinal disc replacement serve to replace a dorsal vertebra or a spinal disc, respectively, and thus are usually anchored on or in at least one neighboring vertebral body, mostly on or in the two neighboring vertebral bodies. The vertebral body replacement and the spinal disc replacement in each case thus serve to stabilize the spine and especially the bone region with the two neighboring vertebral bodies.
The implant body usually forms the main component of the implant, which preferably gives the implant its structural stability. The implant can especially consist exclusively of implant body and the at least one sensor.
The at least one sensor forms a component which can record specific characteristics, especially physical characteristics of its surroundings in a qualitative manner or as a measured variable in a quantitative manner. The surroundings therein are usually formed by the implant body and/or the immediate region of the human or animal body around the implant body, respectively. Prior to implanting the implant in the human or animal body, respectively, the surroundings however can for example also be formed by a compression molding tool (during the manufacturing process) or by a mounting- and transport arrangement or by other such implants (during the storage or during the transport). The measured variable therein is recorded based on the magnetoelastic effect and is usually transformed into an electric signal during the reading. The implant can comprise a single magnetoelastic sensor or a plurality of magnetoelastic sensors.
The one or more parameters of the healing process and/or of the condition of the implant can especially be a mechanical load, such as for example a compression, a stretching, a deflection or a torsion, and/or a temperature of the implant. The one or more measured parameter(s) can alternatively or additionally also be for example the temperature of the human or animal body, respectively, in the immediate vicinity of the implant. Generally, the sensor can be designed for measuring any parameters which can result in a change of the magnetic characteristics of the sensor material. The one or more parameters thus enable to draw conclusions about the condition of the implant, i.e. information e.g. about pressure, tensile stress, and/or torsional forces which affect the implant, can be obtained. Especially, conclusions about the stability of the implant region, i.e. the region immediately surrounding the implant, can be drawn. The implant region thus can especially concern other implants and/or body structures connected with the implant, such as for example bones. In case of a plurality of measurements, which are carried out at different points in time, the chronological sequence of these parameters and thus any possible changes of the condition of the implant can be evaluated. From the measured parameters or the condition of the implant, respectively, and especially from their course, conclusions can then in turn be drawn about the healing process. The measurement of the temperature for example can allow to draw conclusions about an infection in the immediate vicinity surrounding the implant.
The measurement especially is based on a change of the magnetic characteristics of a material of the sensor. Especially, the load of a force on the implant changes the magnetic permeability of the sensor material. A change of the magnetic permeability of the sensor material can also be the result of a change of temperature. The sensor material therein preferably comprises a pre-magnetization. Due to the magnetoelastic effect, which is also known by the name “Villari-effect”, a load and/or temperature applied to the sensor material results in a change of the magnetic field of the sensor material, which is measurable. The measurement can be carried out especially in a wireless manner, which is especially advantageous, as no-touch measurements are enabled from outside the body.
In order to enable a measurement based on the magnetoelastic effect, the at least one sensor usually comprises at a sensor material in the form of a ferromagnetic material, preferably a ferromagnetic alloy, with an inverted magnetostriction. The ferromagnetic material changes its magnetic characteristics under mechanical or thermal stress, respectively, and especially its magnetic permeability, which can be detected and measured by means of a suitable measuring instrument or reading device, respectively.
It has been found that especially exact measurements are possible when the at least one sensor for measuring the one or more parameter(s) exploits the Barkhausen-effect. Due to the Barkhausen-effect, a continuously changing magnetic field results a discontinuous change of the magnetization of ferromagnetic materials. The reason for this lies in the presence of regions of uniform direction of magnetization, the so-called magnetic domains (german: “Weiss-Bezirke”), which are separated by Bloch-walls. For example, in case of a slow increase of the magnetic field force, the magnetic moments of entire regions, i.e. of the magnetic domains (german: “Weiss-Bezirke”), suddenly are overturned, and thus lead to an abrupt change of the magnetic field of the respective material. Due to the preferred exploitation of the Barkhausen-effect by the at least one sensor, these abrupt magnetic field changes are measurable.
An especially sensitive and exact measurement is possible when the at least one sensor is a micro wire. The usual geometric dimensions of a micro wire can result in an especially strong signal during the measurement due to the magnetoelastic effect. In case of a micro wire, the signal is also especially strong, when the Barkhausen-effect is exploited for the measurement. A micro wire can additionally be especially advantageously arranged in the interior of an implant, for example such that it extends along its main longitudinal center line.
The micro wire preferably has a diameter of 10 μm to 250 μm. The length of the micro wire is preferably more than 25 times, especially preferably more than 50 times, most preferably more than 100 times larger than the diameter.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one sensor is at least partially, more preferably entirely arranged in the interior of the implant body. The sensor thereby is optimally protected from exterior influences and can deliver measured variables directed from the interior of the implant. Vice versa, however, the surrounding body tissue is separated from the sensor, such that any intolerances with the sensor material can be prevented. In order to achieve optimal results of measurement, the at least one sensor can especially be embedded in the material of the implant body.
In an especially preferred embodiment, the implant body is manufactured from a fibre-reinforced plastic material. The fibre-reinforced plastic material preferably is a carbon fibre reinforced plastic material, such as for example polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The manufacture of the implant body from a thermoplastic plastic material and especially from a fibre-reinforced plastic material on the one hand has the advantage that the manufacture of structurally very stable implants is possible, which additionally are biocompatible and advantageous for imaging processes, such as e.g. MRI. On the other hand, however, thermoplastic plastic material and especially fibre-reinforced plastic material, compared to metals, for example, is also permeable for electromagnetic radiation. Carrying out sensor measurements is therefore easily possible if the sensor is entirely arranged in the interior of the implant body.
In case the implant body is manufactured from a fibre-reinforced plastic material, the fibre length preferably is at least 1 mm, preferably at least 5 mm. Especially preferably, the length of the fibres however is so large that it corresponds to the complete length of the main direction of extension of the implant body. This imparts the implant body with an especially high stiffness and structural stability.
A good implant stability is achieved when the fibre volume content lies in a range of 20-80%, preferably in a range of 35-70%, especially preferably in a range of 45-60%.
As plastic materials, preferably thermoplastics are used, especially preferably so-called high temperature thermoplastics of the families of polyaryletherketones, polyimides and/or polysulfones.
Especially preferred is an embodiment in which the implant comprises a main longitudinal center line, and in which the at least one sensor extends essentially along the entire longitudinal extension of this main longitudinal center line. The main longitudinal center line constitutes a line which extends along its entire longitudinal extension centrally inside the implant, especially inside the implant body. The at least one sensor therefore preferably has essentially the same length as the implant. If the implant describes e.g. an altogether bent or spiral form, the main longitudinal center line also comprises a correspondingly bent or spirally formed design, respectively, such that the at least one sensor also comprises an altogether bent or spirally formed design. This has the advantage that measurements along the entire longitudinal extension of the implant are possible, such that the measurement can encompass the entire implant and is not limited to individual points of the implant. The implant thus can be entirely controlled and monitored over its entire length. a
If the at least one sensor is a micro wire, it can either extend entirely continuously or in pieces as adjoining aligned sections essentially along the entire longitudinal extension of this main longitudinal center line. In other words, the implant can comprise a plurality of sensors, i.e. micro wires, which are arranged in regularly spaced intervals along the main longitudinal center line. In case several aligned sections are provided, they are preferably arranged in a regularly spaced manner to each other. One advantage of several aligned sections can be that separate measurements for the different sections are possible, such that e.g. differences in the load distribution along the main longitudinal center line of the implant body become measurable.
The implant can also contain several such sensors, which extend parallel to each other. Preferably, the sensors extend not only parallel to each other, but also parallel to the main longitudinal center line, which, depending on the design of the implant, can have a bent configuration. By providing several sensors which are arranged parallel to each other, it becomes possible to detect torsional forces which affect the implant.
The implant can especially be a spinal implant, such as an artificial replacement of a vertebral body, an artificial replacement of a spinal disk, a dowel, a screw-anchor, a fixation plate, a pedicle screw, or a connecting rod of a pedicle system. In case of a fixation plate, the fixation plate can be a plate for fixing the spine in an anterior, lateral or posterior region. As an alternative, the implant can also be a trauma implant, such as especially a general anchor system, in other words for example a screw anchor or a dowel, or a bone plate or a bone screw.
The at least one sensor preferably has a temperature stability up to at least 450° C. That means that the at least one sensor is not damaged as long as it is subjected to a temperature which does not exceed 450° C. Advantageously, measurements up to a temperature of 450° C. are also possible by means of the at least one sensor. Such a configuration of the at least one sensor has advantages in terms of the implant manufacturing process. Thereby, the at least one sensor can be integrated in the implant at an early point in time during the manufacturing process, without being damaged by the increased temperature values. Advantageously, it is thereby even possible to carry out measurements by means of the at least one sensor, already during manufacturing process, in order to monitor the manufacturing process. For example, influences affecting the implant body during the manufacturing process, such as especially pressure and temperature, can be measured, in order to draw conclusions about the quality of the implant.
The present disclosure furthermore relates to a method for monitoring a condition of an implant and/or of the healing process of a human or animal body, into which the implant is inserted, wherein the implant especially can be a bone implant as described above, and wherein the implant comprises at least one passive magnetoelastic sensor for measuring one or more parameters of the healing process and/or the condition of the implant. Therein, the sensor is used for monitoring the condition of the implant during its manufacturing process and/or during its storage.
Preferably, the development of pressure and temperature is measured and advantageously also recorded during the manufacturing process and/or during storage of the implant. This way, the integrity and the intactness of the implant can be ensured. Implants, whose pressure and/or temperature for example do not progress within specific margins during the manufacturing process and/or storage, can be discarded. This way, it can be prevented that implants containing manufacturing defects and/or which have been damaged during storage are implanted into the human or animal body. Such a monitoring of the implant by means of the at least one sensor already during the manufacturing process and/or storage is not only possible with bone implants, but also with any other implants.
Preferably, the condition of an implant is not only controlled during the manufacturing process and/or during storage, but also immediately following its implantation into a human or animal body. By “immediately following its implantation” it is meant that e.g. the forces affecting the implant directly after its insertion into the body are measured, thus at the very onset of the healing process. This way, especially the correct positioning of the implant in the body can be verified.
Alternatively, or in addition, but preferably, the healing process following the implantation of the implant into a human or animal body is monitored by means of the at least one sensor. The monitoring, thus e.g. the measurement of the forces affecting the implant and/or the measurement of the temperature by means of the at least a sensor, can especially be carried out in regular time lags. By means of the course of e.g. the forces affecting the implant, conclusions can be drawn about the healing process, and depending thereon, the treatment can for example be terminated or adjusted.
For the manufacturing of the implant, preferably a plurality of prepregs, especially unidirectional prepregs are used, which are pressure-grouted to each other under pressure and heat. Prepregs are understood to be fibre-matrix-semifinished products, thus semifinished products with reinforcement fibres, which are preferably arranged in a plastic matrix. The reinforcement fibres are preferably carbon fibres. The prepregs can e.g. be present in the form of a strand, band or plate. By pressure-grouting the prepregs under pressure and temperature, the prepregs are preferably continuously welded and brought into the final form of the implant. After the pressure-grouting, the prepregs preferably form the implant body.
Prior to the pressure-grouting, the at least one sensor can be arranged between the prepregs, which are then pressure-grouted to each other such that the sensor is also arranged between the prepregs during the pressure-grouting process, and thereby comes to lie at least partially, preferably entirely, in the interior of the implant body in the final implant. Alternatively, the at least one sensor can already be embedded in one of the prepregs during the pressure-grouting process. In that case, the embedding of the sensor in one of the prepregs already takes place prior to the pressure-grouting. In this way, the sensor can be optimally positioned in the implant.
Preferred embodiments of the disclosure are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are merely for the purpose of illustration and not to be interpreted as to be limiting. In the drawings,
In
Other embodiments of the fixation system shown in
In the interior of the slightly bent connecting rod 14, one or more sensors are arranged. In the present case, the sensor is formed by a micro wire 2, which extends in a longitudinal direction continuously along the main longitudinal center line of the connecting rod 14. Passive sensors, e.g. also in the form of a micro wire, can also be embedded in the respective pedicle screws 11.
The micro wire 2 is formed of a ferromagnetic material, which comprises an inverted magnetostriction. Upon change of the forces and/or temperature acting on the connecting rod 14 and thus on the micro wire 2, the micro wire 2 e.g. is marginally deformed, compressed, twisted and/or stretched. Due to the magnetoelastic effect, the magnetic permeability of the material of the micro wire 2 thereby changes, which is detectable and measurable by means of a reading device 5 (see
In the cross-sectional view of
Thermoplastics are used as a plastic matrix 31, preferably so-called high temperature thermoplastics of the families of polyaryletherketones, polyimides, or polysulfones. The fibre length of the carbon fibres is at least 1 mm, however, preferably a length which corresponds to the complete length of the main extension direction of the connecting rod 14.
The fibre volume content is in a range of from 20 to 80%, preferably between a range of 35-70%, especially preferred between a range of 45-60%. The connecting rod 14 illustrated in
The diameter of the connecting rod 14 illustrated in
The sensor 2 used in the connecting rod 14 of
Therein, embodiments of the micro wire 2 are preferably used, which have a diameter in the range of 10 μm to 250 μm and preferably extend over the entire length of the implant, either completely continuously or in pieces in adjoining sections, whereby the entire length of the component of the connecting rod 14 can be completely controlled and monitored. An especially preferred embodiment of such passive sensors are those which comprise a temperature stability of up to at least 450° C. and a have a precision in the temperature recording of at least ±0.1 K. The preferred positioning of the micro wire 2 in the connecting rod 14 is central, however, also a non-central positioning is conceivable. With the embodiment of this micro wire 2 in the connecting rod 14, it is also possible, prior to implantation, to record and transmit in a wireless manner the temperatures during the manufacturing process and/or storage of the connecting rod 14.
The number of sensors in the embodiment of
The embodiment illustrated in
Thus, in case of a central positioning of the micro wire 2, as is the case for example in the embodiment of
The embodiment illustrated in
The passive sensors provided in the embodiments of
In the first variant, which is illustrated in
The fibre volume content is in a range of 20 to 80%, preferably in a range of 35-70%, especially preferably in a range of 45-60%. As a material for the plastic matrix 31, thermoplastics are used, especially preferably so-called high-temperature thermoplastics of the families of the polyaryletherketones, polyimides and polysulfones.
The prepregs 3 are arranged in a second step to preforms in a geometrically precise manner, or stacked, respectively, and in between, the micro wire 2 is positioned in a centralized manner. The arrangement of the prepregs 3 can be carried out in a manual or automatic manner, for example by means of a tape laying process or by means of a 3D-printer. The positioning of the sensor, in this case the micro wire 2, can be carried out in a manual or automatic manner, for example with a 3D-printer. The precision of the arrangement of the prepregs 3 and of the sensor can be improved by means of pressure and temperature in the sense that the prepregs 3 are pre-welded to each other and to the micro wire 2, and subsequently cooled.
In a third step, the preform for example is heated in a pressure-grouting tool to a processing temperature above the melting point of the plastic matrix 31, and pressure-grouted onto the end contour of the connecting rod 14 and cooled, wherein here the integrated micro wire 2 can already transmit in a wireless manner for the purpose of recording the manufacturing data relating to the pressure and the temperature of the connecting rod 14.
In the second variant, which is illustrated in
The prepregs 3 are, also in this second variant, arranged in a geometrically precise manner to preforms, or stacked, respectively, wherein now, however, the prepreg 3 is positioned in a centralized manner with the micro wire 2 in between. The arrangement of the prepregs 3 can be carried out manually or automatically, for example by means of a tape laying process or by means of a 3D-printer.
In a third step, here too, the preform for example is heated in a pressure-grouting tool to a processing temperature above the melting point of the plastic matrix 31, or of the prepreg 3, respectively, and pressure-grouted onto the end contour of the connecting rod 14 and cooled, wherein here too, the integrated micro wire 2 can already transmit in a wireless manner for the purpose of recording the manufacturing data relating to the pressure and the temperature of the connecting rod 14.
The variants shown and described in
Therein, a molding tool 4 is used, which is for example manufactured of steel or of another material, and which comprises two molded parts. One of the two molded parts forms a stamp 41, and together the molded parts form a cavity 42 with a quadratic cross-section. According to the second variant illustrated in
Subsequently, the preform is heated with the pressure-grouting tool 4 to a processing temperature above the melting point of the plastic matrix 31, or of the prepreg 3, respectively, and pressure-grouted onto the end contour of the connecting rod 14 by closing the two molded parts and subsequently cooled. The integrated micro wire 2 can already measure and, for the purpose of recording, transmit in a wireless manner, manufacturing data during the pressure-grouting process.
During the pressure-grouting process by means of the pressure-grouting tool 4, the transmitter 51 now generates, in a wireless manner, an electromagnetic excitation 53, which also covers the micro wire 2 arranged inside the connecting rod 14. Due to this excitation 53, a signal 54 is sent back from the micro wire 2, which is recorded in a for example oscillographic manner by the reading device 5 via the receiver 52. Due to the magnetoelasticity of the micro wire 2, the signal 54 therein is dependent on the pressure and the temperature, to which the connecting rod 14 and thus the micro wire 2 are subjected during the pressure-grouting process. Accordingly, based on the signal 54 received from the reading device 5, data with respect to pressure and temperature of the connecting rod 14 are collected.
These collected data are then transmitted by means of a cable transmission 61 or a wireless transmission 62 to the computing unit 6 for the purpose of subsequent analysis and recording.
In
The transmitter 51, in a wireless manner generates an electromagnetic excitation 53, which among others also affects the micro wire 2 present in the pedicle fixation system 1. Due to the excitation 53, the micro wire 2 emits a signal 54 back through the skin H, which is detected by the reading device 5 via the receiver 52. The signal 54 is, due to the magnetoelasticity of the micro wire 2, dependent on the mechanical loads and the temperature, which the connecting rod 14 and thus the micro wire 2 are subjected to. Accordingly, the reading device 5 can determine data relating to the mechanical load and the temperature of the connecting rod 14, based on the signal 54 received.
The data thereby determined are then transmitted by means of a cable transmission 61 or a wireless transmission 62 to the computing unit 6 for subsequent analysis. Based on the measured data, the physician or the medical personnel can for example adjust or terminate the treatment.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21215570.9 | Dec 2021 | EP | regional |
This application is a national stage application, filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371, of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2022/084161 filed Dec. 2, 2022, which claims the benefit of European Patent Application No. 21215570.9 filed Dec. 17, 2021, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/084161 | 12/2/2022 | WO |
