Methods for Detecting Osteolytic Conditions in the Body

Abstract

Methods and systems for detecting a biological response indicative of osteolysis or preconditions in bone.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of detecting a condition of a bone comprising:
 disposing a sensor in relationship with the bone suitable for detecting at least one condition of the bone selected from temperature, pH, a presence of inflammatory cytokines, a presence of MMPs, a presence of calcium ions and a presence of phosphate ions;   obtaining data from the sensor representative of the selected condition; and   displaying the data in a human intelligible form.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the selected condition is present in the bone. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the condition is adjacent to the bone. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 obtaining a baseline representative of the selected condition; 
 obtaining continuing data from the sensor representative of the selected condition; and 
 comparing the continuing data to the baseline. 
 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 disposing at least one control sensor in relationship with the bone at an area remote from the sensor; 
 obtaining data from the at least one control sensor representative of the selected condition at the remote area; and 
 comparing the data obtained from the sensor and the data obtained from the at least one control sensor. 
 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29  further comprising:
 comparing the data obtained from the sensor on a selected condition with a control for the selected condition. 
 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the sensor is disposed with the bone by engagement of a first end of the sensor in the bone. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the sensor comprises a second end, which is engaged with an implant. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the sensor is disposed on an external surface of an implant, and the external surface of the implant is disposed directly adjacent to the bone. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the displaying of the data occurs in vivo. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the displaying of the data occurs ex vivo.