Temperature sensing array for set screw infection

Abstract

A load sensing assembly for a spinal implant includes a set screw having a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw toward a second end of the set screw. The second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member. The load sensing assembly includes an antenna, an integrated circuit in communication with the antenna, where the integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and a strain gauge in connection with the integrated circuit. The strain gauge is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw.

1 . A surgical site monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of load sensing assemblies, wherein each load sensing assembly comprises:
 a set screw comprising a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw towards a second end of the set screw, wherein the second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member; 
 a first antenna; 
 a first integrated circuit in communication with the first antenna, wherein the first integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw; and 
 a temperature sensor in connection with the first integrated circuit, wherein the temperature sensor is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein temperature measurements from at least two temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are compared to one another to diagnose an infection at a surgical site. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are configured to collect temperature measurements within a patient, wherein the collected temperature measurements are localized to a surgical site. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an external monitor comprising:
 a second antenna; 
 a second integrated circuit in communication with the second antenna, wherein the second integrated circuit is positioned within the external monitor; and 
 one or more temperature sensors in connection with the second integrated circuit, wherein the one or more temperature sensors are located within the external monitor. 
   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the external monitor is a wearable patch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more temperature sensors are embedded in the external monitor. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein, to diagnose an infection at a surgical site, temperature measurements from the temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are compared to temperature measurements from the one or more temperature sensors of the external monitor. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more temperature sensors of the external monitor are configured to collect skin-based temperature measurements of a patient. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a thermometer configured to provide temperature measurements for an internal reference temperature of a patient. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein, to diagnose an infection at a surgical site, temperature measurements from the temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are compared to temperature measurements of the thermometer. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first integrated circuit comprises memory, wherein the first integrated circuit is configured to:
 store one or more measurements made by the temperature sensor in the memory; and   transmit the one or more temperature measurements to a reader when the reader is in proximity to the first integrated circuit.   
     
     
         12 . A surgical site monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a plurality of load sensing assemblies, wherein each load sensing assembly comprises:
 a set screw comprising a central opening that extends from a first end of the set screw towards a second end of the set screw, wherein the second end of the set screw is configured to engage with an anchoring member, 
 a first antenna, 
 a first integrated circuit in communication with the first antenna, wherein the first integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the set screw, and 
 a temperature sensor in connection with the first integrated circuit, wherein the temperature sensor is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw; and 
   an external monitor comprising:
 a second antenna, 
 a second integrated circuit in communication with the second antenna, wherein the second integrated circuit is positioned within the external monitor, and 
 one or more temperature sensors in connection with the second integrated circuit, wherein the one or more temperature sensors of the external monitor are located within the external monitor. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the external monitor is a wearable patch. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein, to diagnose an infection at a surgical site, temperature measurements from the temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are compared to temperature measurements from the one or more temperature sensors of the external monitor. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more temperature sensors of the external monitor are configured to collect skin-based temperature measurements of a patient. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature sensors of the plurality of load sensing assemblies are configured to collect temperature measurements within a patient, wherein the collected temperature measurements are localized to a surgical site. 
     
     
         17 . A surgical site monitoring system, the system comprising:
 a first load sensing assembly comprising:
 a first set screw comprising a central opening that extends from a first end of the first set screw towards a second end of the first set screw, wherein the second end of the first set screw is configured to engage with a first anchoring member, 
 a first antenna, 
 a first integrated circuit in communication with the first antenna, wherein the first integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the first set screw, and 
 a first temperature sensor in connection with the first integrated circuit, wherein the first temperature sensor is located within the central opening of the first set screw in proximity to the second end of the first set screw; and 
   a second load sensing assembly comprising:
 a second set screw comprising a central opening that extends from a third end of the second set screw towards a fourth end of the second set screw, wherein the second end of the second set screw is configured to engage with a second anchoring member, 
 a second antenna, 
 a second integrated circuit in communication with the second antenna, wherein the second integrated circuit is positioned within the central opening of the second set screw, and 
 a second temperature sensor in connection with the first integrated circuit, wherein the second temperature sensor is located within the central opening of the set screw in proximity to the second end of the set screw. 
   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one temperature measurement of the first temperature sensor is compared with the at least one temperature measurement of the second temperature sensor to diagnose an infection at a surgical site. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the first temperature sensor is configured to collect temperature measurements within a patient, and wherein the second temperature sensor is configured to collect temperature measurements within the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the collected temperature measurements are localized to a surgical site.