Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Loading device for measuring stiffness of structural member over time, monitoring system, and method thereof
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Application No.: US16460249Application Date: 2019-07-02
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Publication No.: US10674954B2Publication Date: 2020-06-09
- Inventor: Christian M. Puttlitz , Kevin M. Labus
- Applicant: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- Applicant Address: US CO Fort Collins
- Assignee: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- Current Assignee: COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
- Current Assignee Address: US CO Fort Collins
- Agency: Rossi, Kimms & McDowell LLP
- Main IPC: A61B5/00
- IPC: A61B5/00 ; G01N3/00 ; G01D5/20 ; A61B5/05 ; G01B7/16 ; G01N3/06 ; G01N3/20 ; G01N27/90 ; G01N33/483 ; H01Q9/16 ; G01N3/08

Abstract:
A loading device, a monitoring system, and a method thereof can measure stiffness of a structural member (SM), such as a bone, and monitor progress or property over time. The loading device includes two types of displacement sensors, one type being an antenna. As the SM, which is in a magnetic or electromagnetic field and electromagnetically coupled to the antenna without contact, undergoes displacement under known loads, characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM change over time due to the displacement of the SM. The shift in the characteristics of the electromagnetic field coupling between the antenna and the SM can be used to determine the displacement of the SM. Based on the changes in the displacement over time, diagnosis of the SM being monitored over an evaluation period can be made.
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