# US 10,869,700 B2 · Fiber-reinforced composite orthopaedic device having embedded electronics > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,869,700 B2 - Document ID: US10869700B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/291,866 - Filed: 2019-03-04 - Published: 2019-06-27 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-15 - Assignees: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Applicants: Smith & Nephew, Inc. - Inventors: Sied W. Janna; James K. Rains; Nicholas S. Ritchey; Darren James Wilson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869700B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/72: Intramedullary devices, e.g. pins or nails - A61B 90/06: {Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for} - A61F 5/05: for immobilising (A61F5/042 takes precedence) - A61B 17/80: Cortical plates {, i.e. bone plates; Instruments for holding or positioning cortical plates, or for compressing bones attached to cortical plates} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/0003: {of parts of the instruments} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61F 2002/4666: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract In one general aspect, an orthopaedic fixation device includes an inner core and shaft formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. A sensing element is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fixation device, comprising: an inner body; an outer body formed of a multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite, the outer body including a portal disposed in the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite, the portal extending through an outer surface of the outer body; and a plurality of wires embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite, the plurality of wires accessible via the portal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires extend longitudinally through the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires are located between individual layers of the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, further comprising a sensing element positioned within the portal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, further comprising one or more receiving devices for measuring, recording, or analyzing data received from the sensing element, the one or more receiving devices being connected to the plurality of wires. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, wherein the sensing element comprises one of a copper wire, a biocompatible-grade barium titanate ceramic, a PZT ceramic, and a polyimide flexible circuit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, wherein the sensing element comprises a wire arranged such that loads on the fixation device result in a change in the electrical resistance of the wire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, wherein the sensing element comprises two separate circuits. ### Claim 9 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, wherein the sensing element comprises a circuit that has a resonant frequency that varies in response to loading of the fixation device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The fixation device of claim 9, wherein the circuit comprises a pair of conductive coils, the conductive coils being operable to wirelessly transmit radiofrequency signals. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The fixation device of claim 10, wherein the pair of conductive coils are operable to generate radiofrequency signals indicative of loading on the fixation device without a power supply embedded in the fixation device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 4) The fixation device of claim 4, further comprising one or more conductive coils coupled to the sensing element, the one or more conductive coils being configured to wirelessly receive energy from an energy source and to power the sensing element using the received energy. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, wherein the portal includes a set of electrical contacts adapted and configured to connect to one of a strain gauge and an accelerometer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, further comprising an RFID chip. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fixation device of claim 14, wherein the RFID chip is embedded within the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The fixation device of claim 14, wherein the RFID chip is positioned between individual layers of the multi-layered, fiber-reinforced composite. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The fixation device of claim 14, further comprising a pocket formed in the fixation device, the RFID chip being positioned within the pocket. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The fixation device of claim 14, wherein the RFID chip is coupled to a sensing element positioned within the portal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wires terminates at the portal, each of the plurality of wires comprising an electrical contact accessible through the portal such that one or more measuring devices can be connected thereto. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The fixation device of claim 1, further comprising one or more conductive coils coupled to a battery, the one or more conductive coils being configured to wirelessly receive energy from an energy source and to charge the battery using the received energy.