Radiographic discernable sensors and orthopedic applications for same
AssigneeClemson University Research Foundation
InventorsJeffrey Anker, Caleb Behrend, John Desjardins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Implantable sensors for determining bone health that can be utilized in conjunction with orthopedic implants are described. The sensors can include passive strain gauges or passive chemical sensors that can be read by radiographic imaging techniques. Sensors can be affixed to implantable support devices so as to non-invasively monitor the effect of load on the implant; for instance, to provide a quantitative assessment of when a fracture is sufficiently healed to allow safe weight-bearing upon the limb. Alternatively, sensors can monitor the health of a local implant area; for instance, to monitor the implant area of early stage infection or healing of a fusion procedure.
Claims20
A spinal orthopedic device comprising an implantable strain sensor comprising an indicator, the indicator including a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for direct or indirect fixation to the spinal orthopedic device, the second end comprising a first radiographically opaque material, the sensor further comprising a scale comprising a second radiographically opaque material, the scale being located in conjunction with the second end, wherein the strain sensor is a passive sensor such that a location of the second end with respect to the scale is discernible via X-ray imaging with no active interrogation of the first or second radiographically opaque materials.
An orthopedic fixation plate comprising an implantable strain sensor comprising an indicator, the indicator including a first end and a second end, the first end being configured for direct or indirect fixation to the orthopedic fixation plate, the second end comprising a first radiographically opaque material, the sensor further comprising a scale comprising a second radiographically opaque material, the scale being located in conjunction with the second end, wherein the strain sensor is a passive sensor such that a location of the second end with respect to the scale is discernible via X-ray imaging with no active interrogation of the first or second radiographically opaque materials.
A spinal orthopedic device comprising an implantable chemical sensor comprising an indicator attached to a surface of the spinal orthopedic device, the indicator including an analyte-sensitive material and a radiographically opaque component configured for movement in response to a dimensional change in the analyte-sensitive material, wherein the chemical sensor is a passive sensor such that the radiographically opaque component is discernible via X-ray imaging with no active interrogation of the radiographically opaque component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.