US 11,684,307 B2
Radiographic discernable sensors and orthopedic applications for same
Jeffrey Anker, Greenville, SC (US); Caleb Behrend, Pittsford, NY (US); and John Desjardins, Clemson, SC (US)
Assigned to Clemson University Research Foundation, Clemson, SC (US)
Filed by CLEMSON UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION, Clemson, SC (US)
Filed on Apr. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/856,477.
Application 16/856,477 is a continuation of application No. 15/751,623, granted, now 10,667,745, previously published as PCT/US2016/046707, filed on Aug. 12, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/204,111, filed on Aug. 12, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2020/0275879 A1, Sep. 3, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/107 (2006.01); G01L 1/24 (2006.01); G01L 1/25 (2006.01); A61B 6/12 (2006.01); A61B 6/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/72 (2006.01); A61B 17/80 (2006.01); G01L 19/08 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/4504 (2013.01) [A61B 5/0031 (2013.01); A61B 5/1071 (2013.01); A61B 6/12 (2013.01); A61B 6/505 (2013.01); A61B 17/72 (2013.01); A61B 17/80 (2013.01); G01L 1/24 (2013.01); G01L 1/25 (2013.01); G01L 19/086 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. 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.