US 11,937,896 B1
Orthopedic implants with improved sensors
Sied W. Janna, Memphis, TN (US)
Assigned to Smith & Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN (US), part interest; Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Zug (CH), part interest; and Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited, Singapore (SG), part interest
Filed by Smith & Nephew, Inc., Memphis, TN (US); Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics AG, Zug (CH); and Smith & Nephew Asia Pacific Pte. Limited, Singapore (SG)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/851,408.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/846,078, filed on May 10, 2019.
Int. Cl. A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/11 (2006.01); A61B 5/145 (2006.01); G16H 10/60 (2018.01); G16H 40/63 (2018.01); G16H 40/67 (2018.01); A61B 5/0205 (2006.01); A61B 5/026 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 5/0031 (2013.01) [A61B 5/1117 (2013.01); A61B 5/14546 (2013.01); A61B 5/4094 (2013.01); A61B 5/6878 (2013.01); G16H 10/60 (2018.01); G16H 40/63 (2018.01); G16H 40/67 (2018.01); A61B 5/02055 (2013.01); A61B 5/026 (2013.01); A61B 5/14539 (2013.01); A61B 5/4812 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
providing a first sensor, configured as a primary sensor in an active mode, and a second sensor, configured as a non-primary sensor in a standby mode, each associated with an orthopedic implant, wherein each of the first sensor and the second sensor includes an internal power source,
providing a controller operative to:
detect a triggering event via the primary sensor, and
cause the internal power source of the non-primary sensor to transition from the standby mode to the active mode responsive to the triggering event being detected by the primary sensor;
providing the internal power source of the first sensor in the active mode and the internal power source of the second sensor in the standby mode;
detecting, by the first sensor, the triggering event;
activating, in response to the triggering event, the internal power source of the second sensor from the standby mode; and
detecting, by the second sensor, a characteristic associated with the orthopedic implant.