Laser Direct Write Passive Sensors for Smart Orthopedic Implants Base on Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone (PEEK) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced (CFR)-PEEK

To monitor bone healing wirelessly on Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and Carbon fiber reinforced (CFR)-PEEK orthopedic implants, a laser-direct writing technique was utilized to fabricate a sensor on it. The split ring resonators (SRRs) pattern was written on the orthopedic implant as the strain sensor, read wirelessly by another antenna. The conductivity of the laser-written layer was up to 30,000 S/m. The sensitivity of the SRR sensor on the CFR-PEEK orthopedic plate was ~500 MHz/ε. In vivo, the biocompatibility and mechanical support of the PEEK plate with the sensor were proved. A strain sensor written by laser on PEEK and CFR-PEEK was feasible for orthopedic implants.