A study on a tiny sensor which can be implanted into orthopaedic patients was presented at the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting held in San Francisco this year.
The sensor is designed to provide important real time data of an orthopaedic patient. The diagnostic information can be collected from these implanted sensors instead of depending on invasive methods or x-rays.
The low cost sensor is used to provide accurate and effective information on post-operative diagnosis. The sensor can be lodged into a bone fracture or spinal implant for in vivo monitoring of temperature, pressure, motion, load and strain in the patients. In addition, the smart sensor can check for post-surgical complications and progress of the patients.
Assistant Professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an eminent researcher in the field of sensors, Dr. Eric H. Ledet explained that the sensors are tiny with a diameter of 4mm and a thickness of 0.5µm. He said that the sensor works without battery, is wireless and does not require telemetry inside the body. According to Ledet, the sensor information helps the physicians to track the progress of the patient.
Rebecca A. Wachs from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute stated that the sensors can be modified according to the nature of the implants to provide the required data.
The Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) is well known for its activities in the musculoskeletal research field and specializes in orthopaedics. The Journal of Orthopaedic Research from ORS and its annual meeting provides updates about orthopaedic research.