A patient has been fitted with a new kind of
artificial knee replacement at the Scripps Clinic in the US.
The implant, which has been fitted for investigational purposes, contains sensors developed by MicroStrain that transmit information on twisting, bending, compressive and shearing loads across the knee to an external computer.
The data should provide vital information for researchers who are developing new designs and techniques for knee implants.
In addition, analysis of the data will produce information that could guide postoperative physiotherapy, thereby helping to improve the quality and effectiveness of knee replacements in the future.
Steve Arms, president of MicroStrain, said that the company was excited to contribute its wireless measurement technology to the research.
"Our expertise in multi-channel strain sensing, power management, hermetic packaging, and digital telemetry have allowed the realisation of this revolutionary new smart total knee replacement," he commented.
© Adfero Ltd
Knee surgery news : 9/11/2006
