Inductively Coupled Telemetry in Spinal Fusion Application Using Capacitive Strain Sensors

Lin, Ji-Tzuoh; Jackson, Douglas; Aebersold, Julia; Walsh, Kevin M.; Naber, John; Hnat, William P.

doi:10.5772/22984

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 14 publications

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“…Current technology (i.e., radiography-based imaging techniques, wired load cells, active, and passive sensors attached to the spine fixation rods) is limited and does not have the specificity nor the sensitivity to determine spinal fusion. [2,[15][16][17] In current commercialized devices, the progress of the fusion has limited means of confirmation. In most instances, follow-up radiographic observations including the use of plain film X-ray or dynamic flexion extension films may be ordered.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patient‐Specific Self‐Powered Metamaterial Implants for Detecting Bone Healing Progress

Barri

Zhang

Swink

et al. 2022

Adv Funct Materials

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There is an unmet need for developing a new class of smart medical implants with novel properties and advanced functionalities. Here, the concept of “self‐aware implants” is proposed to enable the creation of a new generation of multifunctional metamaterial implantable devices capable of responding to their environment, empowering themselves, and self‐monitoring their condition. These functionalities are achieved via integrating nano energy harvesting and mechanical metamaterial design paradigms. Various aspects of the proposed concept are highlighted by developing proof‐of‐concept interbody spinal fusion cage implants with self‐sensing, self‐powering, and mechanical tunability features. Bench‐top testing is performed using synthetic biomimetic and human cadaver spine models to evaluate the electrical and mechanical performance of the developed patient‐specific metamaterial implants. The results show that the self‐aware cage implants can diagnose bone healing process using the voltage signals generated internally through their built‐in contact‐electrification mechanisms. The voltage and current generated by the implants under the axial compression forces of the spine models reach 9.2 V and 4.9 nA, respectively. The metamaterial implants can serve as triboelectric nanogenerators to empower low‐power electronics. The capacity of the proposed technology to revolutionize the landscape of implantable devices and to achieve better surgical outcomes is further discussed.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%