Real-Time Diagnostics for Orthopedic Implants

An electronic sensor module, which can be embedded into various orthopedic implants, could provide real-time reporting on their condition.

The OrthoSensor Knee Trial device is a customized, low-power, miniaturized system designed to integrate within a surgical workflow, eliminating the need for expensive equipment. The technology platform includes embedded sensor electronics and application specific integrated circuitry (ASIC), which provides data via wireless radio frequency (RF) telemetry to be displayed on a graphic user interface (GUI). The device is capable of housing numerous sensor configurations and provides remote, real-time monitoring of a range of sensed parameters such as kinematic and force data.


The sensors monitor changes in many physical properties, including change in load, density, motion, heat, viscosity, and material interfaces. This information is valuable for real-time, quantifiable, intraoperative use as well as long-term disease management, helping to optimize the delivery and maintenance of orthopedic implants, as well as reduce misalignment and poor soft tissue imbalance during knee arthroplasty procedures. The device integrates seamlessly within the surgical workflow environment, and is available with multiple intraoperative and implantable product configurations.

The OrthoSensor Knee Trial device is a product of OrthoSensor (Sunrise, FL, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Initial use will be customized for unicompartmental, bicompartmental, tricompartmental, and revision knee arthroplasty. The surgeons will be able to see the absolute loads on the knee and determine the exact center of loading through the joint’s full range of motion. Eventually the technology is expected to be applied to spine, hip arthroplasty, total joint reconstruction, and osteoporosis treatments.

“Our belief is that the future of orthopedics is moving from mechanics to more electronics - the use of microelectronics sensor to drive sensor-assisted surgery and remote monitoring,” said Jay Pierce, CEO of OrthoSensor. “We’re harnessing the convergence of orthopedic devices, technology, and the Internet to form this category of intelligent devices.”

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