Description
In this presentation, Bernard Van Duren discusses the development of smart sensor technology for knee arthroplasty, emphasizing its potential benefits in both short-term and long-term applications. He explains how smart knees can enhance surgical precision, rehabilitation, and post-operative monitoring, detecting issues like loosening and infection. Discussing the limitations of current smart implant technology, he details a new approach involving an advanced sensor module embedded in the polyethylene component of knee replacements. This module is self-powered, features onboard memory and processing, and facilitates two-way communication via Bluetooth. Following years of rigorous testing, the technology has shown promising results in accurately measuring movement, force, and temperature, in addition to effective data communication. The design maintains the original functionality of knee implants while adding more data-driven insights to aid in patient care. Van Duren concludes by acknowledging collaborators and expressing openness to inquiries about the technology.
DOI: 10.1302/3114-230244