Conformable and robust microfluidic force sensors to enable precision joint replacement surgery

Materials & Design

Sohini Kar-Narayan¹  Vikas Khanduja²  Jehangir Cama³  Qingshen Jing⁴  Alizée Pace⁴  Tom Wade⁴  Fabian Bor⁴  Liam Ives⁴ 

[1] College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Harrison Building, University of Exeter, North Park Road, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK;Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK;Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK;Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, 27 Charles Babbage Road, Cambridge CB3 0FS, UK;

关键词: Microfluidics;    Force sensor;    Total hip replacement;    Additive manufacturing;    Orthopaedic surgery;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Balancing forces within weight-bearing joints such as the hip during joint replacement is essential for implant longevity. Minimising implant failure and the corresponding need for expensive and difficult revision surgery is vital to both improve the quality of life of the patient and lighten the burden on overstretched healthcare systems. However, balancing forces during total hip replacements is currently subjective and entirely dependent on surgical skill, as there are no sensors currently on the market that are capable of providing quantitative force feedback within the small and complex geometry of the hip joint. Here, we solve this unmet clinical need by presenting a thin and conformable microfluidic force sensor, which is compatible with the standard surgical procedure. The sensors are fabricated via additive manufacturing, using a combination of 3D and aerosol-jet printing. We optimised the design using finite element modelling, then incorporated and calibrated our sensors in a 3D printed model hip implant. Using a bespoke testing rig, we demonstrated high sensitivity at typical forces experienced following implantation of hip replacements. We anticipate that these sensors will aid soft tissue balancing and implant positioning, thereby increasing the longevity of hip replacements. These sensors thus represent a powerful new surgical tool for a range of orthopaedic procedures where balancing forces is crucial.

【 授权许可】

Unknown