Wireless chips and probes could monitor orthopedic implants

Image 1 of 1

Ortho-Tag is a system in which information regarding orthopedic implants is stored on a chip attached to the implant, and can be read with a handheld external probe (Photo: University of Pittsburgh)

Article Summary

Over the years, New Jersey orthopedic surgeon Lee Berger became frustrated with the lack of information that patients had on prosthetic devices that had been implanted within their own knees, hips, feet, or other parts of their skeleton. In order to gather data such as the size, model, age, serial numbers or manufacturers of these implants, either X-rays or extensive paper trail hunts were required. His new product, the Ortho-Tag, is designed to address this problem. All of the vital data regarding an implant could be obtained by placing a probe against the patient's skin, plus information on the health of the surrounding body tissue would be provided.

« Back to Wireless chips and probes could monitor orthopedic implants