PI’s: Nick Willett
In pediatric populations it is challenging to monitor the success of a bone fusion procedure. The objective of this project was to develop Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors that will measure local mechanical strain as a readout for bone fusion progression, such as a spinal implant. Established sensor technology was re-engineered for optimal size and sensitivity in a preclinical small animal model of bone repair. Long-term outcomes from these studies will establish the ability of the strain sensor to monitor bone fusion. This minimally invasive monitoring system would let doctors evaluate the progress of a spinal fusion in pediatric patients without costly imaging techniques which expose the patient to unnecessary radiation.
Klosterhoff, B.S., Tsang, M., She, D., Ong, K.G., Allen, M.G., Willett, N.J., Guldberg, R.E., “Implantable Sensors for Regenerative Medicine”, Journal of Biomechanical Engineering, 139(2), 2017.
