IIT-Hyd researchers developing ‘smart’ implant to detect failures
Dr. Saket Asthana (L), Head Professor, Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory, Physics Dept, IIT-H, with his... Read MoreHYDERABAD: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H) are developing new technologies for biocompatible implants that will enable doctors to detect premature failures or malfunctions without a surgery.
In many knee, hip and other bone replacements surgeries, expected durability of the implant is up to 20 years. In many cases, implant fails to suit the body fluids and organs resulting in premature failures. Currently, the existing solution to detect such implant failures is reverse surgery, which is more expensive and painful than first time surgery. However, the IIT-H researchers are working on a solution that can detect malfunctioning implant without surgery. For this purpose, they have come up with a bio-compatible implant with sensing property and high hardness.
“We have used piezoelectric and ferroelectric ceramic materials in the implants. These materials have sensing properties. When you apply stress during movements, the implant will generate electric signals that can be useful in monitoring,” said Saket Asthana, head professor, advanced functional materials laboratory, department of physics, IIT-H.
The research, which has been recently published in the Journal of American Ceramic Society, intends to eventually come up with a monitoring system that will help doctors detect malfunctions without performing a surgery. “The material works in such a way that the mechanical energy can be converted in electrical energy. To avoid reverse surgery, an eco-friendly and hard ferroelectric material can be an effective choice as an implant instead of other available ceramic or steel- based implants,” said Asthana, adding that extensive research in collaboration with medical and electrical experts is required to understand feasibility of the materials.
Currently, many orthopedic surgeons prefer ceramic implants over traditional metal-and-plastic implants because deterioration of metals and plastic within the body can lead to the gradual buildup of debris in tissues, leading to serious aftereffects. However, IIT-H researchers believe that use of piezoelectric ceramics in implant applications will enables non-invasive monitoring and diagnosis.
In many knee, hip and other bone replacements surgeries, expected durability of the implant is up to 20 years. In many cases, implant fails to suit the body fluids and organs resulting in premature failures. Currently, the existing solution to detect such implant failures is reverse surgery, which is more expensive and painful than first time surgery. However, the IIT-H researchers are working on a solution that can detect malfunctioning implant without surgery. For this purpose, they have come up with a bio-compatible implant with sensing property and high hardness.
“We have used piezoelectric and ferroelectric ceramic materials in the implants. These materials have sensing properties. When you apply stress during movements, the implant will generate electric signals that can be useful in monitoring,” said Saket Asthana, head professor, advanced functional materials laboratory, department of physics, IIT-H.
The research, which has been recently published in the Journal of American Ceramic Society, intends to eventually come up with a monitoring system that will help doctors detect malfunctions without performing a surgery. “The material works in such a way that the mechanical energy can be converted in electrical energy. To avoid reverse surgery, an eco-friendly and hard ferroelectric material can be an effective choice as an implant instead of other available ceramic or steel- based implants,” said Asthana, adding that extensive research in collaboration with medical and electrical experts is required to understand feasibility of the materials.
Currently, many orthopedic surgeons prefer ceramic implants over traditional metal-and-plastic implants because deterioration of metals and plastic within the body can lead to the gradual buildup of debris in tissues, leading to serious aftereffects. However, IIT-H researchers believe that use of piezoelectric ceramics in implant applications will enables non-invasive monitoring and diagnosis.
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