Summary of the work programme
Based on the autonomous energy supply for electrically active implants established in the first funding period, research will be conducted on utilisation of integrated sensors and application of electrical stimulation. The amount of generated electrical energy will be correlated with a given mechanical load, achieving an activity sensor for total hip replacements. For therapeutic local increase of bone density, the energy-harvesting unit will be placed in a revision hip stem, and placement of stimulation electrodes will be investigated. Monitoring of both implant fixation and bone quality in the periprosthetic volume will be examined using electric impedance spectroscopy as well as structure-borne sound measurements of the implant-bone-compound.
Institution
Rostock University Medical Center
Department of Orthopaedics
Doberaner Straße 142
18057 Rostock