A tiny wireless device to monitor bones health

A team of engineers and physicians has developed an ultra-thin wireless computer that attaches directly to the surface of bone. Such devices may someday provide doctors with a new way to accurately monitor bone health in patients, while also potentially opening up new and safer techniques for stimulating bone growth.

Researchers designed the device to be as thin as a piece of paper. This ensured that the device was thin enough to avoid irritating surrounding tissue or become dislodged during muscle movement and also be flexible enough to contort to the bone.

Bone is in a constant state of remodelling. Due to this, researchers developed an adhesive that contains Calcium particles similar to bone.

The tiny device does not have battery at all. Instead, the team utilized the same technology used in smartphones for contactless payments: near-field communication (NFC), which solved their power problem and also allowed them to communicate with the device. 

The device is also equipped with components capable of measuring bone strength and healing and deformation and stimulating bone growth.

Scientists have shown that monitoring bone temperature has potential for diagnosing the stage in the healing process. Sustained periods of high temperature could suggest complications in the healing. Similarly, if a fracture site has a premature decrease in temperature, it could indicate a sign of interruption of the healing process. 

So, the researchers attached a thermistor to measure temperature at the site of implantation. Being able to measure the temperature on the bone itself provides more precise analysis of the healing process.