Microfluidic force sensor has real feel for hip replacement surgery

摘要

Hip replacements could last longer following the development of a microfluidic force sensor that assists soft tissue balancing and correct positioning of the implant during surgery. Implant survival rates are 89 per cent after 15 years but drop to 58 per cent after 25 years. Furthermore, hip replacement patients are often younger and more active than in previous generations, and their implants need to survive higher stresses.