Dorsal spinal instrumentation including pedicle screws and rod constructs are frequently used in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders [1]. Pullout or loosening of the screws is however a major issue leading to instrumente failure, especially in osteoporotic spines. Literature shows an incidence of pedicle screw loosening of up to 60 percent in patients with osteoporosis [3,4]. With osteoporosis being an emerging problem worldwide screw pullout and loosening therefore describes an important clinical concern [2]. Although screw loosening is considered a major complication and oftentimes reason for post-operative pain, the radiological diagnosability is difficult. The idea of the present project is to develop a “smart pedicle” screw that is capable to communicate from inside the body to the outside and let the surgeon’s measure if loosening occurred. Motion between screw and vertebral body is detected and transferred over an inductive interface.
Tasks:
- Development of a resistance-based measuring technique to detect relative movement between screw and vertebrae.
- Development of an LC-resonator for measurement and signal transfer.
- Testing and dimensioning of the electronic setup.
Requirements:
• Background in electrotechnic
• Interest in medical applications.
• Ability to work independently
• Intrinsic motivation to work on a project that supports surgeons in their work of treating patients
1. Rajaee, S. S. & Delamarter, R. B. Spinal Fusion in the United States. 37, 67–76 (2012).
2. Quality, P. B., Dewald, C. J. & Stanley, T. Instrumentation-Related Complications of Multilevel Fusions for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Over Age 65 Surgical Considerations and Treatment Options in Patients With. 31, 144–151 (2006).
3. Bredow, J. et al. Predictive validity of preoperative CT scans and the risk of pedicle screw loosening in spinal surgery. Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg. 136, 1063–1067 (2016).
4. Galbusera, F. et al. Pedicle screw loosening: a clinically relevant complication? Eur. Spine J. 24, 1005–1016 (2015).
Dorsal spinal instrumentation including pedicle screws and rod constructs are frequently used in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders [1]. Pullout or loosening of the screws is however a major issue leading to instrumente failure, especially in osteoporotic spines. Literature shows an incidence of pedicle screw loosening of up to 60 percent in patients with osteoporosis [3,4]. With osteoporosis being an emerging problem worldwide screw pullout and loosening therefore describes an important clinical concern [2]. Although screw loosening is considered a major complication and oftentimes reason for post-operative pain, the radiological diagnosability is difficult. The idea of the present project is to develop a “smart pedicle” screw that is capable to communicate from inside the body to the outside and let the surgeon’s measure if loosening occurred. Motion between screw and vertebral body is detected and transferred over an inductive interface.
Tasks:
- Development of a resistance-based measuring technique to detect relative movement between screw and vertebrae.
- Development of an LC-resonator for measurement and signal transfer.
- Testing and dimensioning of the electronic setup.
Requirements:
• Background in electrotechnic
• Interest in medical applications.
• Ability to work independently
• Intrinsic motivation to work on a project that supports surgeons in their work of treating patients
1. Rajaee, S. S. & Delamarter, R. B. Spinal Fusion in the United States. 37, 67–76 (2012). 2. Quality, P. B., Dewald, C. J. & Stanley, T. Instrumentation-Related Complications of Multilevel Fusions for Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Over Age 65 Surgical Considerations and Treatment Options in Patients With. 31, 144–151 (2006). 3. Bredow, J. et al. Predictive validity of preoperative CT scans and the risk of pedicle screw loosening in spinal surgery. Arch. Orthop. Trauma Surg. 136, 1063–1067 (2016). 4. Galbusera, F. et al. Pedicle screw loosening: a clinically relevant complication? Eur. Spine J. 24, 1005–1016 (2015).
The scope of this project is to develop and test a prototype for a “smart pediclescrew” that is capable to sense screw loosening.
The scope of this project is to develop and test a prototype for a “smart pediclescrew” that is capable to sense screw loosening.
Please contact:
Jonas Widmer (jonas.widmer@hest.ethz.ch)
(no paid interships can be provided)
Please contact: Jonas Widmer (jonas.widmer@hest.ethz.ch) (no paid interships can be provided)