In a study published in the “IEEE Sensors Journal” on Sept. 25, 2020, scientists developed a sensor that can be integrated in dental implants to monitor bone growth. This avoids the need for multiple X-rays of the jaw.
Presently, dentists use X-rays to observe jaw health after a patient gets a dental implant. Dental X-rays require low doses of radiation, and we all know that undergoing too many X-rays isn’t good for human health. This new sensor, on the other hand, not only passively monitors bone growth but also reduces the frequency with which patients neet X-rays after receiving dental implants. This reduced need for X-rays is a main motivation for designing the sensor.
Professor Alireza Hassanzadeh and two graduate students, all from the Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran, are the scientists behind this innovative creation. The sensor monitors bone growth by measuring the changes in capacitance. The group developed two designs: one for short-term monitoring and another for the long term.
These sensors were created using poly-ether-ether-ketone and titanium. Those materials are integrated into the dental implant through microfabrication techniques. The sensors consume very little energy, have a high information-processing rate and perform steadily. Additionally, the sensors do not need any batteries and usually start passively monitoring changes in the surrounding electrical field as soon as the dental implant has been embedded into the jaw.
Hassanzadeh explains that as the bone forms around the sensor and dental implant, the capacitance of the sensor changes. This indicates how, over a period of time, the surrounding bone growth changes. The changes noted in capacitance as a result of bone growth are then communicated to a reader device, which sends the measurements to a data logger through a wireless inductive link.
In the study, the scientists tested the sensors in the jaw bone and femur of a cow. Hassanzadeh states that their findings showed that the sensor’s capacitance value was directly affected by the amount of bone growth surrounding the dental implant.
Hassanzadeh also noted that the sensor needed to be optimized for different implant sizes and shapes and that clinical trials needed to be performed with different types of dental implant patients in order to gain additional data. He added that the research team planned to commercialize the sensor after it had received approval from the necessary authorities, including the FDA, and after additional clinical tests were carried out.
One interesting biomedical technology company that you should watch is Processa Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: PCSA). The company focuses on identifying unmet medical needs for which there isevidence of viable solutions. The company then develops products to address those unmet needs.
About BioMedWire
BioMedWire (BMW) is a bio-med news and content distribution company that provides (1) access to a network of wire services via InvestorWire to reach all target markets, industries and demographics in the most effective manner possible, (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ news outlets (3), enhanced press release services to ensure maximum impact, (4) social media distribution via the Investor Brand Network (IBN) to nearly 2 million followers, (5) a full array of corporate communications solutions, and (6) a total news coverage solution with BMW Prime. As a multifaceted organization with an extensive team of contributing journalists and writers, BMW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that desire to reach a wide audience of investors, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in today’s market, BMW brings its clients unparalleled visibility, recognition and brand awareness. BMW is where news, content and information converge.
To receive SMS text alerts from BioMedWire, text “STOCKS” to 77948 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)
For more information, please visit https://www.biomedwire.com
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
BioMedWire (BMW)
San Francisco, California
www.biomedwire.com
415.949.5050 Office
Editor@BioMedWire.com
BioMedWire is part of the InvestorBrandNetwork.
