Hamburg University of Technology and PREMO cooperates in a development project on intelligent implants for osteosynthesis managed by the BG Unfallkrankenhaus (Trauma Center) Hamburg.

The main objective of the project is to monitor the healing process of fractures treated by osteosynthesis. For this purpose, the level of load acting on the implants is measured using a strain gauge. This provides the physician with a quantitative measure of the stiffness at the fracture site and makes prediction of fracture healing as well as rehabilitation control possible. Advantages of the new technique compared to well-established examination methods like X-ray and CT are high sensitivity and no radiation exposure.

The strain information from the gauge is translated to a digital signal using a microcontroller in a very small circuit. This signal is transferred out of the body using radio frequency communication (RFID). The miniaturized transponder coil on the circuit is provided by PREMO. This miniature glass-tube coil allows for easy integration into the small circuit. In this way, the system is fitted into the implant.


About PREMO
Premo Group was founded in 1962 and employs 500 people worldwide. The headquarters is located in Barcelona, Spain. A global network of sales offices and manufacturing centres guarantees fast and competent worldwide customer support and service.
The main competences are designing, manufacturing and supplying standard or custom made inductive components for the electronics market. A wide range of products as RFID transponder coils, EMC filters, current sensing components, planar transformers, and chokes cover most applications in the different market sectors.
www.grupopremo.com

About Hamburg University of Technology
The TUHH is one of Germany’s youngest universities.
Research fields at the Institute of Microsystems Technology are the development of sensors and micro systems for optics, medical devices and gas analysis.
www.tuhh.de/mst