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UA researchers develop wireless device to monitor bone health

A team of Arizona researchers has developed a device that can monitor bone health by implanting a wireless device directly to bones. 

The battery-less device can measure temperature, strain and stimulation with high precision.

The computer allows doctors to monitor the health of a bone after a fracture, but also can be used to watch bones for chronic conditions like osteoporosis. 


Senior co-author of the study Philipp Gutruf says because bones are living and always growing new cells researchers had to develop a way to keep the instrument attached. 

“We used this special coating of particles that is of a similar structure like your bone, and that then allows the bone to grow to the device. So we permanently grow the device onto the surface of the bone," Gutruf said. 

The device is not yet approved for humans, but the researchers believe the technology could expand to more than just the bone.

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Greg Hahne started as a news intern at KJZZ in 2020 and returned as a field correspondent in 2021. He learned his love for radio by joining Arizona State University's Blaze Radio, where he worked on the production team.