The implanted electrical resistance strain gauge: in vitro studies on data integrity

The aim of this research is to investigate, and thus counter, the adverse effects of tissue fluid ingress on the performance of the electrical resistance strain gauge when used in ascertaining in vivo loading on a spinal implant. Moisture absorption has been minimized by adopting maximum metallic coverage in a package comprising stainless steel foil on vacuum-injected pacemaker grade epoxide. In a simulation of the implanted environment, cyclic strain wet endurance testing in saline suggests that, in the body, the fall in indicated quasi-dynamic strain would be less than 1.5% at 24 weeks post-operation (the longevity needed to span adequately the bony fusion phase). This implies that stiffening of the fusion mass will be deducible to a similar accuracy (from stepped-load exercises), in which creep is a secondary effect. However, crucial information (from quasi-static (passive) studies) regarding remodelling and load-sharing processes would be subject to a total signal error (primarily due to grid corrosion) in excess of 16% by 24 weeks, since long-term drifts are not inherently cancelled. Signal compensation is therefore additionally required, and an approximate empirical characterization of total error versus time has been derived.