Micro-Strain Responsive Near-Infrared Mechanoluminescence for Potential Nondestructive Artificial Joint Stress...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Solid State Physics

Background:

• Joint replacement surgeries face challenges with patient dissatisfaction and revision needs.
• In-situ monitoring of stress stability in artificial joints is crucial for postoperative evaluation.
• Mechanoluminescence (ML) offers potential for bio-stress monitoring but faces limitations like emission wavelength and sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a highly strain-responsive mechanoluminescent material for in-situ bio-stress monitoring.
• To overcome the limitations of existing ML materials for biomedical applications.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of using ML for real-time stress imaging in biological tissues.

Main Methods:

• Incorporation of Sb³⁺ ions into Sr₃Sn₂O₇ crystals to create a novel ML material (Sr₃Sn₁.₉₈Sb₀.₀₂O₆.₉₉).
• Evaluation of ML signal detection under low compressive strain (50 µε).
• Testing ML signal penetration through porcine tissue after red light pre-irradiation.
• Real-time stress imaging through porcine skin during joint bending.

Main Results:

• The developed Sr₃Sn₁.₉₈Sb₀.₀₂O₆.₉₉ film exhibits detectable ML signals under low compressive strain.
• ML signals remained detectable through 15 mm of porcine tissue after red light pre-irradiation.
• Successful real-time stress imaging was achieved through 4 mm of porcine skin.

Conclusions:

• A novel, highly strain-responsive ML material was successfully synthesized by incorporating Sb³⁺ ions into Sr₃Sn₂O₇.
• The material demonstrates potential for non-invasive, in-situ bio-stress monitoring through biological tissues.
• This work provides a new framework for designing high-performance ML materials for artificial joint and tissue applications.