BACK IN THE 16th century , broken bones were physically manipulated back to the correct orientation by a bone setter . Failing that , the local blacksmith would step in .
Thankfully , advances in medical treatments since the early 1900s have allowed surgeons to use metal implants in healthcare , typically to treat bone diseases including osteoarthritis and inflammatory rheumatoid arthritis , as well as in reconstruction therapy . Though a wellestablished technology , traditional implants often cause challenges for patients and surgeons . One area currently being developed is that of smart implants , which improve patient outcomes , bringing the technology into the modern age .
“ Implants can be smart in two ways , either by being additively manufactured to produce patient specific implants ( PSIs ) from computed tomography ( CT ) data , or by
Smart implants are a key focus for Renishaw
32 April 2018