# 3D printed resonant-enhanced sensors (PRES) for total joint arthroplasties

> **NIH NIH R21** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $605,800

## Abstract

Project Summary
The ability to noninvasively acquire longitudinal sensing information (e.g., strain, force, pressure) could enhance
TJA outcomes by enabling (1) the optimization of TJA placement and component selection during the surgery,
(2) postoperative rehabilitation and monitoring of TJA integrity over time and (3) acquisition of data to improve
future designs. Despite advancements in microelectronics, the development of TJA with integrated sensors has
so far been primarily limited to a few biomechanical studies with experimental patient cohorts. The fundamental
barriers to clinical adoption lie in the significant increase in risks associated with the following: First,
conventionally fabricated electronics (e.g., chipset, batteries) typically contain toxic chemicals and have rigid
geometry that would cause cell toxicity, immune responses or served as a nidus for infection into the human
body. Second, current electronics integration strategies require significant structural modification on a clinically
proven TJA design, which introduces uncertainty in its long-term safety. Third, the geometrical and mechanical
dichotomies between the planar, rigid nature of a microfabricated electronics and an anatomically designed
three-dimensional TJA causes significant design constraint that limits the performances of the device. Finally,
due to the customization required, a significant cost increase is associated with the current electronics integration
strategy as the economy of scale is no longer applicable. Indeed, despite the potential of electronics to transform
arthritis treatment with TJA and decades of advancement, there has yet to be a viable strategy that can overcome
the barrier of clinical adoption. The proposed research will overcome these barriers by seamlessly integrating a
resonance-enhanced wireless sensing platform with existing TJA systems via a multi-material, multi-scale 3D
printing strategy. This research leverages the PI’s expertise in creating entirely 3D printable electronics and the
advancement of wireless sensing technologies. Specifically, 3D printed resonant-enhanced sensors (PRES) can
be directly printed on existing arthroplasty components, eliminating the need to modify the implant for the purpose
of sensor integration. Second, the freeform digital fabrication approach enables customization of sensors for
various implant designs. Finally, the sensors can be robustly and wirelessly interrogated with high sensitivity
using readout techniques that leverage the enhanced sensitivity of systems at special degeneracies (e.g.,
diabolic points, exceptional points). The R21 Trailblazer will initiate the development of the proposed 3D printed
resonant-enhanced sensor technology that can overcome the clinical barrier for electronics integration in TJA.
Upon completion of the proposed research, the validated PRES is readily applicable to other joint arthroplasty
systems as it is printed on the non-contact faces of TJA. The foundation es...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9959177
- **Project number:** 1R21EB029563-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** YONG LIN KONG
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $605,800
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-16 → 2024-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9959177

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9959177, 3D printed resonant-enhanced sensors (PRES) for total joint arthroplasties (1R21EB029563-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9959177. Licensed CC0.

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