Could a patch replace MRI for diagnosing osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis

2 Feb 2017

A team of engineers from the University of Cardiff in Wales seem to think so. They’ve developed a thin  ‘smart patch’ designed to be worn on the knee. The patch uses the same technology as damage sensors from aircraft wings to catch subsonic cracking sounds in joints before the disease fully develops.

According to the researchers the patch could help save millions of pounds spent on diagnosis via X-ray and MRI scans.

Dr Davide Crivelli from the School of Engineering said in an interview: “The idea has got huge potential to change the way we diagnose osteoarthritis…If we’re able to link the sound signature of a healthy knee and a knee with disease, we will be able to lower the costs on society.”

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