The smart shoulder replacement implant aims to remotely monitor and transmit data from inside a patient’s shoulder.

Researchers at Scripps Health have received grant funding from the National Institutes of Health to develop what is believed to be the world’s first smart shoulder replacement implant.

The implant is designed to continuously and remotely monitor and transmit data on the inner workings of a patient’s new shoulder after surgery.

The $317,000 grant award will support the initial phase of research, which will be conducted over the next two years at the Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education (SCORE) at Scripps Clinic on the Torrey Pines Mesa.

In this early phase, researchers plan to design, produce and verify the functionality of a smart implant prototype, testing the device in the shoulder of a human cadaver to validate the implant’s operability and consistency.

Darryl D’Lima, MD, PhD, director of orthopedic research at Scripps Health/Scripps Health

Shoulder replacement surgery is an important area of sturdy, needing more data “ to better understand ways we can improve shoulder prosthetics and rehab approaches for patients,” Dr. Darryl D’Lima, director of orthopedic research at Scripps Health and the initiative’s co-lead investigator, said in a press release.

The new implant will be modified from an existing device and equipped with an array of customized wireless technology such as advanced sensors and capabilities for data storage, external communication and rechargeable power.

The smart implant will serve as both a functional shoulder joint replacement and as a research tool that can continually record and transmit data, such as mechanical forces, temperature, range of motion and more, from inside the shoulder.

The transmitted data could reveal new ways to enhance physical therapy protocols for shoulder replacement patients, as well as to improve the design of future implant devices.

The first surgical implantation of the smart shoulder device in a living patient is likely still a few years away.

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