Detecting and Monitoring Periprosthetic Joint Infection by Using Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Case Study

Abstract

A method to detect the presence of infection after Total Joint Arthroplasty is presented. The method is based on Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy and guarantees low latency, non-invasiveness, and cheapness with respect to the state of art. Experimental measurements were carried out on a singular patient who had already undergone bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty. He was affected by a hematogenous Periprosthetic Joint Infections on the left knee. The right knee was adopted as the reference. Measurements were acquired once before the surgical procedure (Diagnosis Phase) and twice in the postoperative phases (Monitoring Phase). The most relevant frequency range, for diagnosis and monitoring phases, was found to be between 10 kHz to 50 kHz. The healing trend predicted by the decrease of impedance magnitude spectrum was reflected in clinical and laboratory results. In addition, one month after the last acquisition (two months after the surgery), the patient fully recovered, confirming the prediction of the Electrical Bioimpedance Spectroscopy technique.

A Quasi-3-D Impedance Measurement Using the Square Wave Method With Parallactic Excitation for Detection of Biofilm Growth

“…Electrochemical sensors provide almost all the benefits of laboratory assays including specificity, selectivity, and sensitivity along with the affordability and speed necessary for point-of-care analyses. Especially impedance-based sensors, have been utilized for the detection and growth tracking of bacteria for over a halfcentury because the measurements are simple, label free, and show a good repeatability [10], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19]. The electrical impedance of biological samples reveals the electronic and physical characteristics of its cell membranes as well as the composition, shape, and structure of intra and extra cellular electrolytes [16], [19], [20].…”

“…Especially impedance-based sensors, have been utilized for the detection and growth tracking of bacteria for over a halfcentury because the measurements are simple, label free, and show a good repeatability [10], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19]. The electrical impedance of biological samples reveals the electronic and physical characteristics of its cell membranes as well as the composition, shape, and structure of intra and extra cellular electrolytes [16], [19], [20]. The electrical behavior of bacteria and extracellular parts of the biofilm influence the system's overall impedance.…”