Fast and reliable infection diagnosis during orthopaedic surgery using Bluetooth-assisted miniaturized-electrochemical sensor

Infections are a relevant problem in the orthopaedic field because the risk of infection is universal for all implanted orthopaedic devices. Herein, we reported the design, development, and test of a miniaturized, cost-effective, and Bluetooth-assisted device for fast and easy monitoring of infections during orthopaedic surgery. The new portable miniaturized electrochemical sensor was fabricated using polyester as support and conductive inks for screen printing. The electrochemical sensor was then modified with biocompatible iridium oxide by electrochemical deposition. The pH value of blood was measured by adding a drop of blood, sampled during orthopaedic surgery, onto the electrochemical cell without any sample treatment to obtain a potentiometric response in less than 1 min. The pH value was found lower than 7.0 in the case of infections and the data obtained are in agreement with microbiological analyses, furnishing an accurate diagnosis of infection and paving the way for using the electrochemical sensors in the orthopaedic field as intelligent tools for fast diagnosis.