Development of an implantable sensor system for in vivo strain, temperature, and pH monitoring: comparative evaluation of titanium and resorbable magnesium plates

Biodegradable magnesium is a highly desired material for fracture fixation implants because of its good mechanical properties and ability to completely dissolve in the body over time, eliminating the need for a secondary surgery to remove the implant. Despite extensive research on these materials, there remains a dearth of information regarding critical factors that affect implant performance in clinical applications, such as the in vivo pH and mechanical loading conditions. We developed a measurement system with implantable strain, temperature, pH and motion sensors to characterize magnesium and titanium plates, fixating bilateral zygomatic arch osteotomies in three Swiss alpine sheep for eight weeks. pH 1–2 mm above titanium plates was 6.6 ± 0.4, while for magnesium plates it was slightly elevated to 7.4 ± 0.8. Strains on magnesium plates were higher than on titanium plates, possibly due to the lower Young's modulus of magnesium. One magnesium plate experienced excessive loading, which led to plate failure within 31 h. This is, to our knowledge, the first in vivo strain, temperature, and pH data recorded for magnesium implants used for fracture fixation. These results provide insight into magnesium degradation and its influence on the in vivo environment, and may help to improve material and implant design for future clinical applications.