Abstract: This invention relates to diagnostic medical instruments and procedures, and more particularly to implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological parameters. A device for providing in vivo diagnostics of infections in orthopedic implants having at least one signal processing device operatively coupled with sensors. The signal processing device is operable to receive the output signal from the sensors and transmit a signal corresponding with the output signal. The invention also relates to a method using the device of the invention for detecting infection associated with implants in a human or animal subject.

Abstract: This invention relates to diagnostic medical instruments and procedures, and more particularly to implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological parameters. A device for providing in vivo diagnostics of infections in orthopedic implants having at least one signal processing device operatively coupled with sensors. The signal processing device is operable to receive the output signal from the sensors and transmit a signal corresponding with the output signal. The invention also relates to a method using the device of the invention for detecting infection associated with implants in a human or animal subject.

Abstract: To assist diagnosis of a post-operative condition related to an implanted medical device, such as an infection, inflammation, mechanical wear, and hemorrhaging, a monitoring device optically measures a concentration of a selected type of cells in a fluid surrounding the implanted medical device. The monitoring device comprises a light source and light sensor which are selected and calibrated, and placed in a relative spatial orientation with respect to each other, to detect light scattered by the selected type of cell in the fluid.