Implant chip will improve care A local doctor has developed a
chip that can be implanted in artificial knees, hips or other
prosthetics that will relay medical information about the
patient. Dr. Lee Berger, an orthopedic surgeon, developed the
technology after frequent experiences with patients who did not
remember the information needed to get proper follow-up care.
"Ortho-Tag" is a wireless chip imbedded in the prosthetic that
contains information about a patient, implant, and procedure. A
handheld receiver allows physicians to access information about
their patient. "A patient could just have all information
necessary for care available in their implant," said Berger, who
has been affiliated with St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center
for 25 years and The Valley Hospital for 15 in addition to
having his own private practice in Fair Lawn. The Ortho-tag
still has to be approved by the FDA. "We hope to have it out
between six months to a year" said Berger. Berger described the
possibilities available with this