An Instrument for the Measurement of Oxygen Tension in Bone

Abstract

The Redox polarimeter has been designed to detect the presence of anoxia in the femoral head after fracture. By directly measuring bone-oxygen tension, the Redox polarimeter helps the surgeon to evaluate femoral-head circulation and thus to choose the best procedure. In experimental animals and in surgical patients, the Redox polarimeter immediately revealed anoxia due to occluded blood flow. In nineteen hips operated on, seventeen showed positive correlation between the oxygen-tension measurement and results of microscopic study or roentgenographic examination six months after surgery. Further data on the applications of the Redox polarimeter in hip surgery are now being collected for statistical evaluation.