Artificial joints are subject to chronic infections associated with bacterial biofilms, which only
can be eradicated by the traumatic removal of the implant followed by sustained intravenous
antibiotic therapy. We have adopted an engineering approach to develop electrical-current-
based approaches to bacterial eradication and microelectromechanical systems that could
be embedded within the implanted joint to detect the presence of bacteria and to provide in
situ treatment of the infection before a biofilm can form. In the former case we will examine …