Smart Implant for Magnetic Anastomotic Healing and Leakage Evaluation

The SMARTHEAL project aims to develop a smart magnetic anastomosis implant with integrated micro-sensors for enhanced healing and early detection of leaks, improving surgical outcomes and reducing costs.

Subsidie
€ 2.499.815
2025

Projectdetails

Introduction

Colorectal cancer affects over 1.93 million people worldwide each year. In most cases, surgery to remove the tumour is necessary, and intestinal continuity is restored through an anastomosis. However, a serious complication, known as an anastomotic leak, occurs in up to 20% of procedures. This complication is associated with high mortality rates, frequent re-interventions, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and a reduced quality of life. Despite decades of research, the incidence of anastomotic leaks remains high, largely due to poor healing and delayed recognition.

Project Overview

Leveraging outcomes from the FET Open project '5D NanoPrinting' and EIC Project 'IV-Lab', Trinity College Dublin and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, in collaboration with Plio Surgical and Amsterdam UMC, aim to integrate the results of micro-sensor and nano-printing technologies into a disruptive smart magnetic anastomosis implant.

Innovative Features

This innovative implant will offer both healing and sensing capabilities, monitoring physical and chemical parameters that signal inflammation and edema at the anastomosis site.

Technology Advancement

The SMARTHEAL project will advance this technology from TRL 3 to TRL 6 by embedding micro-sensors within the implant to detect key markers of anastomotic leaks. These sensors will be integrated with wireless electronics to transmit real-time data on healing biomarkers, with the implant's accuracy demonstrated in pre-clinical models.

Impact and Opportunities

SMARTHEAL represents a groundbreaking advancement, being the first implant to simultaneously enhance healing and enable early leak detection. This innovation has the potential to significantly improve surgical outcomes and reduce healthcare costs globally.

Commercial Potential

It offers a substantial commercial opportunity for Plio Surgical, which aims to undertake the clinical and regulatory activities to bring this technology to market.

Financiële details & Tijdlijn

Financiële details

Subsidiebedrag€ 2.499.815
Totale projectbegroting€ 2.499.815

Tijdlijn

Startdatum1-5-2025
Einddatum31-10-2027
Subsidiejaar2025

Partners & Locaties

Projectpartners

  • THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLINpenvoerder
  • FONDAZIONE ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA
  • PLIO SURGICAL LIMITED
  • STICHTING AMSTERDAM UMC

Land(en)

IrelandItalyNetherlands

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