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Smart Implant for Magnetic Anastomotic Healing and Leakage Evaluation

Project description

Smart magnetic anastomosis implant with healing and sensing capabilities

Colorectal cancer affects over 1.93 million people each year, and up to 20 % of patients undergoing surgery suffer from anastomotic leaks. Despite extensive research, these leaks remain frequent due to poor healing and late detection. With this in mind, the EIC-funded SMARTHEAL project will develop a cutting-edge smart magnetic anastomosis implant that supports healing and monitors the surgical site. Equipped with micro-sensors and wireless electronics, the implant will detect early signs of inflammation and oedema by tracking biomarkers linked to leaks. Advancing the technology for the market, SMARTHEAL aims to significantly improve post-operative outcomes through timely intervention and real-time monitoring.

Objective

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.

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

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 implants accuracy demonstrated in pre-clinical models.

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

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HORIZON-EIC - HORIZON EIC Grants

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-TRANSITION-01

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Coordinator

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 679 235,94
Address
COLLEGE GREEN TRINITY COLLEGE
D02 CX56 Dublin
Ireland

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Region
Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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Participants (3)

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