An injectable nanocomposite hydrogel embedding adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) has been successfully tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro results showed a considerable boost of chondrogenesis and a reduction of inflammation in ASCs, when the nanocomposite was stimulated with controlled ultrasound waves. Tests compliant with ISO 10993 also showed an excellent safety of the hydrogel in vivo. This nanocomposite hydrogels (that has been patented at the beginning of the project) reached a preclinical maturation level (TRL = 5), as expected.
Results on the novel handheld arthroscopic device allowed filing a patent, publishing a paper on Ann. Biomed. Eng. and preparing another publication currently under review on Sci. Rep. The KPI was a usability score of at least 7 out of 10 by skilled surgeons. This objective was largely matched, with an average score of 8.6 out of 10. The technology is promising, and it is not far from having a possible commercial impact.
Results on a highly controlled ultrasound stimulation platform allowed filing a patent and publishing two papers: one on its validation, on Ultrasonics, another one on its direct use on macrophages, on APL Bioeng. All KPIs (broad range of frequencies and intensities and a dose error < 2.5%) were matched.
The efforts on a smart wearable brace for therapy delivery and monitoring, in an internet-of-things framework allowed filing a patent, publishing a paper on Sci. Rep., another paper on IEEE Transl. Eng. Health Med. and preparing another publication currently under review on IEEE Open J. Eng. Med. Biol. The KPI was a usability score of at least 7 out of 10 by patients. The average score achieved was 8.8 out of 10. A start-up company was founded based on these results. It will pursue its commercial exploitation.
Dissemination activities were rich and successful. The project website received, on average, 500 visits per month, with visitors from 72 different countries. The Consortium organized four scientific workshops/simposia and participated in several events, with a total of 69 oral or poster presentations delivered. Overall, 23 publications were achieved on ISI journals. This constitutes an impactful result in the scientific community, covering all scientific and technical aspects of the project. Furthermore, the Consortium published eight conference proceedings and 28 conference abstracts.
The project communication campaign was intense and impactful, with several initiatives that reached a large number of citizens. An interview of the project Coordinator at the SuperQuark program reached 2.263.000 people (13% share of Italian TV audience on that day). Concerning social media, 953 followers were achieved on Facebook and Twitter. The Consortium members made 7 TV/radio interviews, 19 press news and 28 internet news. Four large non-technical events were organized to communicate the project concept and results to the general public.
The project achieved excellent exploitation outcomes. The Consortium filed a large portfolio of patents (4 patents: WO2020174395A1, WO2021014331A1, WO2022074632A1, WO2023275771A1), protecting the IP generated in a thorough way. A start-up was founded (MyEcho S.r.l.
https://www.myechosrl.com/(odnośnik otworzy się w nowym oknie)) which was born grounded on results obtained during the project course concerning wearable braces. The start-up has already received two national prizes (the “Most innovative spin-off company in Tuscany award”, assigned during the “Start Cup Toscana” event on 24/10/2023, and the “Lifebility award” obtained on 17/05/2023). A detailed exploitation roadmap and business plan were developed for the nanocomposite hydrogel, paving the way for its future exploitation.
