A device to help improve skull and jaw growth in babies with facial differences

A Smart, Fully Subcutaneous Distraction System to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Congenital or Acquired Craniofacial Differences

NIH-funded research Ostiio LLC · NIH-10929326

This study is testing a new device that helps babies with head shape differences grow their bones safely from inside their bodies, making recovery easier and reducing the chance of infections or scars.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOstiio LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Philadelphia, United States)
Project IDNIH-10929326 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a fully subcutaneous distraction system designed to enhance outcomes for infants with congenital or acquired craniofacial differences. The approach involves using a device that can gradually lengthen and reshape bone without the complications associated with external distractors, which are currently used in surgical treatments. By eliminating the external components, the research aims to reduce risks such as infection and scarring, ultimately improving the recovery experience for patients. The study will assess the effectiveness of this innovative device in promoting bone regeneration and correcting skeletal deficiencies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are newborns and infants diagnosed with congenital or acquired craniofacial conditions requiring surgical intervention.

Not a fit: Patients with craniofacial differences who are older or have already undergone extensive surgical treatments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective treatments for infants with craniofacial differences, improving their overall health and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While distraction osteogenesis has been used in various forms, this specific fully subcutaneous approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in clinical settings.

Where this research is happening

Philadelphia, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.