A new drill for safer lumbar spine surgery
Official title: Smart Cavity Creator Drill for Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Direct to Phase II
Funded at Peer Technologies, PLLC · NIH-11076616 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new type of drill for back surgery that aims to make the procedure safer and easier by creating a larger space in the spine with a smaller opening, which could help reduce risks and improve recovery for people suffering from back pain.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Peer Technologies, PLLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $830,712 |
| NIH project number | 1R44AR085500-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11076616 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals scheduled for lumbar fusion surgery due to chronic back pain or related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not candidates for lumbar fusion surgery or those with conditions that contraindicate surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel drill technology for lumbar interbody fusion surgeries, which are commonly performed to alleviate back pain. The new approach aims to create a large cavity in the disc space using a small entry point, minimizing the need for extensive surgical dissection. By integrating smart sensors with the drill, the procedure can be performed with greater precision, potentially reducing complications such as nerve root injuries and excessive blood loss. This innovative technique seeks to enhance patient safety and improve surgical outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce complications and improve recovery times for patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Similar innovative approaches in surgical technology have shown promise in improving patient outcomes, suggesting potential success for this novel technique.
Where this research is happening
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Peer Technologies, PLLC
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mirza, Sohail K — Peer Technologies, PLLC
- Study coordinator: Mirza, Sohail K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Smart Cavity Interbody Fusion Drill for Lumbar Spine Surgery
A new, small-channel drill with smart sensors aims to safely create a cavity inside the disc during lumbar fusion to reduce nerve injury and shorten surgery time.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.