Developing a smart biorobot to help heal severe muscle injuries
Official title: An Intelligent Biorobot for the Regenerative Rehabilitation of Volumetric Muscle Loss Defects
Funded at Cleveland State University · NIH-11043168 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new biorobot that helps people with Volumetric Muscle Loss recover by using electrical stimulation and muscle cells, along with special rehab techniques, to improve muscle function and overall quality of life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | March 13, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $616,256 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR083865-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043168 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced significant muscle loss due to traumatic injuries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with muscle loss due to non-traumatic causes or those who are not candidates for surgical intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on addressing Volumetric Muscle Loss (VML), a serious condition where significant muscle is lost due to trauma. The project aims to create an innovative biorobot that can deliver electrical stimulation and support muscle regeneration through the introduction of muscle cells. By combining this technology with specialized rehabilitation techniques, the goal is to enhance the recovery of muscle function and improve the quality of life for affected patients. Patients will be monitored to assess the effectiveness of this new approach in restoring muscle tissue and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved recovery and functionality for patients suffering from severe muscle injuries.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using intelligent biorobots for muscle regeneration is innovative, similar regenerative therapies have shown promise in preliminary studies.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland State University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sikder, Prabaha — Cleveland State University
- Study coordinator: Sikder, Prabaha
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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.