Dissolvable bone glue to improve skull flap fixation and healing
A Pilot Clinical Study for a Novel Bioresorbable Bone Adhesive to Evidence Improved Cranial Flap Fixation Based on Radiographic Imaging and Patient Reported Outcomes
A dissolvable bone glue called Tetranite will be used during skull flap closure after craniotomy to help hold the bone in place, reduce hardware problems, and make follow-up imaging clearer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Revbio, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lowell, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11180398 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, surgeons will inject a bioresorbable adhesive (Tetranite) into the gap between your skull and the bone flap at the time of craniotomy closure. The team will follow you with radiographic imaging (CT/MRI) and ask about symptoms and appearance after surgery to see how the glue affects fixation, healing, pain, and cosmetic results. The glue is designed to resorb over time while promoting bone healing and avoiding metal plate artifacts on scans. This pilot work is done by RevBio and tests whether the adhesive can reduce loose hardware, leaks, and the need for repeat surgery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People having a craniotomy with a replaceable bone flap and who meet the surgery center's eligibility and safety criteria are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving a bone flap, who have active infection, allergies to device components, or other medical reasons that preclude use of an implantable adhesive may not benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the adhesive could mean stronger bone flap fixation, fewer reoperations or infections, less pain or palpable hardware, and clearer imaging after surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Existing bone cements and fixation hardware can help but have downsides; this dissolvable bone adhesive is a newer approach with limited prior clinical data.
Where this research is happening
Lowell, UNITED STATES
- Revbio, INC. — Lowell, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hess, Brian — Revbio, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hess, Brian
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 below.