Improving Fracture Healing with Active Plating Technology
Funded at Apex Biomedical Company, LLC · NIH-11405527 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new plate technology aims to fix broken bones in adults more reliably by providing controlled motion at the fracture to speed healing, especially in those with osteoporosis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Apex Biomedical Company, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wilsonville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $504,235 |
| NIH project number | 1SB1AR087897-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405527 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older with fractures treated using bone plating, especially those with osteoporosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fractures not suitable for plating or those unlikely to experience improved motion benefits may see no advantage.
What this research studies
This project focuses on a special bone plate that allows a small amount of movement at the fracture to stimulate natural healing while keeping the bones stable. It tests a technology called Active Plating, which suspends screw holes to create elastic movement without losing fixation strength. The goal is faster and more consistent healing compared with standard locked plating, particularly in osteoporotic bone. The work will gather clinical data to support whether this approach improves outcomes for adults with fractures.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience faster healing, fewer complications, and better functional recovery after fractures.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest that controlled interfragmentary motion can improve fracture healing, but clinical data for active plating is limited and this project aims to strengthen that evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Apex Biomedical Company, LLC
Wilsonville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bottlang, Michael — Apex Biomedical Company, LLC
- Study coordinator: Bottlang, Michael
Related research
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Intermittent Fasting to Boost Fracture Healing in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
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Next-Generation MRI to Predict Bone Healing Using Virtual Testing
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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.