Matching flexible body tissues with bionic designs to save and restore damaged limbs
Compliant Limb Reconstruction: Co-engineering Body and Machine to Revolutionize Limb Salvage
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · NIH-11361347
This project develops surgical techniques and bionic implants that work with your body's natural flexibility to help people with severe limb injuries keep their limb and move with less pain.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11361347 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From your point of view, the research team is combining surgery and mechanical design in a new approach called "anatomics" so implants and operations behave more like natural, flexible joints. They will design devices and surgical methods that try to restore the normal load-and-movement properties of joint tissues. These designs will be refined and tested in lab and translational models that mimic human limb function. Over the grant period the goal is to prepare promising approaches for use in patients who need limb reconstruction or face amputation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with severely injured or dysfunctional limbs, or chronic joint-related limb pain, who are being considered for reconstructive surgery or amputation.
Not a fit: Patients with complete limb loss who are not surgical candidates, or those with active uncontrolled infection or very poor blood flow to the limb, may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help people avoid amputation, reduce pain, and restore more natural movement by making implants and surgeries that match the body's own flexibility.
How similar studies have performed: While implant and bionic research has advanced prosthetics, the specific co-engineering focus on restoring biological compliance is a novel approach with limited prior human-tested examples.
Where this research is happening
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CLITES, TYLER R — UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- Study coordinator: CLITES, TYLER R
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.