Mechano-triggered non-opioid pain relief for post-surgery joint pain
Official title: A mechano-sensitive drug delivery approach for a non-opioid therapeutic to control acute postoperative joint pain
Funded at Mechano Therapeutics LLC · NIH-11409518 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A first-in-kind delivery system uses body movements to release pain-relieving drugs after joint surgery, aiming to reduce opioid use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mechano Therapeutics LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $314,133 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AR087914-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409518 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients undergoing orthopedic joint procedures who experience acute postoperative pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing joint surgery or whose pain is not mediated by local joint mechanisms may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a sustained-release, mechanically activated drug delivery system that releases local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medications when joint movement occurs. It targets acute pain after orthopedic procedures and seeks to cover the critical 72-hour window with non-opioid relief. The approach uses microcapsules that respond to mechanical forces in the joint, potentially limiting the need for opioids and easing recovery. If successful, it could shorten hospital stays and improve postoperative comfort for patients recovering from joint surgery. The work is led by Mechano Therapeutics LLC in Philadelphia, focusing on translating a novel technology toward patient care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Potentially substantial reduction in opioid use and improved recovery after joint surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior local anesthetic approaches show short-acting relief; this is a novel, mechano-responsive method with limited clinical precedence.
Where this research is happening
-
Mechano Therapeutics LLC
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dodge, George R. — Mechano Therapeutics LLC
- Study coordinator: Dodge, George R.
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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.