Real-time feedback for rotator cuff repair recovery
Real-time Feedback for Post-Operative Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff Repairs using Wireless Force-Sensing Suture Anchors
This project will build wireless sensors inside suture anchors so surgeons and physical therapists can get real-time force feedback to guide people recovering from rotator cuff and other large tendon repairs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Penderia Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170023 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have tiny, battery-free sensors embedded in the suture anchors used during your rotator cuff surgery that measure forces at the repair site. Those sensors send data wirelessly to a wearable monitor so your surgeon and physical therapist can see load on the tendon during exercises and daily activities. The team plans to use that continuous feedback to personalize rehabilitation plans, avoid overload that may cause re-tears, and optimize the timing of activity progression. The system is also being developed for other large tendon repairs like the Achilles tendon.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people undergoing rotator cuff or other large tendon surgical repair who are willing to have sensor-enabled suture anchors placed and to use wearable monitoring during recovery.
Not a fit: People managing rotator cuff problems without surgery, or patients whose surgeons do not use the sensor anchors, are unlikely to benefit from this device.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could reduce re-tear and revision surgery rates, shorten rehabilitation time, and help clinicians tailor rehab to each patient's healing.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is relatively novel—while wearable sensors and rehab protocols exist, there is currently no widely used technology that measures forces directly at suture anchors, so clinical success remains unproven.
Where this research is happening
Eugene, United States
- Penderia Technologies, INC. — Eugene, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Karipott, Salil Sidharthan — Penderia Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Karipott, Salil Sidharthan
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.