Robotic image-guided system to align broken femur (thigh) bones
Official title: Image-Guided Surgical Robotic System for Femur Fracture Reduction
Funded at Rowan University · NIH-11308194 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A surgical robot that uses 3D imaging to help surgeons precisely align broken thigh (femur) bones during repair.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rowan University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Glassboro, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 29, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $443,700 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB036365-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11308194 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People who need surgical repair of a broken femur (thigh bone) and can undergo surgery at the study site would be the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People whose fractures do not require surgery, fractures of other bones, or those who cannot safely undergo surgery would likely not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
This project is building a surgical robot that uses 3D images to show your broken femur and help the surgeon line up the bone pieces based on a surgeon-selected position on a 3D model. The robot is designed to provide strong, controlled traction and hold fragments with sub-millimeter precision while minimizing repeated X-ray checks. The team will develop image-guided navigation software and demonstrate the robot's ability to automatically align fragments to the chosen position. The aim is to shorten procedures and reduce complications like leg length differences, nonunion, and abnormal gait.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the robot could produce more accurate bone alignment, fewer repeat surgeries, shorter operations, and better walking and function after femur fractures.
How similar studies have gone: Robotic assistance has shown benefits in other orthopedic procedures like joint replacement, but using image-guided robots specifically for long-bone fracture alignment is relatively new and not yet proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Rowan University
Glassboro, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abedin Nasab, Mohammad — Rowan University
- Study coordinator: Abedin Nasab, Mohammad
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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.