Understanding muscle properties to improve surgery outcomes for stroke and spinal cord injury patients
Official title: RR&D Senior Research Career Scientist Award Application
Funded at Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital · NIH-10938008 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make surgeries better for people who have lost muscle function from strokes or spinal cord injuries by finding the best muscles to use for repairs and using a special tool during surgery to help doctors get real-time information about the muscles without causing any harm.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hines, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2019 |
| Project end | October 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5IK6RX003351-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10938008 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients who have experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury and are considering tendon transfer surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced a stroke or spinal cord injury are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on the anatomical and biomechanical properties of human skeletal muscles to enhance tendon transfer surgeries for patients who have lost function due to strokes or spinal cord injuries. By utilizing biomechanical modeling, the research aims to identify the most suitable remaining muscles for surgical repositioning, thereby improving patient outcomes. Additionally, a novel intraoperative laser diffraction device is being developed to measure muscle properties in real-time during surgery, providing surgeons with critical information without damaging the muscle fibers. This approach seeks to optimize surgical techniques and enhance recovery for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and restored function for patients recovering from strokes and spinal cord injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in biomechanical modeling and tendon transfer surgeries has shown promising results, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in patient care.
Where this research is happening
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Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
Hines, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lieber, Richard L. — Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital
- Study coordinator: Lieber, Richard L.
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.