Wireless metacages that measure spine fusion progress in real time
Official title: Wireless Metamaterial Interbody Cage for Real-Time Assessment of Lumbar Spinal Fusion In Vivo
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11412539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny, wireless, self-powered cage grown into your spine could tell doctors how well your spinal fusion is progressing, without bulky hardware.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $183,975 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR085218-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11412539 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 21 and older undergoing spinal fusion who could benefit from real-time monitoring of fusion progress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing spinal fusion or those not in a position to benefit from real-time wireless monitoring may not gain direct benefit.
What this research studies
This grant explores a novel, self-powered metamaterial interbody fusion cage designed to measure forces during lumbar spine fusion and wirelessly send the data in real time. It aims to translate a concept-tested device into in vivo use, with skin-surface electrodes to capture meaningful signals that reflect fusion progress. The approach minimizes external hardware and focuses on a compact, patient-friendly solution that could offer clinicians continuous feedback during healing. The study combines engineering, small-animal testing, and initial in vivo evaluation to demonstrate feasibility and safety before broader testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could give doctors a clearer, real-time picture of spinal fusion progress, potentially guiding rehabilitation and reducing the need for repeated imaging.
How similar studies have gone: Previous wireless sensing in implants shows promise, but this metamaterial, electronic-free approach is novel and aims to provide wireless data with minimal hardware.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alavi, Amir — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Alavi, Amir
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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.