EAGER: Soft-Actuated Bionic Regenerative Engineering

EAGER：软驱动仿生再生工程

• 批准号: 1844660
• 负责人: Cato Laurencin
• 金额: $ 30万
• 依托单位: University of Connecticut Health Center
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2018
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2018-10-01 至 2022-09-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1844660&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: EAGER; Soft; Actuated; Bionic; Regenerative

This project will develop a model system of a soft-robotic prosthetic designed to treat joint disease. Through the use of models of osteoarthritis progression and how mechanical loading impacts disease onset, progression, and regression, combined with models of continuous, compliant and configurable prosthetics, the research team will develop a soft-robotic prosthetic that is capable of responding in real time, based on implanted sensors, to the changing pressures of the joint while moving, such that the optimal dislocation will be achieved to promote healing. The research brings together two radically different concepts and approaches: (1) that the manipulation of mechanical forces can bring about regeneration of the knee cartilage and be curative for osteoarthritis, and (2) through the novel use of a robotic system, precise determination of forces and precise manipulation of the knee joint environment can occur to provide evidence of repair and regeneration of the knee joint. The research team will evaluate knee osteoarthritis as their testbed, but the program could have far reaching capabilities for other musculoskeletal disorders like hip-related osteoarthritis, gait-dependent back pain, and other disorders that would benefit from dynamic input rather than static control. Development of an engineered bioactive soft-robotic brace would be transformative to the field of musculoskeletal regeneration, as it is unlike any previous attempt to treat osteoarthritis. The approach is non-invasive, responds dynamically to the physical loads imposed upon the joint, is informed by the actual extent of disease progression of the joint, and is highly cost-effective. The project is high-risk, but may create a new engineered paradigm for the treatment of one of the world?s most prevalent diseases. The results of this project will be shared amongst the greater research community through peer-reviewed publications, conference proceedings, podium presentations, and poster presentations, and as content of any invited chapters or reviews on topics germane to the work described.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

该项目将开发一个用于治疗关节疾病的软机器人假体模型系统。通过使用骨关节炎进展模型以及机械负荷如何影响疾病发作，进展和消退，结合连续，顺应性和可配置的假肢模型，研究团队将开发一种软机器人假肢，该假肢能够基于植入的传感器在真实的时间内对关节移动时的压力变化做出反应，从而实现最佳脱位以促进愈合。该研究汇集了两种截然不同的概念和方法：（1）机械力的操纵可以实现膝关节软骨的再生并治疗骨关节炎，以及（2）通过机器人系统的新颖使用，精确确定力和精确操作膝关节环境可以提供膝关节修复和再生的证据。 研究小组将评估膝关节骨关节炎作为他们的试验平台，但该计划可能对其他肌肉骨骼疾病具有深远的影响，如髋关节相关的骨关节炎，步态依赖性背痛以及其他将受益于动态输入而不是静态控制的疾病。开发一种工程生物活性软机器人支架将对肌肉骨骼再生领域产生变革性影响，因为它不同于以往任何治疗骨关节炎的尝试。该方法是非侵入性的，动态地响应施加在关节上的物理负荷，由关节的疾病进展的实际程度通知，并且是高度成本效益的。该项目是高风险的，但可能会创造一个新的工程范例的治疗之一的世界？最流行的疾病。该项目的成果将通过同行评审的出版物、会议记录、讲台演讲和海报展示在更大的研究社区中分享，并作为与所述工作密切相关的任何受邀章节或主题评论的内容。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估来支持。