Real-time Feedback for Post-Operative Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff Repairs using Wireless Force-Sensing Suture Anchors

摘要 再生康复的新兴跨学科研究领域是基于最近的证据： 术后康复与手术技术同等重要，以达到最佳的功能恢复 在骨科受伤之后。尽管承认了这一点，目前的康复方案仍然主要基于 定性的先前经验或偏好，缺乏针对患者的实时定量反馈。的目标是 该项目是开发一种传感系统，可以监测骨科的局部机械环境 修复部位，特别是肩袖手术，从而为外科医生和体检人员提供定量反馈 治疗师(PTS)通过优化康复时间和减少 失败和翻修手术的比率。该传感器还将在大肌腱重建中有其他应用 以及康复，如跟腱修复。该传感系统基于无电池传感器 嵌在用于肩袖修复的缝合锚中。缝合锚点通过无线方式进行监控 可穿戴设备，为外科医生和PTS提供实时、连续的生物反馈，以做出明智的决定 并准确应用循证护理。据我们所知，没有一种类似的技术可以 有效地执行类似的任务，成功实施我们的系统可能会带来巨大的成本 整形外科行业的节省。我们已经进行了初步的实验，证明了技术上的可行性， 并进行了100多次客户访谈，确认了这项技术的需求和市场机会。我们 还建立了资助策略和合作者，以继续研究有效性和 这项技术的商业化。该第一阶段项目的目标是开发和评估传感器 系统，并进行体外实验，以演示该设备的功能和实用性- 集成传感器。

Abstract The emerging interdisciplinary research field of Regenerative Rehabilitation is based on recent evidence that post-operative rehabilitation is as important as surgical technique to achieve optimal functional restoration following orthopedic injuries. Despite this recognition, current rehabilitation protocols remain primarily based on qualitative prior experience or preferences and lack patient-specific, real-time quantitative feedback. The goal of this project is to develop a sensing system that can monitor the local mechanical environment at orthopedic repair sites, specifically rotator cuff surgeries, thus providing quantitative feedback for surgeons and physical therapists (PTs) to improve patient outcomes and reduce cost by optimizing rehabilitation time and reducing rates of failure and revision surgeries. The sensor would have other applications in large tendon reconstruction and rehabilitation such as Achilles tendon repair as well. The sensing system is based on battery-free sensors embedded in suture anchors used for rotator cuff repairs. The suture anchor is wirelessly monitored with a wearable device, allowing real-time, continuous biofeedback for surgeons and PTs to make informed decisions and accurately apply evidence-based care. To our knowledge, there is no comparable technology that can perform similar tasks efficiently, and successful implementation of our system could lead to significant cost savings in the orthopedic industry. We have performed preliminary experiments showing the technical feasibility, and conducted over 100 customer interviews confirming the need and market opportunity of this technology. We have also set up a funding strategy and collaborators for continuing study the effectiveness and commercialization of this technology. The goal of this Phase I project is to develop and evaluate the sensor system, as well as conduct an ex vivo experiment to demonstrate the functionality and practicality of the device- integrated sensor.