The problem:
By 2040, 11.4% of adults are expected to experience arthritis-attributed activity limitations, leading to pain, social isolation and loneliness. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is currently one of the most cost-effective and successful surgeries used to treat osteoarthritis. Patient-reported outcomes improve dramatically with respect to pain relief, restoration of function and improved quality of life. In 2018, more than 90,000 and 600,000 knee replacements were performed in the UK and the US, respectively. These numbers are increasing dramatically because of demographic and lifestyle changes. However, 10-20% of TKA patients are not fully satisfied, which is partially attributed to variation in surgery. Surgical robots and patient-specific instrumentation address the problem well, but the high capital investment required and logistical difficulties associated with the procedure are stopping it from becoming widely implemented.
The solution:
Our ambition is to develop an easy-to-use intra-operative orthopaedic implant navigation device to help surgeons place implants precisely, with minimal training or prior experience needed.
However, the first product we are developing is an implant for TKA. Our implant is disruptive in terms of its ease of use and cost effectiveness, along with the therapeutic advantages that more precise, replicable implant placement would have on long-term patient outcomes. Over the coming 12-18 months, we are looking to raise £1.5 million of investment to support the development of the product and prepare for clinical study. We are also seeking to collaborate with a medical device company, with whom we can develop and test our product.
Traction:
- 2020: Wellcome Trust Musculoskeletal Accelerator funding
- 2021: Industry funding from MBA Incorporado S.L.
- 2021: EPSRC IAA
- 2021: ICURe by UKRI Innovate UK
- 2021: MedTech SuperConnector by UKRI Research England
Associated Programme
