Intelligent Implants raised $7.5 million ($8.7million) to make spinal surgery less painful. One of the first uses for smart implants by the company is spinal fusion surgery, where two or more vertebrae are connected permanently to increase stability, correct a defect or reduce pain. These surgeries are performed in more than one million locations worldwide. However, they are often considered a last resort due to the possibility of complications and continued pain.
Intelligent Implants uses wireless implantable electronics for bone growth monitoring, steering and stimulation. According to the company, current post-operative management can lead to dependence on painkillers and physical therapy. Intelligent Implants will be entering the market to offer a more tech-forward solution.
Smart, active implants from the company aren't the only ones in this category. You are familiar with cochlear and pacemaker implants. These devices have been around since the 1970s and 1950s respectively. Intelligent Implants' innovation lies in the creation of a solution that does not require wires or batteries. It is placed between the vertebrae using the same surgical procedure as non-active implants.
Induction is used to power the implant externally. This works in the same way as a wireless charging pad for your phone. This creates an electrical field that stimulates and guides bone development.
John Zellmer, CEO at Intelligent Implants, stated that while I don't wish anyone to have this surgery, it is something that must be done.
You can use the electrodes used for stimulation as sensors. The device is a regular orthopedic implant with some extra magic. In this instance, the magic is a combination of an orthopedic implant and a few electrodes that can be used to stimulate bone growth. The patient wears a spinal corset after fusion surgery to ensure everything is in its proper place. It also provides a place for power and control units.
Zellmer explained that Intelligent Implants can get the sensor side to the equation almost as an side effect of bone-growth stimulation. The device can measure impedance, he explains. Because bone doesn't conduct well, it can be used to measure bone growth.
SmartFuse, a company's product, has just been awarded a Breakthrough Device status by the FDA. This means that it was able to conduct large-animal studies on sheep to show that SmartFuse showed three times the bone growth and shortened the time to fuse by half.
According to Zellmer, it is rare for a Breakthrough Device Designation to be based on preclinical data. He also points out that most BDDs were based on human trials. When we heard the news, we did a lot of dancing around the office.
The company has used sheep in its orthopedic trials so far, with goats or sheep being the most common. In 2023, the company plans to conduct its first clinical trial with humans.
We decided to address this difficult problem after a loved one suffered poor outcomes. Zellmer said that we knew our solution would not work if the team had deep domain knowledge, long-term commitment, and if our technology could be integrated into current surgical practices (standard of care). SmartFuse is now on its way to the market and we are more than halfway there. The FDA's approval of our approach is confirmation that it was sound.
Before graduating, the company was part in SOSV's HAX tech program. Today, it announced that it will close its seed round. It raised 4.5million ($5.2 million) from EUs EIC Accelerator with participation by SOSV and an additional 3million ($3.5 million from a group Swedish angel investors.
Bill Liao, SOSV partner, was our first contact in 2015. He has supported us since. This is a long time for venture firms, and they have done an amazing job supporting us in every round. That is amazing. We are working hard. This device is classified as a Class 3, an implantable active device that has a stimulation system. This is a completely new concept, and it's a great way to bring that knowledge into the orthotics field.
Implantable technology is a difficult task. Intelligent Implants has been incredibly steady in their progress. We are proud of their continued support on their journey to help millions and serve a market that is poised to reach $9B within a few years. Bill Liao, general Partner at SOSV, said.
