Charged spinal implants also work as body sensors.
Intelligent Implants, a developer of smart medical implants for treating bone impairments, has raised $9 million in seed funding.
Financing was provided by the startup building program EIC Accelerator, venture capital firm SOSV and a Swedish syndicate of private investors.
The company plans to commercialize a wireless implant for spinal fusion treatments, which joins dislodged vertebrae discs in the spine to help alleviate pain and instability. Dubbed Smart Fuse, the implant incorporates a regular orthopedic implant connected to wireless antennae for controlling electrodes that graft fresh bone tissue into the body.
The bone graft allows natural bone to grow into place over time.
Patients would also wear a spinal corset during aftercare to secure the implant, with the power cord and control units both residing inside the corset.
Clinical trials of the device are expected to commence in 2023. Intelligent Implants previously received $5 million from EIC Accelerator, a startup program run by the EU.
