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

> **NIH NIH R43** · PENDERIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC. · 2021 · $250,745

## Abstract

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.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10251572
- **Project number:** 1R43AR078728-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** PENDERIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Salil Sidharthan Karipott
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $250,745
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-06-07 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10251572

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10251572, Real-time Feedback for Post-Operative Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff Repairs using Wireless Force-Sensing Suture Anchors (1R43AR078728-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10251572. Licensed CC0.

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