# Development and validation of a smart harness to study babies with developmental dysplasia of the hip

> **NIH NIH P20** · BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $181,343

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY – MANNEN 
Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a mechanical disorder that impacts up to 10% of the population at 
birth, but given a lack of knowledge to inform research and treatment, can result in a lifetime of painful and 
costly biomechanical problems and osteoarthritis. Improving treatment depends on understanding how a baby 
interacts with the Pavlik harness mechanical therapy brace at home, yet no research tools exist that allow for 
such measurements. The purpose of this project is to develop and validate a “smart” harness to enable at 
home research relating to how babies being treated for DDH interact with the brace. We will (Aim 1) Develop 
sensors to measure biomechanics within the Pavlik harness, (Aim 2) Embed sensors onto the Pavlik harness 
and validate via in vitro testing, and (Aim 3) Validate the smart harness with in vivo human subjects testing. 
The smart harness developed in this study will provide a proof-of-concept research device on which we can 
design future research and clinical studies to monitor the wear time, body position, and kicking data of babies 
undergoing DDH treatment, resulting in a more thorough understanding of these modifiable factors on clinical 
success. This project fits within the overall COBRE theme by focusing on developing and embedding flexible 
sensors into a therapy device for biomedical applications. The Fabrication, Characterization, and Testing 
Research Core is critical to the success of this project. Specifically, I will use the advanced manufacturing 
capabilities and equipment to develop new flexible sensor types in Aim 1. The ElectroForce mechanical testing 
machine will be required to validate the kicking data from sensors in Aim 2. The 3D scanner will be required to 
develop computer models of the smart harness in Aim 3 and will be necessary for future computational 
analysis of the completed device.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10823752
- **Project number:** 5P20GM148321-02
- **Recipient organization:** BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Erin Mannen
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $181,343
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-06 → 2028-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10823752

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10823752, Development and validation of a smart harness to study babies with developmental dysplasia of the hip (5P20GM148321-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10823752. Licensed CC0.

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