Smart implants: How SmILE improves the lives of older people!

Smart implants: How SmILE improves the lives of older people!

The Smart Implants for Life Enrichment (SmILE) research project aims to develop intelligent solutions to reduce the burden of non-communicable musculoskeletal diseases, known as MSK-NCDs, on older patients. With a budget of 21 million euros, the project is funded as part of the EU initiative “Horizon Europe” and deals intensively with the challenges of the increasing aging of the population, especially the baby boom generation, which is leading to an increase in such diseases.

The project focuses on preventive measures and early interventions to maintain the quality of life of the elderly. These diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis and fractures, affect the bones, joints, muscles and connective tissue, resulting in chronic pain and reduced mobility. The functional impairments have a significant impact on the quality of life and the ability to work of those affected, making the issue a global health challenge uni-saarland.de explained.

Project details and participants

The coordination of the project is the responsibility of the Fraunhofer Society for the Promotion of Applied Research and the BG Klinikum Hamburg. At Saarland University, Professor Bergita Ganse for innovative implant development and Professor Paul Motzki for smart material systems are actively involved. A total of 25 institutions from 12 European countries are working on SmILE, which will run for up to 60 months.

A central component of the project is the development of a universal chip platform that can be integrated into medical products. This platform aims to enable faster and more accurate diagnoses and support innovative treatment approaches. In addition, an AI-driven data system is being developed that combines personal patient data with information from implants, wearables and health questionnaires. This is intended to enable continuous monitoring of patients' health factors and thus promote the autonomy of older people in order to relieve their health.

Health promotion and prevention in old age

The SmILE initiative not only contributes to improving medical care for older people, but also to social inclusion. It combats stereotypes about the digital competence of this age group and has the long-term goal of promoting equal health opportunities in Europe. To successfully address the health risks associated with aging, health promotion and prevention among older adults is crucial. Effective programs must be tailored to specific areas of activity and target groups in order to strengthen health resources and resilience, as the Federal Center for Health Education ( bzga.de ) notes.

In summary, the SmILE project shows groundbreaking approaches to early prevention and intervention in the field of musculoskeletal diseases, which not only strive for medical innovations, but also promote social participation and the well-being of older people.