World’s first self-powered spinal implant tracks healing in real time

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, led by Associate Professors Amir Alavi, Nitin Agarwal, and D. Kojo Hamilton, have developed the world’s first self-powered spinal implant designed to monitor healing in real time without batteries or electronics. Funded by a $352,213 NIH R21 grant, this innovative implant uses metamaterials—engineered composites with conductive and non-conductive layers—that harvest energy through contact electrification when pressure is applied. This technology allows the implant to generate its own power and transmit healing data wirelessly to an external electrode and then to the cloud, enabling doctors to remotely track spinal fusion recovery and intervene early if complications arise. The implant is designed to replace traditional spinal fusion monitoring methods, which rely on periodic X-rays and patient-reported symptoms, often requiring in-person visits and exposing patients to radiation. By continuously measuring changes in load-bearing on the implant, the device provides a dynamic signal that decreases as the spine heals and the bone takes on more load.