SMARTHEAL has reached its first anniversary, marking an important milestone in the development of next‑generation solutions for improving surgical outcomes in colorectal care.
Funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under the Horizon Europe programme, SMARTHEAL is a Transition Open project running from May 2025 to October 2027, with a total EU contribution of approximately €2.5 million.
Transforming Anastomotic Healing and Leak Detection
Colorectal cancer affects more than 1.93 million people worldwide each year, and up to 20% of patients undergoing colorectal surgery experience an anastomotic leak—a serious complication associated with high mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and increased healthcare costs. Despite extensive clinical research, the incidence of these leaks has remained stubbornly high, largely due to delayed detection and insufficient support for post‑surgical healing.
SMARTHEAL addresses this challenge through the development of a smart magnetic anastomosis implant that combines healing and sensing capabilities in a single, minimally invasive device. The implant integrates ultrathin, nano‑printed micro‑sensors and wireless electronics capable of monitoring key physical and biochemical markers, such as inflammation and oedema, directly at the anastomosis site.
By providing real‑time data on early indicators of anastomotic leaks, the technology aims to enable earlier clinical intervention, improving patient outcomes while reducing the burden on healthcare systems.
From Research to Market Readiness
Building on previous EU‑funded research, including outcomes from the FET Open project 5D NanoPrinting and the EIC project IV‑Lab, SMARTHEAL seeks to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to TRL 6 over the course of the project. This includes validating implant accuracy and performance in pre‑clinical models, alongside the integration of wireless data transmission for continuous monitoring.
Importantly, SMARTHEAL represents a first‑of‑its‑kind implant designed to both actively support tissue healing and detect early signs of surgical failure, opening new possibilities in smart medical devices and post‑operative care.
European Collaboration
The project is coordinated by Trinity College Dublin and brings together a multidisciplinary European consortium including:
- Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italy)
- Plio Surgical Ltd. (Ireland) – an SME focused on commercialisation and future clinical and regulatory pathways
- Amsterdam UMC (The Netherlands)
This collaboration spans clinical medicine, surgery, medical biotechnology, sensor engineering, and wireless implantable systems, reflecting SMARTHEAL’s highly interdisciplinary approach.
Looking Ahead
As SMARTHEAL enters its second year, the focus will shift further toward technology validation, system integration, and preparation for future clinical translation. The project’s ambition is not only to reduce the incidence and severity of anastomotic leaks, but also to set a new standard for smart, feedback‑driven surgical implants.
The consortium would like to thank all partners, researchers, clinicians, and contributors who have helped build a strong foundation during this first year. With momentum now firmly established, SMARTHEAL looks forward to the next phase of innovation and impact.
SMARTHEAL is funded by the European Innovation Council (EIC) under Horizon Europe.
🔗 Learn more about the project: https://www.smartheal.eu/
🔗 Official project factsheet: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/10121468
