SPINE 4.0

Project objectives

Although important developments have been made in the research and management of spinal pathologies, limitations still remain for effective multidisciplinary management of patients/workers suffering from low back pain. The project responds to these needs by overcoming the limits of mono-sectorality, optimizing the use of resources in the healthcare sector such as those available in UCBM, developing a personalized multidisciplinary and integrated clinical path in a single reference center.

The general objective of the project is to develop an innovative, integrated and multidisciplinary approach for working patients suffering from degenerative spinal pathologies and in particular low back pain, based on advanced technologies (AI, cellular therapies, robotically navigated MISS, mechatronics and sensors) and treatments that favor preventive and personalized approaches, aimed at rapid functional recovery and return to work. Furthermore, the final objective is to strengthen the national prevention system through the creation of a reference center for the holistic management of degenerative spinal diseases through training courses and the development of preventive and treatment pathways including the production of advanced cellular therapies ( ATMP).

The technical and scientific objectives are:

1. Development of an innovative personalized, multidisciplinary and integrated management model through the use of advanced technologies such as AI, sensors and digital coaching systems for taking charge of the patient/worker from diagnosis to clinical and occupational evaluation, even in an extra-hospital setting, in order to promote the return to work also through a clinical epidemiological study.
2. Medium-long term evaluation of the clinical effects and on the return to work of innovative therapeutic approaches based on advanced technologies (MSC and navigated MISS) for degenerative pathologies of the spine of the worker patient and evaluation of the feasibility and implementation of automated cell production on site in order to make ATMPs accessible to as many patients/workers as possible.
3. Feasibility study for the creation of a reference center aimed at multidisciplinary and integrated management that ranges from prevention, diagnosis, treatment to work reintegration of degenerative spinal pathologies through the involvement of stakeholders for the definition of needs and the development of training courses multidisciplinary specialists aimed at creating skills for the translational treatment of patients/workers

Start and end date

Project Manager

Responsible for UR activities: Eng. Mario Merone

Establishment of project coordinators

Other Institutions involved

• Don Foundation Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS
• Dimeila Research Department, Internal Operational Unit, INAL

Funding source(s).

INAIL (Central Research Directorate)

Economic value of the project

1.300.000 of euros