UNISPRING – a new system of microsurgical reconstruction of the middle ear

In cooperation with researchers of AGH, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics, an innovative solution of middle ear prosthesis with reconstruction of the auditory ossicular chain has been developed.

The prosthesis is the result of the implementation of the NCBiR PBS1 project from 2013.03.01 to 2018.09.30 in the interdisciplinary consortium Collegium Medicum UJ in Krakow – St. Staszic Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow. The title of the project “UNISPRING – a new system of modeled microprostheses of the auditory ossicles reproducing the conduction chain of the middle ear”.

The result of the cooperation is a product – a middle ear prosthesis named UNISPRING, which has been given PL, EU, USA patent claims. The new product is largely based on the “know-how” of AGH employees in research and design. As a result of clinical trials, 13 patients of the ENT Clinic and Department of Otolaryngology, CM Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland, were implanted and completed the observation period. Hearing improvement occurred in all subjects. The FPFV clinical trial was conducted on: 26.05.2015 – LPLV: 30.07.2018. The main advantages of the new type of prosthesis are a single component: clinically proven efficacy and safety; simple design; the option of individual fitting allowing to replace a fully or partially damaged chain of ossicles; simplicity of modeling and spatial implementation. In Poland, there are about 50 centers (university clinics and hospital departments) performing ear procedures – from a dozen to about 20,000 a year (e.g., the World Hearing Center). Certainly, not every surgery requires a middle ear prosthesis with ossicular chain reconstruction – UNISRPING. Nevertheless, it sheds light on the potential demand and extent of social impact.

The collaboration between the Department of Otolaryngology at the Jagiellonian University CM in Krakow and the Department of Mechanics and Vibroacoustics at the AGH University of Science and Technology in Krakow is still being developed. Work is currently underway to commercialize the UNISPRING prosthesis.

Project Manager: dr hab. inż. Maciej Kłaczyński (AGH representative), dr n. med. Marcin Konior (CMUJ representative)

Contact: mklaczyn@agh.edu.pl