Open Call for Innovative Defense-Related Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions with a Clear Air Force Stakeholder Need

Along with field injuries, off duty sporting, weight training and recreational activities are commonly reported as causing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Occurring in 3,000 Air Force and other U.S. warfighters annually, ACL tears are highly debilitating, expensive to treat, and have a long recovery time. More than 50% of service members with ACL injury have their activity limited or are unable to return to duty following surgery. A regenerative therapy which preserves native ACL tissue, immediately restores joint strength and promotes ACL healing would significantly improve the service readiness, effectiveness, performance and quality of life of Air Force service members with ACL injuries. The Embody Team has biomanufactured a collagen microfiber graft (microBraceâ„¢) that provides a direct solution to this problem. Our therapeutic will reduce surgery time by around 1hr and obviate the need for a second surgery for autologous tissue harvest (the current standard of care). Our advanced therapeutic will also enable treatment closer to the point of injury and sooner, which we postulate will further lead to improved patient outcomes. Our proposed solution will have tremendous medical impact, accelerating the return of Air Force service members, veterans and citizens back to pre-injury performance.