SmILE (Smart Implants for Life Enrichment) develops innovative solutions to reduce the burden of musculoskeletal non-communicable diseases (MSK-NCDs) in older adults. Through preventive measures, early interventions, and AI-driven health monitoring, the project aims to improve mobility, enhance quality of life, and support healthcare providers in delivering personalised, data-driven treatments.

The SmILE project is funded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe research and innovation action under the call “HORIZON-HLTH-2023-STAYHLTH-01-01.” The project focuses on addressing the growing impact of MSK-NCDs, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and frailty fractures, which significantly affect mobility, independence, and quality of life among older adults.

As life expectancy increases across Europe, MSK conditions contribute to long-term health decline, increased healthcare needs, and financial strain on healthcare systems. SmILE aims to develop innovative, technology-driven solutions that improve prevention, early risk detection, and personalised management of these conditions.

A key aspect of SmILE is the integration of smart medical technologies that provide continuous monitoring of MSK health. By leveraging advanced sensors and AI-powered analytics, the project will transform conventional implants and wearable devices into intelligent tools that track health parameters, detect potential complications, and support rehabilitation. These innovations will help shift MSK disease management from reactive treatments to proactive interventions, improve patient outcomes and reduce hospitalisations.

Project objectives

As the population ages, MSK conditions are becoming more common, impacting mobility and increasing healthcare needs. SmILE will develop innovative solutions to address these challenges by:

• Developing smart medical implants that support early risk detection and intervention.
• Utilising AI-driven analytics to integrate and interpret health data, enabling personalised recommendations.
• Promoting patient empowerment by fostering self-management strategies and improving access to relevant health information.
• Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity, designing digital solutions that accommodate the diverse needs of older adults.

Consortium

SmILE is a 60-month project involving 25 institutions across 12 European countries. Coordinated by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. from Germany, the project includes partners from Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Links

https://www.horizon-smile.eu/

https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/smile-smart-implants-for-life-enrichment/

Keywords

Smart implants, AI, Non-communicable diseases, Musculoskeletal, Older adults