Innovative ‘Super Elastic’ Springs for World-First Baby Surgery

BSI Member Helps Develop Innovative ‘Super Elastic’ Springs for World-First Baby Surgery

Biophysical Sciences Institute member Dr Alessandro Borghi, from Durham University's Department of Engineering, has played a key role in developing innovative "super elastic" springs that have been used in a world-first surgical procedure to treat a baby with a rare skull condition.

The pioneering technology was successfully implanted in a child with severe sagittal craniosynostosis, a condition in which part of the skull joins together too early, helping to reshape the skull more naturally as new bone grows.

The breakthrough is the result of an interdisciplinary collaboration bringing together expertise in engineering, clinical medicine, computational modelling, and medical device development. Working with engineers at University College London (UCL) and surgeons from the Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Craniofacial Surgery Unit, Dr Borghi helped design a new generation of cranial springs manufactured from nitinol, a flexible nickel-titanium alloy capable of applying a gentle, consistent force over time.

Dr Borghi said: “It is extremely rewarding to see our research efforts translate into a tangible improvement in the life of a newborn baby.

“This achievement demonstrates the real-world impact that can be achieved through close collaboration between engineering and clinical research.”

The success of the procedure represents an important milestone for the team and highlights how cross-disciplinary partnerships can drive innovation at the interface of physical and life sciences. As a member of the Biophysical Sciences Institute, Dr Borghi's work exemplifies the institute's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research that delivers tangible benefits for society and healthcare.

Find out more 

• Learn more about the work of Dr Alessandro Borghi.
• Learn more about the story from the Great Ormond Street website