Breakthrough implant helps patients with complex fractures regain stability and begin recovery with confidence. The L.S. Peery, M.D. Orthopaedic Innovation Center at the University of Utah, announced today that surgeons have successfully treated the first patients using the new Bone Bolt™ System, a next-generation implant designed to stabilize challenging bone fractures through a minimally invasive approach.
The inaugural cases were performed at the University Orthopaedic Center, where patients with complex pelvic fractures received the Bone Bolt as part of their surgical care. Early results are encouraging: surgeons report that the procedure was efficient, the implants provided strong fixation, and patients were able to begin their recovery without complications.
A New Option for Patients
Developed by the University of Utah’s Orthopaedic Innovation Center, the Bone Bolt™ System is an FDA-cleared implant that offers a more stable alternative to traditional cannulated screws for certain fractures. Its streamlined design enables surgeons to place the implant through small incisions, reducing tissue disruption and potentially improving patient comfort after surgery.
“For patients with pelvic fractures that are especially difficult to stabilize, the Bone Bolt gives us a tool that feels secure from the moment it’s implanted,” said Justin Haller, MD. “That stability may help reduce pain and allow our patients to safely begin moving sooner and early mobility is a key part of recovery.”
Designed With Patients in Mind
A recent biomechanical study found that pelvic fractures treated with the Bone Bolt were more than 75% more stable than those treated with standard screws after simulated walking cycles. While early, these findings support what clinicians are now seeing in real surgeries: the implant provides strong, reliable fixation for fractures that are traditionally associated with long and challenging recoveries.
Broader Effort to Improve Patient Outcomes
The Bone Bolt is currently being studied in a multicenter observational clinical study led by Lucas Marchand, MD. The study follows patients after surgery to understand how the implant affects:
- Post-operative pain
- Ability to walk and move
- Days spent recovering safely at home
- Length of hospital stay
“Our goal is simple,” said Dr. Marchand. “We want to give patients a better recovery experience. Every step we take with this device, from engineering to real-world clinical use, is about helping people heal faster, more comfortably, and with fewer setbacks.”
Advancing Innovation to Improve Lives
The Bone Bolt™ System is protected under U.S. Patent, with additional patents pending. The University of Utah is currently engaging with medical device companies interested in partnering to bring this technology to more hospitals and patients.
“This milestone reflects the University’s commitment to innovation that directly benefits patients,” said Bruce Hunter, Chief Innovation Officer at the University of Utah’s Technology Licensing Office. “We’re excited to help broaden access to technologies that strengthen patient care and support the clinicians who deliver it.”
About the Orthopaedic Innovation Center (“OIC”)
The OIC is dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal health through novel medical device technologies, translational research, and partnerships with industry leaders. Located within the Department of Orthopaedics, Specer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, University of Utah, and in collaboration with the Technology Licensing Office, the OIC has a proven track record of innovation and successful technology transfer. For more information regarding the OIC, contact Wade Fallin.
About the Technology Licensing Office
The University of Utah Technology Licensing Office (TLO) is dedicated to fostering innovation and creating value through effective technology transfer. As a leader in managing intellectual property, the TLO empowers researchers and inventors by providing the resources and support needed to transform groundbreaking ideas into real-world solutions. By facilitating the journey from discovery to commercialization, the TLO plays a critical role in driving economic growth and societal impact.