Neuromusculoskeletal Interface for Bionic Arms

NCT ID: NCT07032753

Last Updated: 2025-06-24

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

12 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-01-01

Study Completion Date

2029-05-31

Brief Summary

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The overall objective of this proposal is to perform a first-in-human home trial of the Electronic Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations who have had Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) surgery and use a pattern recognition-controlled myoelectric prosthesis. The purpose of the study is to capture preliminary safety and effectiveness information on the e-OPRA device when used with the prosthetic systems. The investigators expect that the e-OPRA implant system will be safe and provide clinically and statistically significant improvements in control and comfort.

Specifically, the investigators hypothesize that the e-OPRA system will (1) allow for training of more functional prosthesis controllers, (2) provide more stable electromyographic (EMG) signals, reducing the need to recalibrate the prosthetic control system, and (3) be more comfortable, as it does not require a tethered arm-band to record surface EMG signals.

Phase 1: Perform TMR and e-OPRA surgeries in 8 persons with transhumeral amputations.

Phase 2: Perform a randomized cross-over study to compare the OPRA and e-OPRA system (without sensory feedback) in 8 transhumeral amputees who have received TMR.

Phase 3: Perform a randomized cross-over study to compare the e-OPRA system with and without sensory feedback in 8 transhumeral amputees who have received TMR.

Detailed Description

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In the past decade, progress has been made in creating stronger, more capable prosthetic devices, with improved control. Similar improvements have been made in prosthesis suspension, which is a critically important factor in both comfort and function of a prosthetic device. While skin-fit suction sockets were considered the state of the art for many years, custom-rolled silicon and instrumented gel-liners are now becoming more common, as they provide improved comfort. However, these approaches still require use of an external socket worn on the residual limb.

The Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (OPRA) implant system (Integrum AB, Mölndal, Sweden) uses osseointegration (OI) (i.e., a metal implant is placed in the residual bone, which then grows into and integrates with the implant) to provide mechanical attachment of the prosthesis to the skeleton in the residual limb, thus eliminating the need for a socket.

However, obtaining electromyographic (EMG) control signals to enable myoelectric control of a prosthesis, whether it is attached through OI or a conventional socket, requires placement of surface electrodes over residual limb muscles, which has many practical limitations. Surface EMG signals are a complex blend of all local muscle activations and as such have low fidelity. It is difficult to isolate EMG signals from large surface muscles, and it is impossible to separate out signals from small or deep muscles. In addition, surface EMG signals are contaminated by several sources of noise, including ambient electromagnetic interference, motion artifact, and even electrocardiogram signals.

The limitations of surface electrodes may be overcome by surgically implanting the electrodes into the residual limb and placing them directly onto/into the tissue of the target muscle so that the EMG can be recorded directly at the source with improved signal to noise ratio and without disturbances from the external environment. Typically, such an approach would require skin-penetrating leads to convey the EMG signals from the implanted electrodes to the outside of the body to enable myoelectric prosthesis control, making it unsuitable as a permanent solution.

However, in the e-OPRA (electronic OPRA) device, the percutaneous interface of the OPRA Implant is utilized as a conduit for the wired communication between the inside and the outside of the body, eliminating the need for permanent skin penetrating leads and enabling a permanent solution for myoelectric prosthesis control using implanted electrodes. The e-OPRA system (which is not yet commercially available) developed by Integrum AB (Mölndal, Sweden), is built on decades of developing the OPRA system (which is commercially available).

In addition to electrodes placed on muscle tissue, the e-OPRA device also contains implanted electrodes which are placed directly around peripheral nerves, which may be used for neurostimulation to generate sensory feedback to the user. The e-OPRA device constitutes the only available technology that provides a bidirectional neuromusculoskeletal interface in whichimplanted electrodes both record EMG signals and provide peripheral nerve stimulation for sensory feedback.

Use of the e-OPRA device with the well-documented neuro-electronic capabilities of EMG control systems provides an alternative to traditional socket prostheses by establishing a load-bearing coupling between the patient's skeleton and prosthesis, including wired connection between muscles and nerves in the residual limb and the prosthesis.

The investigators first propose to secure an investigational device exemption (IDE) from the FDA to implant an e-OPRA system. After implantation of the device and targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) surgery in eight subjects with transhumeral amputations, we propose two clinical trials to (i) compare comfort and function with implanted electrodes (e-OPRA) or surface electrodes (OPRA) and (ii) evaluate the effects of providing sensory feedback.

Conditions

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Amputation Amputation, Traumatic Amputation, Surgical Upper Limb Amputation Above Elbow (Injury)

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Investigators propose two randomized cross-over prospective clinical trials, in which each participant serves as his/her own control. Eight individuals with unilateral transhumeral amputations will undergo OI and TMR surgeries (Aim 2). After surgical healing and reinnervation of target muscles, subjects will participate in two clinical trials.

Aim 3, subjects randomly assigned to either OPRA (surface EMG) or e-OPRA (implanted EMG) without sensory feedback. After training, subjects perform a set of outcome measures, then take the device home for 3 months with OPRA system (no EMG). They then return to the lab, complete the same outcome measures, then switch to the other system and repeat this protocol.

Aim 4 follows the same study design, except that subjects will be randomly allocated to e-OPRA with or without sensory feedback, based on somatosensory maps collected in Aim 3. Subjects will use the same device for each condition and use pattern recognition to control the device.
Primary Study Purpose

DEVICE_FEASIBILITY

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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OPRA implant system

OPRA implant with surface EMG and myoelectric prosthesis system.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

OPRA

Intervention Type DEVICE

Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations

eOPRA implant system

eOPRA system with implanted EMG control and myoelectric prosthesis system.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

eOPRA

Intervention Type DEVICE

Electronic Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system for transhumeral amputees.

eOPRA system without sensory feedback

eOPRA implant system without sensory feedback and myoelectric prosthesis system.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

eOPRA without sensory feedback

Intervention Type DEVICE

Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations without sensory feedback.

eOPRA system with sensory feedback

eOPRA implant system with sensory feedback and myoelectric prosthesis system.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

eOPRA with sensory feedback

Intervention Type DEVICE

Electronic Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations with sensory feedback.

Interventions

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eOPRA

Electronic Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system for transhumeral amputees.

Intervention Type DEVICE

OPRA

Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations

Intervention Type DEVICE

eOPRA with sensory feedback

Electronic Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations with sensory feedback.

Intervention Type DEVICE

eOPRA without sensory feedback

Osseoanchored Prostheses for the Rehabilitation of Amputees (e-OPRA) implant system in individuals with transhumeral amputations without sensory feedback.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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OPRA

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Between the ages of 18 and 70 years old
* Unilateral transhumeral level absence
* Candidate for a myoelectric prosthesis (can generate mV level electromyographic EMG signals as detected by surface electrodes).
* Candidate for TMR surgery as verified by surgical team
* Candidate for OPRA surgery as verified by surgical team
* English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

* Significant new injury that would prevent use of a prosthesis: The ability to consistently wear a prosthesis and perform activities of daily living and specific performance tasks is necessary to evaluate the relative benefits of the interventions.
* Cognitive impairment sufficient to adversely affect understanding of, or compliance with, study requirements, ability to communicate experiences, or ability to give informed consent: The ability to understand and comply with requirements of the study is essential in order for the study to generate usable, reliable data. The ability to obtain relevant user feedback through questionnaires and informal discussion adds significant value to this study. These cognitive impairments would be confirmed with the Mini-Mental State exam.
* Proximal nerve injury that would prevent TMR or sensory feedback
* Significant other comorbidity: Any other medical issues or injuries that would preclude completion of the study, use of the prostheses, or that would otherwise prevent acquisition of useable data by researchers. Examples include: injuries to the shoulder, cervical spine or sound side joint pain that would prohibit the participants from being able use a prosthesis. Medical conditions including unregulated high blood pressure or advanced heart disease that would exclude the participant as an appropriate surgical candidate.
* Individuals who smoke. This may interfere with the OPRA process from both bone healing and soft tissue standpoints.
* Individuals with active implants. This has been a restriction of prior FDA IDE to investigate e-OPRA.
* Pregnant women
* Non-English speaking
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

70 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Integrum

INDUSTRY

Sponsor Role collaborator

Northwestern Memorial Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

Responsible Party

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Levi Hargrove

Scientific Chair, Center for Bionic Medicine, Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Levi Hargrove, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab

Locations

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Shirley Ryan Abilitylab

Chicago, Illinois, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Suzanne B Finucane, MS

Role: CONTACT

312-238-0937

Facility Contacts

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Suzanne Finucane, MS

Role: primary

312-238-0937

Other Identifiers

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1UG3NS127063-01A1

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

STU00223908

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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