Developing wearable devices to restore touch sensation for amputees and stroke patients
Official title: Multipoint contact pressure for haptic sensory prostheses
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11138324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new wearable devices that can help people who have lost their sense of touch, like those with amputations or conditions like diabetes or stroke, by using special technology to create gentle vibrations and pressure that mimic real sensations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $173,700 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB036190-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11138324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced loss of touch sensation due to amputation, diabetes, or stroke.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with intact sensory function or those whose conditions do not affect their sense of touch may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating wearable devices that can simulate the sense of touch for individuals who have lost this ability due to conditions like amputation, diabetes, or stroke. By using advanced 3D printing techniques, the project aims to develop soft actuators that can provide haptic feedback, mimicking the sensations of pressure and vibration. The devices will be designed to stimulate alternative body parts, helping to restore some level of sensory experience. The research will involve testing different pressure intensities and contact methods to optimize the effectiveness of these haptic sensory prostheses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by restoring their sense of touch and enhancing their ability to perform daily tasks.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using haptic feedback devices for sensory restoration, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Okamura, Allison Mariko — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Okamura, Allison Mariko
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.