Improving control and feedback for prosthetic hands using nerve stimulation
Proprioceptive Sensorimotor Integration with Neural Interfaces for Hand Prostheses
This study is exploring how to make prosthetic hands feel more natural for Veterans who have lost their upper limbs by using special implants that help them sense their hand's position and movement, making it easier to control their prosthetics like they would their own hands.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10938037 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how to enhance the functionality of prosthetic hands for Veterans with upper limb loss by restoring proprioception, the sense of limb position and movement, through neural stimulation. The study will involve implanting neural interfaces in participants to provide intuitive control and sensory feedback, allowing them to better integrate their prosthetic devices with their natural motor control. By understanding how proprioceptive inputs can be matched with prosthesis control, the research aims to create a more natural experience for users. Six participants with specific types of limb loss will be involved in this innovative approach to prosthetic technology.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans who have experienced unilateral trans-radial or trans-humeral limb loss.
Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced upper limb loss or those with other types of limb loss may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for amputees by providing them with a more natural and intuitive way to control their prosthetic hands.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of using neural interfaces for prosthetics has shown promise, the specific approach of restoring proprioception through peripheral nerve stimulation is largely novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graczyk, Emily L — Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Graczyk, Emily L
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 below.