Lightweight powered knee and ankle prosthesis for people with above‑knee amputation
Lightweight Powered Prosthesis for Above-knee Amputees
This project will try a lighter motorized knee paired with different ankle parts and user-control systems to help people with above‑knee amputations walk more naturally and with less effort.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11326746 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You'll be fitted with a new lightweight powered knee prosthesis and try it with different ankle components and user-control software that responds to your intended movements. The team will measure how you walk, climb stairs, and stand up, and collect your feedback about comfort, balance, and effort. Testing will include lab motion measurements and real-world walking to see how the device affects daily mobility. The aim is to find device combinations that reduce compensatory movements and lower the risk of pain or joint problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with a unilateral above‑knee (transfemoral) amputation who are medically stable and can use a prosthesis, especially those who struggle with balance, stairs, or secondary pain.
Not a fit: People who are non‑ambulatory, have bilateral above‑knee amputations, severe medical conditions that preclude prosthesis use, or major skin/socket issues may not benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let people with above‑knee amputations walk more naturally, reduce back pain and joint wear, and improve everyday mobility and independence.
How similar studies have performed: Previous powered prostheses have shown promise for improving gait but were often too heavy or relied on awkward controls, so this lighter, volitionally controlled approach is promising though not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
Salt Lake City, United States
- Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah — Salt Lake City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lenzi, Tommaso — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Lenzi, Tommaso
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.