New Technology for Improved Prosthetic Limbs
Regenerative Ultramicroelectrode arrays for sensory-motor specific interfacing
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · NIH-11160718
This project aims to create a new type of nerve interface to help people with amputations control their prosthetic limbs more naturally and feel sensations.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (TUCSON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11160718 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Current prosthetic limbs often rely on muscle signals that can be unreliable, making them hard to control and lacking natural feeling. This project is developing a special tiny electrode system that can connect directly with nerves in the residual limb. By combining these tiny electrodes with molecular guidance, the goal is to specifically target the nerves responsible for movement and sensation. This could lead to prosthetic limbs that feel more like a natural part of the body, offering better control and more realistic feedback.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults aged 21 and older who have experienced upper limb amputation and are interested in advanced prosthetic technologies.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have an amputation or are not candidates for advanced neural interfaces would not directly benefit from this specific technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could allow amputees to control their prosthetic limbs with greater precision and experience more natural sensory feedback, significantly improving their quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: This project uses novel strategies, including a recently developed ultra-thin multielectrode array and molecular guidance cues, to address current challenges in neural interfaces.
Where this research is happening
TUCSON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA — TUCSON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: ROMERO-ORTEGA, MARIO IGNACIO — UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- Study coordinator: ROMERO-ORTEGA, MARIO IGNACIO
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.