New transradial socket and harness design to improve comfort and use for veterans
Official title: The Advancement of a New Variable-Compliance Socket and Frame System forTransradial Amputees to Optimize Socket Fit and Upper Limb Function
Funded at Veterans Health Administration · NIH-11422021 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new socket and harness system (K-Socket-Harness) is being developed and tested to fit better and feel more comfortable for veterans with transradial amputations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Veterans Health Administration NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | November 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004257-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11422021 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Veterans with transradial amputations who are current users or candidates for a prosthetic socket and harness system.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a transradial amputation or who do not use a harnessed socket may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to build on an innovative socket and harness design to improve fit for a broader group of veterans with transradial amputations. It uses a participatory action design and engineering approach, involving veterans in refining the design through three phases. In Phase 1, the design is advanced for manufacturing. In Phase 2, experienced veterans test the improved design and provide feedback for revisions. In Phase 3, a larger group compares the improved design to participants’ current prostheses to detect any meaningful differences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the new K-Socket-Harness could increase comfort and wearing time, potentially improving daily function for veterans with transradial amputations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous early results suggesting feasibility exist, with iterative design and user feedback guiding improvements.
Where this research is happening
-
Veterans Health Administration
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Rory a. — Veterans Health Administration
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Rory a.
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.