Natural Sensation of Foot-Floor Interactions for Transfemoral Amputees via Neural Stimulation

Abstract

The objective of this project is to provide useful sensation of prosthetic foot-floor interactions to transfemoral amputees by directly interfacing with the nervous system in the residuum. Amputees are slow to adapt to loss of lower limb sensation, and fall-related fear and anxiety are all life-long consequences of amputation. Over this reporting period, we have identified and enrolled a 50-year-old Army Veteran with a left knee disarticulation who will be our first implant recipient. Our technical and clinical teams have worked to develop a surgical plan in which the ideal incision locations for the internal connectors and percutaneous exit sites were determined. We anticipate the implant surgery to be completed by the end of 2021. Furthermore, we have accessed and streamed internal sensor data from the Genium prosthesis in real time and finalized the integration of the signals with our external stimulator controller. This completed the proposed elements of the sensory neuroprosthesis that will provide users with sensations of foot-floor interactions as well as the knee joint angle. We have expanded their outreach and are actively working to identify new potential sources of participant referrals by contacting clinicians and prosthetists both locally and nationally. Psychometric and functional test continues with previously enrolled transtibial participants.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2023
Accession Number
AD1229670

Entities

People

  • Ronald J Triolo

Organizations

  • Veterans Administration Medical Center

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Neuroscience
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.