Clinical Trials of Pattern Recognition, Electrode Grid, RIC Arm in TMR Subjects

Subjects who participate return to RIC several times (approximately 6-8 times) to undergo any necessary training and testing. Each visit will last from 2-5 days. The study will include use of up to three different prosthesis control systems at home for approximately 6 weeks each. The order of the systems will be randomized.

The first visit will allow us to cast the subject's residual limb for a socket and measure for a gel liner to be made with embedded electrode contacts prior to the next return. The socket interface will be fit for optimal comfort and a suspension sleeve and/or other straps, fasters, etc to best hold the prosthesis securely on the residual limb for the activities required. Unless changes are needed due to changes in limb volume, the same socket can be used for all phases of the study. During the initial and subsequent visits, subjects may practice the various control methods using a virtual reality system. EMG data and virtual "games" will be used to practice the control and will provide quantitative data that can be used to assess the various control methods mathematically, without the prosthesis.

Each phase of the study (up to 4 phases), will include preliminary training and testing at RIC lasting for 1-5 days, followed by approximately 6 weeks of at-home use of the system. After this time subjects will return to the RIC for 2-3 days of testing. They will then be trained and pre-tested in use of the next control during the same visit or at a later date. These systems include a commercially available myoelectric prosthesis with standard control, a commercially available device with advanced control (called pattern recognition), a commercially available device with pattern recognition and a new electrode configuration. Photographs or video recordings will be made during participation in this research study. These pictures and video recordings are essential for proper data analysis.

During the at-home use periods subjects will go about their daily business using the test prosthesis and will be asked document the experience with the prosthesis via weekly phone communication with study staff. Dates/times will be coordinated during normal business hours At the end of the at-home use period subjects will return to RIC for 3-5 days, where they will be asked to complete a questionnaire about how the prosthesis worked, and will undergo some non-invasive testing to see how well they can control and use the prosthesis.