Can an Array of Micro-electrodes Implanted in a Human Nerve Record Neural Signals and Provide Feedback?

Overview

The investigators will investigate the device feasibility of human peripheral nerves and muscles recording and stimulation using percutaneous Utah Slanted Electrode Arrays (pUSEAs) implanted into residual peripheral arm nerves and EMG electrodes implanted in the residual muscles of patients with limb amputations in order to determine the ability of the HAPTIX (Hand Proprioception and Touch Interfaces) System to control an upper-extremity prosthesis, and to provide a sense of cutaneous touch and muscle proprioceptive feedback to the amputee.

The investigators will assess the functional capability of microelectrode slanted arrays with a large number of electrodes implanted into peripheral nerves of patients with upper-limb transradial amputations. The investigators hypothesize that recording neural signals from individual electrodes will provide selective motor information that is adequate to allow control over artificial limbs with many moving parts, i.e., wrist, and individually moving digits. These studies will also investigate to what extent microstimulation can provide sensory feedback from a prosthetic limb. The HAPTIX System study will investigate the safety and efficacy of using electromyography (EMG), plus neural recording and nerve stimulation, to control and provide cutaneous and proprioceptive feedback from a dexterous, motorized and sensorized, upper-extremity prosthesis (e.g., the DEKA LUKE arm) used by amputees. The HAPTIX System is intended to permit the function of an upper-extremity prosthesis to assist in activities of daily living (ADLs) using neurostimulation and recording of EMG and neural signals to control the prosthesis, and evoke touch sensation and proprioception in upper-extremity amputees with DEKA LUKE sensorized upper extremity prosthesis. The HAPTIX System study is an early feasibility study (EFS) of the use of a combination of EMG recording electrodes, neural recording and stimulating electrodes, and external electronics and algorithms designed to provide sensory and proprioceptive feedback to the amputee, and to control movements of a prosthetic hand. EMG signals from the residual forearm muscles of amputees will be recorded using up to 8 custom bipolar PermaLoc® electrodes. The incorporation of these electrodes into the HAPTIX System is described in 001\_G190131A002\_Amended\_Device Description. Nerve signals will also be recorded using up to 3 percutaneous Utah Slanted Electrode Arrays (pUSEAs), whose electrode tips will be implanted intrafascicularly in residual arm nerves. Present-version pUSEAs utilize a transcutaneous lead and extracorporeal connector. Motor signals from the nerve will contribute to decoding motor intents decoded to control an advanced prosthetic hand. Nerve stimulation to evoke sensory perceptions will be provided by passing current through individual pUSEA electrodes, separately or in combination.