Current Projects
Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces (RPNIs) to Enhance Function and Sensation in People with Transfemoral Amputation
Description: This project will determine the extent to which RPNIs enable generation of high-fidelity motor control signals for an advanced above-knee prosthesis. We will also determine whether stimulation of RPNIs provides meaningful sensory feedback that can enhance stability. [Abstract]
Lab Contact: Jake Kanetis, jkanetis@umich.edu
Lab Members: Martin Kilbane
Collaborators: Theodore Kung, M.D., Paul Cederna, M.D., Cindy Chestek, Ph.D., Elliott Rouse, Ph.D., Jeffrey Wensman, BSME, CPO
Funding: Department of Defense, Award Period: Sept 2023 – Aug 2027
Assessment of the control and utility of multi-grip prosthetic hands
Description: This project will develop and validate an outcome assessment (the "Coffee Task") for multi-grip prosthetic control. We will also establish normative values for upper limb prosthesis users. [Abstract]
Lab Contact: Mira Mutnick, mmutnick@umich.edu
Funding: Department of Defense, Award Period: Feb 2023 – Feb 2025
Assessing the role of socket trim line on reactive balance in people with transfemoral amputation
Description: This study will determine if socket trim line affects the ability to utilize hip musculature and thus how people with transfemoral amputations respond to destabilizing forces. [Abstract]
Lab contact: Kristin Perrin, kperrin@umich.edu
Lab members: Kristin Perrin, Boer Chen
Collaborators: Noah Rosenblatt, Ph.D.
Funding: Department of Defense, Award Period: Sept 2022 – Sept 2024
A holistic human-in-the-loop framework for optimizing a personalized prosthetic arm
Description: This project will develop a prosthesis emulator that moves the motor off board. This will enable us to optimize prosthetic function without the confounder of added weight. [project overview]
Lab Contact: CJ Nwokeabia. cnwoke@umich.edu
Collaborators: Jiyeon Kang, Ph.D.
Funding: National Science Foundation, Award Period: Sept 2022 – Sept 2025
Socket fit sensing and management system
Description: The goal of this project is to further the development and testing of a socket-fit sensing system that can adapt to patient-specific changes in limb volume and can help prosthesis users self-manage their socket fit during post-amputation rehabilitation care and then during follow-up home use. This expands on an existing device developed by Liberating Technologies, Inc. (https://www.liberatingtech.com/active-projects/vasock/)
Lab Contact: Kristin Perrin: kperrin@umich.edu
Collaborators: Liberating Technologies, Inc., Andy Hansen, University of Minnesota
Funding: Department of Defense, Award Period: Sept 2020 – Sept 2024
A comparative assessment of conventional and adjustable transfemoral prosthetic sockets
Description: The objective of the proposed work was to enhance understanding of the potential benefits of adjustable sockets and inform clinical decision making. We are exploring a range of outcomes that have been found to be important for prostheses including comfort, daily activity, functional assessments and quality of life measures. [Abstract]
Lab Contact: Martin Kilbane, mkilbane@umich.edu
Lab members: Jordan Kartes, Kristin Perrin
Collaborators: Noah Rosenblatt, Ph.D., Jeffrey Wensman, CPO, Tony Guitierrez, C.P.
Funding: Department of Defense, Award Period: Sept 2018 – Sept 2023
Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interfaces for Restoring Individual Finger Movement in People with Upper Limb Amputations
Description: This study will investigate use regenerative peripheral nerve interfaces to control dexterous prosthetic hands in three people with upper limb loss.
Lab Contact: CJ Nwokeabia cnwoke@umich.edu
Lab members: Jake Kanetis, Yi Liang
Collaborators: Cindy Chestek, Ph.D., Paul Cederna, M.D., Alex Vaskov, Ph.D.
Funding: National Institutes of Health, Award Period: July 2018 - June 2024