RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07673328

Enhancing Voluntary Motion in Broad Patient Populations With Modular Powered Orthoses Renewal

Sponsor

University of Michigan

Enrollment

65 participants

Start Date

Jul 18, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

osteoarthritic knee pain Lower-limb Orthoses Osteoarthritis(OA) of the knee

Summary

The overall goal of this project is to establish a novel design and control paradigm for modular, partial-assist powered orthoses (exoskeletons) to enhance voluntary lower-limb motion and manage pain in broad patient populations. Building upon a previous study period that addressed weakness from advanced age or muscle fatigue, this current period extends the technology to novel powered unloader orthoses designed to manage knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain. The investigators hypothesize that by providing 15-30% of biological joint torque, these motorized devices can reduce muscular contributions to painful loads on the joint's surfaces during activities of daily living (ADLs). The project aims to develop a task-agnostic, neural network-based controller and establish the feasibility of reducing knee pain and muscle effort in individuals with multi-compartment knee osteoarthritis.

Eligibility

Min Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 85 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This clinical trial is studying a medical device called Modular powered orthosis for people with lower-limb orthoses, osteoarthritis(oa) of the knee, and other related conditions. The study is currently recruiting participants at 1 location. People eligible for this study include aged 18 Years to 85 Years.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DEVICEModular powered orthosis

This study will investigate modular, lower-limb, powered orthoses that fit to user-specific weakened joints and control force/torque in a manner that enhances voluntary motion in broad patient populations. The central hypothesis is that high-torque, low-inertia motor systems controlled with energetic objectives will enable modular powered orthoses to partially assist the joints. High-torque electric motors combined with minimal transmissions can be freely rotated (i.e., backdriven) by human joints, allowing the use of an emerging torque control method called energy shaping to reduce the perceived weight/inertia of the body during any motion. By mounting these modular actuators to commercial orthoses, this technology will be easily prescribed/configured by clinicians.