Innovative Prosthetic Systems for Pediatric Limb Loss to Accommodate Growth

University of Pennsylvania

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Pediatric ALL; Limb Deficiencies

Treatments: Device: iFIT prosthesis

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05230004

849980

Details and patient eligibility

About

An immediate fit adjustable prosthetic system is being investigated for children. The age range being recruited is from 3 years up to 18 years old. Phase I of this study will involve developing a final prototype by conducting in-lab testing on children with limb loss. Phase II will involve a two month home trial to further evaluate the comfort and usability of the socket. Outcome measures include a PEQ-based questionnaire, socket pressure measures and gait analysis.

Full description

Design Phase I is a testing session to obtain feedback on initial prototype designs for the immediate fit prostheses. This research will focus on PI observations and participant feedback through survey and comments during the in-person testing. There may be multiple appointments for participants during this time the device design is refined. In-lab testing only will occur. This information will influence the overall design of the final prosthesis.

PHASE I: For Phase I children with lower limb limb loss (below the knee or above the knee) age 3-12 are being recruited. Subjects should be able to ambulate with or without assistive devices. They will supply measurements and limb images prior to the appointment.

During the initial appointment, each participant will be consented and completed roughly 2-3 hours of device testing. The participant will be fit with an adjustable prosthetic by the PI. After ambulating in the lab, they will give feedback on the comfort, stability and ease of use of the prosthesis. Participants may be asked to return several times for future testing sessions once changes or alterations are made to the prosthesis design to see if these have been effective. The child and their parent will fill out a PEQ based questionnaire on their conventional prosthesis and the investigational device after fitting.

Phase II: We will be recruiting children ages 3-18 with lower limb loss to be with an adjustable prosthesis and wear it for a 2 month home trial. Children may be recruited at other locations such as the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Ai./duPont Nemours in Delaware. The child and their parent will fill out questionnaires on their current prosthesis as well as have pressure data and a gait analysis completed. Once they have worn the prosthesis for 2 months they will return and complete these same outcome measures.

Gait biomechanical analysis: This analysis will be conducted by having several reflective markers placed on the participant's lower body. The subject will then walk a minimum of 6 times along a 10meter walkway while being recorded by the motion analysis system. This will be conducted in both the adjustable and conventional prosthesis.

Internal pressure measurements of the socket using Fujifilm pressure paper will also be obtained. Five spots will be assessed by placing the paper on the participant's liner and then they will put on their socket and walk for 1 minute. This will be completed on both the test and conventional socket.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 3 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Four months post-amputation
• Subjects who have lost a limb due to any cause: trauma, congenital limb loss, dysvascular causes (peripheral vascular disease and diabetes), or malignancy will all be eligible for inclusion.
• Intact, protective sensation in their residual limbs.

Exclusion criteria

• open skin lesions
• excessive pain in the residual limb (phantom pain, residual limb pain, or neuroma)
• neurological disorders (e.g., stroke, severe polyneuropathy) causing weakness in the contralateral leg or marked gait impairment
• inability to follow instructions for trial

Trial design

Primary purpose: Other

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Phase II

Experimental group

Description:

Phase II involves a two month home trial to determine the comfort and utility of an adjustable prosthetic system for children. Children will be fit at several different locations by their prosthetist with the adjustable socket. They will complete several questionnaires on their current device, as well as have internal socket pressures and a gait analysis completed. They will return one month later to complete the same outcome measures on their conventional device. They will also be given activity monitors to track their activity through the duration of the project.

Treatment:

Device: iFIT prosthesis

Phase I

Experimental group

Description:

Phase I involves developing a final design for an adjustable, immediate fit prosthesis. We will recruit 5-10 participants age 3-12 to complete in-lab testing and evaluation of several designs. This testing will lead to the final product design to be tested in Phase II.

Treatment:

Device: iFIT prosthesis