Completely Implanted Endoprosthetic Limb

The Problem

Limb amputation causes severe, extensive sensorimotor impairment. An externally worn limb prosthesis is the standard means to restore part of the missing limb’s function. Unfortunately, according to recent surveys of amputees, limb prostheses still do not move or feel like the biological intact limb. Consequently, as many as 45% and 35% of users of body-powered and motorized prostheses, respectively, eventually abandon their prosthesis.

The Solution

Researchers at The University of Tennessee have developed a fully implanted prosthetic limb that is inserted into the residual bone, which contains one or more joints to allow movement, and has attachment points for tendons to allow for muscle-control of the prosthesis. This device is completely enclosed within the skin and could restore more natural control and sensation of movement than advanced external prostheses. It would alleviate many of the functional and comfort-related drawbacks leading to prosthesis abandonment.

Benefits

Benefit
Promising in vivo data with both jointed and non-jointed devices.
Muscle-controlled prosthesis requires no reliance on external power supplies or batteries.
Potential increase in the restoration of sensorimotor function compared to external prosthesis.
Endoprosthesis permits realistic anatomy reconstruction.
Can be utilized in a variety of locations, including the thumb, finger, and ankle.

More Information

Gregory Sechrist
Technology Manager, Multi Campus Office
865-974-1882 | gsechris@tennessee.edu

UTRF Reference ID: 19064
Patent Status: Patent Pending

woman's artificial arm holding a book, close up photo. blurred image.normal life with a prosthetic limb

Innovators

Dustin Crouch

Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering, UT Knoxville

Dr. Crouch focuses his research on musculoskeletal biomechanics and neuromuscular coordination, physical integration of limb prostheses with the biological residual limb, computer biomechanical models and simulations, and wearable devices for movement assistance.

David Anderson

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies and Professor of Large Animal Surgery, UT College of Veterinary Medicine

I serve faculty, staff, and graduate students by helping them find opportunities to pursue their interests in research and discovery. My goal is to support programs that make a difference for the good of animals and society and to help people achieve their potential as the pursue their passions. My main research focus has been in the area of orthopedics, medical devices, and the integration of technologies to support the return of diseased and injured tissues to normal form and function. Specifically, our team is focused on developing tissue regeneration scaffolds. This is an area of regenerative medicine where we combine properties of synthetic devices with biological processes to create highly functional treatments resulting in fully integrated structures that can restore the form and function of damage tissues. We feel that these technologies will be transformational in the healthcare of people and animals that suffer devastating diseases affecting the muscular and skeletal systems.

Stacy Stephenson

Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Research, UT College of Medicine

Dr. Stephenson serves as a cosmetic and reconstructive surgeon and physician at the University of Tennessee Medical Center. The Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine focuses on novel approaches for re-growing bone and nerves that have been damaged due to injury. Drs. Stephenson and Masi are particularly interested in healing bone and nerve damage in the arms and legs using carbon-based nanomaterials - structures that directly stimulate the growth of fat-derived adult stem cells to become new bone and nerve cells to repair injuries. They have recently shown that, using these materials, new nerve and bone cells can be generated that might one day be used clinically to repair damaged tissues. The laboratory is also investigating whether new blood vessels can develop within these therapeutic nanomaterials to help improve nerve and bone growth leading to enhanced tissue regeneration. Their long-term goal is to improve care and outcomes of patients by using their own body's fat-derived adult stem cells to repair injuries that cannot be treated by traditional methods.