Phantom Neuro announced that the first participants in its CYBORG early feasibility study have undergone implantation of Phantom X, a device placed under the skin in the residual limb to turn muscle signals into wireless commands for a prosthetic limb. CYBORG is an ongoing study evaluating the safety, performance, and usability of Phantom X in people with upper-limb loss.
The implants were placed during outpatient procedures lasting roughly an hour each, without the use of general anesthesia. Michael Lo, MD, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, performed the procedures at Cabrini Health in Melbourne, Australia. Prosthetic care, occupational therapy, and testing are provided by ProMotion Prosthetics and Enable Rehab.
“Most people who have lost their limbs still have the ability to control their limbs, down to the individual fingers, in their mind’s eye,” said Connor Glass, MD, founder and CEO, Phantom Neuro. “This is what is colloquially known as a phantom limb—the remaining perception of one’s limb when it is no longer physically there. Our goal is to capture signals associated with intended movements of that phantom limb and translate them into actual movements of a robotic limb. Our goal goes beyond recreating limb function. It is doing so in a safe and cost-effective way, with an experience that looks more like a cosmetic procedure than it does neurosurgery. This is a significant step towards achieving that goal.”
Phantom X uses a sensor device placed beneath the skin, over the muscles in the residual limb. When a person attempts to move their missing fingers and wrist, those remaining muscles generate electrical signals. The system detects and interprets those signals, ultimately translating them into commands for a compatible prosthetic device. By doing so, a person controls robotic limbs in the exact same manner as intact limbs.
“This study is an opportunity to evaluate everything from the surgical procedure to the technology itself and how these innovations can impact participants’ lives over time,” said Lo. “What excites me most about this technology is the scale of impact that is possible due to the relative simplicity of the surgical procedure. Great technology that is safe and easy to implement can impact a lot of people’s lives.”
The implantations are an early clinical milestone. The study is ongoing, and conclusions about the implanted system’s safety, effectiveness, and ability to improve prosthetic control will depend on further evaluation. Phantom X is investigational and is not approved for commercial use.
