Feasibility of Implantable Myoelectric Sensors to Control Upper Limb Prostheses

"Once subjects recover from surgical implantation of IMES (approximately two weeks), they will practice IMES control using a bench-top IMES trainer for approximately a month. As soon as the subject's custom-fit IMES Prosthesis is available, it will be fitted and programmed. Subjects will then begin six months of prosthetic training. Month 1 training entails sessions with an Occupational Therapists 4-5 times per week. Months 2-6 Training entail meeting with an Occupational Therapist twice a month. During training, subject will learn how to contract residual musculature in the amputated limb to control movements of an electromechanical wrist and hand. The therapeutic goal is to develop skills needed to perform Activities of Daily Living using the IMES prosthesis.~After completing six months of training, subjects will be given the option to continue using their IMES Prosthesis for another sixteen months."