Magnetic beads in the leg could make bionic limbs respond better
NCT ID NCT07195461
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study tests whether small magnetic beads implanted in the leg can help people with below-knee amputations control a bionic prosthetic more naturally. Up to 5 participants will have the beads placed during amputation or revision surgery. Researchers will measure walking speed and obstacle course performance to see if the magnetic tracking system improves control compared to standard prosthetic controllers.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Magnetic Bead Tracking System (implanted magnetic beads and external tracking device)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to more natural and faster walking for people with below-knee amputations using bionic prosthetics.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early feasibility study with only 3-5 participants. The technology may not work as hoped, and there are risks from surgery and the implanted beads.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Early phase 1
The earliest testing in people: a first look at safety, in a very small group.
- Participants
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About 3 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Sep 2025
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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22 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or Female age 22-65 at the time of surgery. * The patient must already have an existing unilateral or bilateral transtibial amputation requiring revision or a medical condition requiring performance of a unilateral or bilateral transtibial amputation. * If the patient does not already have an amputation, the patient must have undergone independent consultation with a lower extremity surgical specialist to ensure they have exhausted all limb salvage options prior to undergoing amputation, as well as a psychiatric evaluation to ensure appropriate capacity and volition, and a pain medicine evaluation to ensure that all pain control options outside of amputation have been addressed. * The patient must have the ability to ambulate at variable cadence (an expected lower extremity prosthesis functional level of K3 or above, as determined by a trained and certified prosthetist and confirmed by study investigators, through use of a patient history and physical examination). * The patient must have adequate soft tissue bulk and muscle mass present in the operative limb to support appropriate wound healing. * The patient must demonstrate volitional activation of the muscles into which magnet placement is intended. * In the opinion of the investigator, the patient must likely be able to tolerate the pressure of a prosthetic socket during ambulation post-operatively. * In the opinion of the investigator, the patient must have absence of any physical limitations, addictive diseases or underlying medical conditions that may preclude the patient from being a good study candidate. * The patient must have willingness, ability and commitment to participate in baseline and follow-up evaluations for the full length of the study. * The patient must have willingness and ability to provide informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with any active skin disease in the subject limb. * Patients with severe comorbidity, atypical skeletal anatomy, or poor general physical/mental health that, in the opinion of the Investigator, will not allow the patients to be a good study candidate (i.e., other disease processes, mental capacity, substance abuse, shortened life. expectancy, vulnerable patient population, etc.). * Patients with the following concurrent diseases: active infection or dormant bacteria, metabolic bone disease and/or metastatic lesions in the residual tibia. * Patients weighing over 285 lbs. with the prosthesis, at time of screening. * Patients for whom skeletal growth is not complete. Completed skeletal growth is defined through the finding of generally closed epiphyseal zones on X-ray. * Patients with advanced atrophic muscle and/or compromised soft tissue coverage in the operative limb. * Patients with evidence of or a documented history of severe peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus (type I or type II), skin diseases, neuropathy or neuropathic disease and severe phantom pain, or osteoporosis, such that, in the opinion of the investigator, will not allow the patient to be a good study candidate. * Patient with a history of systemically administered corticosteroids, immune-suppressive therapy or chemotherapy drugs within six (6) months of implant surgery. * Patients with a known need of future MRIs. * Patients currently involved in another clinical study where that participation may conflict or interfere with the treatment, follow-up or results of this clinical study. * Active smokers will be excluded from candidacy; those patients willing to undergo tobacco cessation will need to be completely abstinent from tobacco use for at least 6 weeks preoperatively. * Women who are pregnant, lactating or planning a pregnancy during the first twelve (12) months of the post-surgical follow-up. * Patient having an allergy to any component of the device. * Patients with concurrent illness, disability or geographical residence that would hamper attendance at required study visits.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Brigham and Women's Hospital
RECRUITINGBoston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States
More trials for these conditions
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- Battle of the amputations: which below-knee surgery gives better results?
- New adjustable socket could help veterans walk more comfortably
- New gait training aims to help veterans walk better after amputation