Nerve cap aims to ease pain after limb loss
NCT ID NCT04865679
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a special nerve cap (Axoguard Large-Diameter Nerve Cap) in 15 adults who have had a limb injury or amputation. The cap is placed over the cut nerve end to protect it and may help reduce chronic nerve pain. The goal is to see if the cap is safe and works well before a planned follow-up nerve surgery.
Why investors are watching
Axogen is running a small pilot study of its Axoguard Large-Diameter Nerve Cap, a device meant to protect severed nerve endings after limb trauma or amputation when immediate nerve repair is not possible. With only 15 participants, this readout tests whether the device is tolerable and feasible to use, and for a small-cap company, a positive result would support expanding its product line into a new size range. A negative result would raise questions about the device's usefulness in this setting.
If it works: A positive result could support Axogen's case for offering the nerve cap in larger sizes, potentially broadening the product's use among surgeons treating amputations and severe limb injuries. It could also strengthen the company's overall product story with clinicians.
If it fails: A failure or delay could slow the product's path to wider use and cast doubt on the device's value in this specific patient group. Pilot studies often fail to show clear benefits, so a weak result would not be unusual.
AI-written from the trial record. Speculative, and not investment advice.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 15 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Mar 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 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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18 to 80 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: Potential Subjects MUST: 1. Sign and date an IRB-approved written Informed Consent Form prior to initiation of any study procedures; 2. Be an adult male or female ≥ 18 and ≤ 80 years of age; 3. Present for surgery with either: 1. Limb trauma and/or planned amputation of a limb and be candidates who are planned for a secondary nerve surgery such as Targeted Muscle Reinnervation (TMR) or Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface (RPNI) procedures within 6-12 months from time of amputation, or; 2. A previous amputation and be undergoing surgery to address nerve ends; 4. Have at least one nerve end measuring greater than 4 mm and less than 7 mm in diameter after debridement and hemostasis of the proximal nerve stump; 5. Have sufficient soft tissue available to be adequately covered by the Axoguard Nerve Cap; 6. Be willing and able to comply with all aspects of the treatment and follow-up assessments and to return for all required study visits throughout the study duration. Exclusion Criteria: Potential Subjects MUST NOT: 1. Currently undergoing or are expected to undergo treatment with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or other known treatment that affects the growth of neural and/or vascular tissues; 2. Have signs and symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy from previous chemotherapy; 3. Be immunosuppressed or have planned immunosuppressive therapy during the duration of the study; 4. Current uncontrolled local or systemic infection as indicated by positive blood culture or other pathological indicators of infection; 5. Be contraindicated for soft tissue implants. This includes but is not limited to any pathology that would limit the blood supply to the target area or otherwise compromise healing; 6. Have a life expectancy of less than 15-months; 7. Have a history of or be planning to undergo radiotherapy in the area of the end-neuroma; 8. Have bony exostosis of the affected limb that is not treated at the time of nerve cap placement; 9. Have uncontrolled Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with HbA1c of 8% or greater or those with diabetic neuropathy in the target area or proximal to the amputation site; 10. Have a history of idiopathic neuropathy/radiculopathy, known sciatica or chronic back pain; 11. Documented history of centralized nerve pain that does not respond to a peripheral nerve block in the affected limb; 12. Have a known allergy to anesthetic agents; 13. Have a known sensitivity to porcine-derived products; 14. Be currently enrolled or have been enrolled in another interventional clinical research study within the past 30 days (at time of consent); or 15. Be deemed unsuitable for inclusion in the study at the discretion of the investigator.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
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Texas Tech University, Health Science Center
Lubbock, Texas, 79430, United States
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