Intelligent Spine Interface for Spinal Cord Injury

(ISI-C Trial)

Overseen By Owen Leary, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Rhode Island Hospital

Must not be taking: Baclofen, Morphine

Disqualifiers: Neuropathy, Cognitive impairment, Pacemaker, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new device called the Intelligent Spine Interface, designed to help people with spinal cord injuries regain movement in their lower limbs. Researchers aim to understand how nerve signals travel within the injured spinal cord using this device. The trial involves imaging, surgery to implant part of the device, and physical rehabilitation. It suits individuals who had a spinal cord injury over a year ago, have completed rehabilitation, and can use their upper body to move with a wheelchair or crutches. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could transform spinal cord injury treatment.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have an intrathecal baclofen or morphine pump, you cannot participate in the trial.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you have a medication-related bleeding disorder or use certain implanted devices, you may not be eligible to participate.

What prior data suggests that this device is safe for spinal cord injury patients?

Research shows limited safety information for the Intelligent Spine Interface (ISI) in spinal cord injury treatments. Only about 30% of trials have shared detailed safety data. This lack of comprehensive safety data from past studies means the device's safety remains partially understood during testing.

For new medical devices like this one, safety information is crucial. Studies on similar spinal cord devices suggest potential benefits but also highlight the need for close monitoring of risks and side effects.

Without full safety data, it's important to recognize this as an early-stage trial. This typically means the device is still under evaluation for safety and effectiveness. Participants should consider this when deciding to join the trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for spinal cord injuries focus on physical rehabilitation or medications to manage symptoms, but the Intelligent Spine Interface is different. This innovative approach works by creating a direct communication link between the brain and the spinal cord using advanced neural interfaces. Researchers are excited because it has the potential to restore voluntary movement and sensation by bypassing damaged areas of the spinal cord, offering new hope for patients with complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries. Unlike current options, which often provide limited recovery, this method could dramatically improve quality of life by enabling more natural control over movement.

What evidence suggests that the Intelligent Spine Interface is effective for spinal cord injury?

Research shows that devices like the Intelligent Spine Interface, studied in this trial, can help people with spinal cord injuries regain movement. One study demonstrated that a digital connection between the brain and spinal cord enabled a person with paralysis to stand and walk naturally in everyday settings. These devices convert brain signals into electrical impulses that trigger movement. Early results suggest this technology could significantly enhance mobility and function for those with spinal cord injuries. Although the full potential is still under investigation, initial findings are promising for restoring movement. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

David Borton, PhD

Principal Investigator

Brown University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults aged 18-65 with spinal cord injury (SCI) between C7/T1 and T10, who are at least one year post-injury. Participants must have completed SCI rehab, be able to use their upper limbs for mobility, and commit to intensive therapy. Exclusions include pregnancy, BMI >30, co-existing neuropathies or disorders, contraindications to MRI or surgery, severe joint contractures or deformities in lower extremities.

Inclusion Criteria

The injury site is at least 4 cm away from the end of the spinal cord.

Must provide informed consent prior to study participation

My spinal cord injury is between my neck and waist and is classified as severe or moderate.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a birth defect or injury affecting my legs.

I have nerve damage in my legs or lower back issues.

I have a blood disorder or take medication that makes surgery unsafe.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Pre-rehabilitation

Baseline review of SCI related standardized outcome measures to understand if the device/treatment is producing the desired effect on the participant's physical function

2-4 weeks

Surgery

Pre-surgery testing, anesthesia administration, lead placement above and below the site of injury, wound closure and observation

1 week

Inpatient Rehabilitation

Daily physical rehabilitation sessions in specialized gaits lab, neurostimulation protocol, follow-up SCI-related outcome measures review

4-6 months

Surgery

Surgically implanted leads will be removed

1 week

Follow-up

Follow-up physical and neurological exams to assess if there is a change in function since baseline

4-8 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Intelligent Spine Interface

Trial Overview The study tests a new device called Intelligent Spine Interface (ISI-C), designed to help SCI patients regain lower limb function by understanding nervous system signals within the spinal cord. It involves imaging studies like X-rays, surgical implantation of ISI-C, body function assessments (balance/movement/gait), and physical rehabilitation.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: SCI Patient Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Complete or Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) patients with Asia Impairment Score (AIS) of A or B between the levels of C7/T1 and T10

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Rhode Island Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

275

Recruited

71,400+

US Department of Veterans Affairs

Collaborator

Trials

881

Recruited

502,000+

Brown University

Collaborator

Trials

480

Recruited

724,000+

Intel Corporation

Industry Sponsor

Trials

10

Recruited

28,800+

Nuvectra

Industry Sponsor

Trials

3

Recruited

110+

Boston Scientific Corporation

Industry Sponsor

Trials

758

Recruited

867,000+

Michael F. Mahoney

Boston Scientific Corporation

Chief Executive Officer since 2016

MBA from Wake Forest University, BBA in Finance from the University of Iowa

Kenneth Stein

Boston Scientific Corporation

Chief Medical Officer since 2020

MD from Harvard Medical School, MMSc in Clinical Investigation from Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology

Published Research Related to This Trial

The development of a miniaturized brain-machine-spinal cord interface (BMSI) shows promise for restoring mobility in individuals with spinal cord injuries by converting neural signals into electrical stimuli for the spinal cord.

In a proof-of-concept study with anesthetized rats, the BMSI successfully activated distinct muscle patterns through intraspinal microstimulation, demonstrating the potential for real-time control of movement based on brain activity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cortical control of intraspinal microstimulation: Toward a new approach for restoration of function after spinal cord injury. Shahdoost, S., Frost, S., Dunham, C., et al.[2020]

In a study of 444 adults with traumatic spinal cord injury, 79.3% experienced adverse events, with urinary tract infections and pneumonia being the most common, highlighting the high risk of complications in this patient group.

Older age and more severe injuries were linked to increased adverse events, while certain modifiable comorbidities, like substance use and psychiatric conditions, were associated with specific risks such as delirium and pneumonia, suggesting that addressing these factors could help reduce complications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Previously Identified Common Post-Injury Adverse Events in Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury-Validation of Existing Literature and Relation to Selected Potentially Modifiable Comorbidities: A Prospective Canadian Cohort Study. Marion, TE., Rivers, CS., Kurban, D., et al.[2019]

In a study of 171 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), over 77% experienced adverse events (AEs) during acute hospital care, with urinary tract infections and pneumonias being the most common, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and prevention strategies.

The presence of certain AEs, such as decubitus ulcers and delirium, significantly increased the length of hospital stay, indicating that these complications can lead to longer recovery times, although acute AEs did not impact health-related quality of life at the time of discharge.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Incidence of acute care adverse events and long-term health-related quality of life in patients with TSCI. Street, JT., Noonan, VK., Cheung, A., et al.[2015]

In a study involving eight human subjects, three user interfaces (head orientation, EMG from head and neck muscles, and a joystick) were tested for controlling a robotic arm in 3D space, showing that EMG commands could be a viable option for individuals with high tetraplegia.

Despite the sequential command strategy used by participants, which affected performance, EMG-based commands demonstrated potential for effective control of robotic arms, making it a promising candidate for future neuroprosthetic applications.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of head orientation and neck muscle EMG signals as three-dimensional command sources. Williams, MR., Kirsch, RF.[2018]

A brain-spine interface (BSI) was successfully developed to restore communication between the brain and spinal cord, allowing an individual with chronic tetraplegia to stand and walk naturally in various settings.

The BSI demonstrated high reliability over a year of use, and it not only enabled movement but also contributed to neurological recovery, allowing the participant to walk with crutches even when the device was turned off.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain-spine interface. Lorach, H., Galvez, A., Spagnolo, V., et al.[2023]

Bioelectronic stimulation of the spinal cord shows promise in restoring motor function after spinal cord injuries, with advancements in technology allowing for better recording and generation of control signals from the uninjured spinal cord.

Challenges remain in the clinical application of spinal cord bioelectronic interfaces, including device manufacturing, surgical implantation, and managing the body's reaction to foreign materials, but solutions are being explored to improve long-term efficacy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Spinal cord bioelectronic interfaces: opportunities in neural recording and clinical challenges. Jiang, L., Woodington, B., Carnicer-Lombarte, A., et al.[2022]

Three cases of patients with high cervical cord injuries demonstrated the effectiveness of specialized computer interfaces for cursor control and clicking: a webcam-based Camera Mouse for a C4 patient, SmartNav 4AT for a C3 patient, and IntegraMouse for a C1 patient.

These findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate input devices tailored to individual capabilities, which can significantly enhance rehabilitation and communication for patients with severe mobility limitations.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The selection of the appropriate computer interface device for patients with high cervical cord injury. Kim, DG., Lee, BS., Lim, SE., et al.[2021]

The head movement image (HMI)-controlled computer mouse system significantly outperformed the infrared-controlled mouse system in various tasks during a clinical trial with nine spinal cord injured (SCI) participants, showing statistically significant improvements (p<0.05).

This new system allows individuals with disabilities to control the mouse cursor simply by wearing a headset and moving their heads, enhancing input speed and accessibility for users.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A head movement image (HMI)-controlled computer mouse for people with disabilities. Chen, YL., Chen, WL., Kuo, TS., et al.[2019]

The development of a miniaturized brain-machine-spinal cord interface (BMSI) aims to restore mobility in individuals with spinal cord injuries by converting brain signals into electrical stimuli for the spinal cord, showing promise for functional recovery.

Initial studies in rats with spinal cord injuries demonstrate that the corticospinal interface can effectively record neural activity and stimulate muscle movement, indicating a potential pathway for re-establishing communication between the brain and spinal cord.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Towards a miniaturized brain-machine-spinal cord interface (BMSI) for restoration of function after spinal cord injury. Shahdoost, S., Frost, S., Van Acker, G., et al.[2020]

The new pelvic orthosis device allows for direct mechanical interaction with the skeleton of rats during brain machine interface and rehabilitation studies without disrupting their normal stepping, as validated by statistical analysis of stepping parameters in 8 rats before and after implantation.

This method improves upon existing techniques by eliminating the need for slings or cuffs, which can alter sensory feedback, and supports efficient integration with robotic systems for enhanced rehabilitation and training in both intact and spinal cord injury models.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A pelvic implant orthosis in rodents, for spinal cord injury rehabilitation, and for brain machine interface research: construction, surgical implantation and validation. Udoekwere, UI., Oza, CS., Giszter, SF.[2021]

Only 30% of the 40 reviewed clinical trials on acute spinal cord injury provided satisfactory reporting of adverse events, indicating a significant gap in safety information that is crucial for assessing risk and designing future studies.

A staggering 82.5% of trials failed to report laboratory-defined toxicity satisfactorily, highlighting the need for improved standards in safety reporting to ensure comprehensive understanding of treatment risks.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Systematic Review of Safety Reporting in Acute Spinal Cord Injury Clinical Trials: Challenges and Recommendations. Aspinall, P., Harrison, L., Scheuren, P., et al.[2023]

In a review of 183 patients over a 10-year period, 12.5% experienced iatrogenic spinal cord injuries (SCIs), primarily due to cervical spinal stenosis surgeries, indicating a significant risk associated with certain medical procedures.

Despite a low annual incidence rate of 2.3 per 1,000,000, the consequences of iatrogenic SCIs are severe, with most patients showing incomplete injuries and no complete recoveries, highlighting the need for increased awareness and preventive measures in medical practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Epidemiology of persistent iatrogenic spinal cord injuries in Western Norway. Æsøy, MS., Solvang, SH., Grønning, M., et al.[2021]

The Model Spinal Cord Injury Systems (MSCIS) program has evolved since 1970, shifting its research focus from immediate medical treatments post-injury to broader social and environmental issues affecting individuals with spinal cord injuries, reflecting changing national priorities.

Current MSCIS research emphasizes advancements in medicine and technology aimed at improving recovery and physical functioning, which has raised care standards for spinal cord injury and encouraged further research and funding in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Contributions from the model systems programs to spinal cord injury research. Tate, DG., Forchheimer, M.[2019]

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04302259

Study Details | Intelligent Spine Interface, Clinical (ISI-C) This research study is being done to test a new device developed for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. The purpose of this study is to collect data on how ...

2. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06094-5

Walking naturally after spinal cord injury using a brain– ... A digital bridge between the brain and spinal cord that enabled an individual with chronic tetraplegia to stand and walk naturally in community settings.

3. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-spinal-cord-injuries-8-2021-055c7

Intelligent Spine Interface for Spinal Cord Injury (ISI-C Trial) Research shows that miniaturized neural interfaces can help restore function and mobility in spinal cord injuries by converting brain signals into electrical ...

4. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11449141/

A direct spinal cord–computer interface enables the control of ... This non-invasive neural interface allows the investigation of motor neuron changes after the injury and has the potential to promote movement restoration.

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S135964462500100X

Navigating the complexities of spinal cord injury This review covers the pathophysiology of SCI, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies currently being researched, as well as various interventions ...

6. ibeam.brown.edu ibeam.brown.edu/research-projects/intelligent-spine-interface

Intelligent Spine Interface The Intelligent Spine Interface (ISI) research program aims to bridge the gap in spinal cord injury through integration of advanced AI/ML strategies, ...