NEWS RELEASE

Department of Defense
United States Army Medical Research and Development Command
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs

Released: November 26, 2019

CDMRP and Design Interactive, Inc. Demonstrate Pre-Prosthetic Training Device

Design Interactive, Inc., an Orlando, Florida-based company which specializes in adaptive interactive training systems, developed a system that will assist upper limb amputees to better prepare for using myoelectric prosthetics. The company developed ADAPT-MP, a mobile adaptive gaming platform to help train upper limb amputees control their myoelectric prosthetic arm, with funding from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Orthotics and Prosthetics Outcomes Research Program (OPORP) and Defense Health Agency (DHA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Design Interactive and CDMRP recently showcased the device at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC).  COL Stephen J. Dalal, Director at CDMRP and Science Officer Jason Ghannadian along with Design Interactive’s chief scientist Brent Winslow and research associate Mitchell Ruble demonstrated the system in the gait lab to researchers and care providers. 

The device was developed because many upper limb amputees abandon expensive myoelectric devices, often complaining that the functional benefits these devices provide is far outweighed by the complex nature of controlling them. Design Interactive hypothesized this difficulty of use was likely due to poor pre-prosthetic training. The ADAPT-MP helps prepare the patient to use a prosthesis weeks or even months before receiving their device. The system is operated using natural muscle interactions from the residual limb and engages the trainee in a series of video games controlled by muscle activations captured using a wireless, wearable sensor. Each game targets a different aspect of muscle activation and increases in difficulty as the user progresses. ADAPT-MP also records performance data which is accessible by the amputee’s care provider.

“Helping Service Members and others heal, progress and reintegrate into society after serious injury or illness is a major part of CDMRP’s mission, “said COL Stephen J. Dalal. “We will continue to identify and fund projects that can bring innovative solutions to people who need them.”

Design Interactive is continuing to work on the product and estimates that ADAPT-MP may be available in late 2020. 

For more information about the CDMRP, please visit: https://cdmrp.army.mil.

Design Interactive research assistance Mitchell Ruble shows COL Stephen Dalal how to use the ADAPT-MP wearable sensor to move images onscreen.

Design Interactive Chief Scientist gives an overview of the ADAPT-MP technology to researchers at WRNMMC.

Science Officer Jason Ghannadian wears the sensor to control the action in the ADAPT-MP video game.

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-7783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

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