# Restoring High Dimensional Hand Function to Persons with Chronic High Tetraplegia

> **NIH VA I01** · LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

The current proposal aims to develop a physical neuroprosthesis system, directly controlled by cortical signals,
to restore high-dimension hand functionality to Veterans with chronic tetraplegia resulting from high cervical
spinal cord injury (SCI). This unique approach combines an intracortical brain-computer-interface (iBCI) that
captures a user’s volitionally intended movements, with a percutaneous functional electrical stimulation (FES)
system for activation of paralyzed muscles. While there exist research efforts to use BCIs to control the motion
of simple computer cursors and robotic devices, the present proposal will investigate the possibility of restoring
high-dimensional multi-grasp control of one’s own paralyzed hand. When realized, this system will enable
Veterans with high cervical SCI to cortically command more hand grasp patterns than is realized by current FES
neuroprosthetic systems, thereby allowing them to carry out a larger range of everyday grasping tasks.
Dexterous hand function is a critical component to being able to perform the object manipulations necessary for
successfully completing a wide variety of everyday reaching-and-grasping tasks. For example, the hand grasp
required to pick up small flat objects differs from that required to interact with larger cylindrical objects, which
differs from the hand grasp required for pointing tasks (e.g. pushing a button). Current clinically relevant
neuroprosthetic systems implement one or at most two preprogrammed hand grasp patterns that the user can
switch between, though usually not seamlessly. A hand grasp neuroprosthesis that allows users a larger variety
of hand grasp patterns by allowing for independent thumb and index finger control, as well as possibly a larger
set of switchable preprogrammed grasp patterns, will likely prove functionally advantageous over current
clinically available systems. Currently available systems are partly limited in the scope of functionality due to the
lack of available signals for commanding the multiple dimensions necessary for increased grasp flexibility.
Recording of brain signals directly related to hand function, through an intracortical brain-computer-interface
(iBCI) may allow for a richer source of signals for commanding higher dimensions of hand function. This proposal
will thus investigate using iBCIs as a command source for implementing a high-dimensional FES hand
neuroprostheses, by investigating 1) the possibility of commanding multiple hand grasp types from cortical
activity, and 2) the possibility of commanding individual thumb and index movements from cortical activity,
thereby allowing the user greater flexibility in creating their own hand grasps.
The proposed work will engage Veterans and other participants enrolled in the BrainGate2 Pilot Clinical Trial. As
part of the BrainGate2 Pilot Clinical Trial, these participants will already have received a) two intracortical
microelectrodes implanted into motor cortical areas contr...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10146201
- **Project number:** 5I01RX002654-04
- **Recipient organization:** LOUIS STOKES CLEVELAND VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** ABIDEMI BOLU AJIBOYE
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-05-01 → 2022-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10146201

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10146201, Restoring High Dimensional Hand Function to Persons with Chronic High Tetraplegia (5I01RX002654-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10146201. Licensed CC0.

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