# Development and initial testing of a shoulder-hand active-passive exoskeleton (SHAPE) to assist individuals with chronic upper-extremity impairments after stroke.

> **NIH VA IK1** · JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · —

## Abstract

The PI, Joseph Kopke, is a PT and Ph.D., trained at Northwestern University after serving in the US Air Force
for 8 years. His dissertation research focused on understanding control of the shoulder and the feasibility of
using machine learning to control a powered device to support the shoulder against gravity after stroke. His
immediate goal is to develop a hybrid exoskeletal system utilizing a passive shoulder and an active hand
(Shoulder-Hand Acitve-Passive Exoskeleton, SHAPE) to assist individuals after stroke. He would like to advance
this project towards a follow-on efficacy study as part of a CDA-2. Ultimately, his goal is to bridge the gap between
the clinic, neuroscience, engineering, and the patient and bring simple, smart, intuitive devices to Veterans to
address impairments and increase function after neuro insult.
He is supported by a strong and experienced team of mentors including Dr’s Matthew Major (Ph.D.), Levi
Hargrove (Ph.D.), Elliott Roth (MD), Stefania Fatone (Ph.D., BPO) and poised between three top-tier institutions
Jesse Brown VAMC, Northwestern University, and Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. His mentorship team offers him a
breadth and depth of knowledge and experience essential to the success of his proposal. His primary mentor,
Dr. Major will provide oversight of the project and Dr. Kopke’s training and development; Dr. Hargrove provides
the expertise in pattern recognition and imbedded control while Dr Roth provides over 30 years experience as a
clinician scientist working with individuals with stroke and other neurological impairment; Dr. Fatone will offer
insight and guidance as a trained orthotist with years of upper-extremity device development experience.
Together they offer Dr. Kopke the opportunity to develop towards an independent VA movement scientist
committed to bettering the function and quality of life of Veterans through orthotic technology.
This proposal focuses on the development of the Shoulder-Hand Active-Passive Exoskeleton (SHAPE) for
individuals with chronic upper-extremity impairment after stroke. Common impairments after a cerebrovascular
accident, or stroke, include extreme weakness throughout the shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand, limiting their use.
Additionally, increased abnormal tone that presents during effortful tasks further impairs the individual by causing
unintentional and abnormal muscle activation throughout the limb. Supporting the shoulder to move the arm
against gravity minimizes this abnormal tone and enables better elbow, wrist, and hand function. Combining
shoulder support with a hand device designed to facilitate extension and grip will then address both the weakness
experienced in these areas as well as minimize secondary negative effects caused by use of the shoulder.
The purpose of Aim 1 is to design and refine a wearable passive shoulder support device to help compensate
for gravity. A prototype to passively support glenohumeral elevation has already been designed and fabricated
us...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10753223
- **Project number:** 1IK1RX004286-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph Victor Kopke
- **Activity code:** IK1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-01-01 → 2025-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10753223

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10753223, Development and initial testing of a shoulder-hand active-passive exoskeleton (SHAPE) to assist individuals with chronic upper-extremity impairments after stroke. (1IK1RX004286-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10753223. Licensed CC0.

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