Connect TF - An Investigation of Function and Usability of a New Adaptable Socket System

Connect TF - An Investigation of Function and Usability of a New Adaptable Socket System for

The primary objective of this investigation is to evaluate how the CONNECT TF compares to traditional handmade sockets, specifically that it provides reliable suspension and improved usability and comfort for the amputee, and that it enables single clinical visit for fitting.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Amputation; Prosthesis User
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: CONNECT TF adaptable socket system; Device: Any conventional handmade socket

Detailed Description

Design:

This clinical investigation will be of a single group non-randomized open label prospective repeated measures (ABBA) design comparing subject´s current conventional socket and the CONNECT TF. The subjects will be asked to use the CONNECT TF as their primary prosthesis for up to six weeks. Subject will be fitted with the same foot-pylon-knee prosthetic system as used with their current conventional socket, with the CONNECT TF socket.

Procedures:

There are four scheduled study events. At the initial visit, the first study event, for each subject a qualified researcher will obtain an informed consent. Prior to fitting the patient subject to CONNECT TF he/she will be asked to provide feedback and perform tasks on/using their current conventional prosthetic socket. The patient subjects will be fitted with the CONNECT TF within the standard methods of prosthetic fitting, alignment, introduction, training and walking on various terrain.

The CPO (Certified Prosthetis/Orthotist) will conduct the fitting and aligning of the CONNECT TF.

A Co-Investigator will time the fitting procedure; from unpacking the device until it is correctly adjusted and properly fit to the subject.

Data on initial feedback on the device will be collected from the subjects using the instruments specified above. Afterwards an appointment at 2 weeks is made and the subjects leave the clinic on the device.

If the fitting of CONNECT TF fails, i.e. the PI/CPO does not manage to fit the device properly or the subject cannot use the device as intended during training at the clinic, a new appointment is made, if the subject is willing to continue participation.

The second event will be according to the appointment scheduled 2 weeks earlier. During this visit the same set of information will be gathered from/on the subjects as at the initial visit using the conventional socket. A 6 week follow up (6WFU) visit is scheduled and the subject leaves on the CONNECT TF socket.

The third event will be according to the appointment scheduled at the previous visit. During this visit set of information will be gathered from/on the subjects as at the initial visit using the conventional socket. A final 6WFU visit is scheduled and the subjects are fitted back to and leave on their current conventional socket.

The fourth event will be according to the appointment scheduled at the previous visit. During this visit set of information will be gathered from/on the subjects as at the initial visit using the conventional socket. End of study.

Data analysis:

The dataset will be assessed with inferential statistics based on the acceptance criteria for the data, as applicable.

Outcomes at each time point will be visually inspected for normality using histograms and qq-plots. If the data are deemed to be normal the hypothesis will be tested using a two-tailed, paired, student's t-test for 2WFU evaluation and mixed models for the 6WFU evaluation. Non-normal data will be tested using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 9
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46202
      • Eskenazi Health
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46206-1367
      • IU Health Comprehensive Wound Center at Methodist Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Lower limb amputees
• Uni- or bilateral TF amputees
• 40 < body weight < 125Kg
• Activity level: K1-K2;
• Liner size: 28-45;
• Max 1 user in sizes 28 and 45, respectively
• Residual limb parameters; perineum to distal end: 205 to 280 mm
• Older than 18 years
• Prosthetic users for more than 3 months
• Components of conventional socket functionally compatible to Össur components (foot-pylon-knee combination)
• Users understanding the function of the device
• Willing and able to participate in the study and follow the protocol

Exclusion Criteria:

• Other amputees
• 40> body weight > 125Kg
• Amputees with broken skin on the residual limb
• Younger than 18 years
• Prosthetic users for less than 3 months
• Using no liner
• Using a microprocessor controlled prosthetic knee not manufactured by Össur
• Users not understanding the function of the device

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: CONNECT TF; Trans-femoral amputees currently using a conventional handmade socket will be fitted with the CONNECT TF adaptable socket system for 6 weeks and their current existing conventional socket for 6 weeks, data collection on both sockets will be performed and outcomes compared.	Device: CONNECT TF adaptable socket system; Prefabricated, adaptable socket system; Device: Any conventional handmade socket; Subjects current socket

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Comprehensive Lower-limb Amputee Socket Survey (CLASS)	CLASS is a self-report measure of prosthetic socket satisfaction for lower limb amputees, designed to provide an effective means of communication for the patient to describe with clarity, the quality of their socket fit during common activities. CLASS evaluates static and dynamic features of socket stability, suspension, comfort and appearance and has been reported to be a reliable, quick and easy report measure.	6 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Prosthesis evaluation questionnaire - Residual limb health (PEQ- RLH)	average of 6 item subscale from the PEQ	6 weeks
Prosthesis evaluation questionnaire - Sounds (PEQ-Sounds)	average of 2 item subscale from the PEQ	6 weeks
Mobility (2MWT)	2 minute walking test	6 weeks
Balance during ambulation (TUG)	Times up and go test	6 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Össur Ehf
• Collaborators: Indiana University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Sashwati Roy, PhD, Indiana University School of Medicine

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): August 3, 2020
• Primary Completion (Actual): January 25, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): January 25, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 11, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): May 14, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): October 8, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 4, 2024
• Last Verified: October 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: CIP2020021338

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No