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Sci-Fi Tech Helping Veterans: University of Utah’s LUKE Arm on Fox 13

Fox 13 explores how the LUKE Arm, developed at the University of Utah, is transforming the lives of veterans. This segment delves into the real-world impact of the bionic prosthetic, emphasizing how cutting-edge research is making a tangible difference for those who need it most.

https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/how-the-university-of-utah-is-using-sci-fi-technology-to-help-veterans

 

Sci-Fi Becomes Reality: LUKE Arm Showcased at the Big Game

Hoodline magazine highlights how the LUKE Arm took center stage at one of the biggest sporting events of the year. With its groundbreaking prosthetic technology, the LUKE Arm is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, bringing a once sci-fi concept into real-world use.

https://hoodline.com/2025/02/sci-fi-turned-reality-university-of-utah-s-luke-arm-steals-spotlight-at-big-game-with-revolutionary-prosthetic-tech/

New Funding for “LUKE Arm” Neuroprosthesis

The Utah NeuroRobotics Lab was awarded a $300,000 contract from the company Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS) to continue the lab's ongoing Investigational Device Exception Early Feasibility Study for the "LUKE Arm" neuroprosthesis. The lab is now actively recruiting one transradial amputee to enroll in the ongoing clinical trial. This individual will have Utah Slanted Electrode Arrays (USEAs) and intramuscular electromyographic recording leads (iEMGs) implanted into their residual arm nerves and muscles. This neural interface will then allow them to control a multiarticulate bionic arm simply with their thoughts, as well as receive a sense of touch coming back from the bionic arm. This upcoming patient will be the 9th patient in this clinical trial, and will receive the latest version of the technology, featuring new software that enhances dexterity and ease of use. Most importantly, this patient will be the first patient to take the device home and use it in a completely unsupervised manner. In the past, patients had to visit the lab to use the bionic arm under supervision of PhD-level engineers. Now, thanks to advancements made by the University of Utah and BIOS patients will be able to take home the device for use in their own activities of daily living.

This next phase of the project marks an exciting step towards the commercialization and real-world implementation of an advanced neuroprosthesis. This project also represents an ongoing academic-industry partnership between the University of Utah and BIOS. BIOS is a startup company associated with the University of Utah. In 2022, BIOS executed a software licensing agreement with the University of Utah for the technology behind the neuroprosthesis, which now serves as the core intellectual property for BIOS's flagship neuroprosthesis product. Dr. George, director of the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, also serves as the Chief Scientist for BIOS. The USEAs used in this project are also manufactured by Blackrock Neurotech, another University of Utah associated company.

Lab Spinoff Raises $350K

University of Utah affiliated startup, Biologic Input Output Systems (BIOS), recently received a $350,000 investment from the Utah Innovation Fund. BIOS is a neurotech startup working to commercialize a peripheral nerve interface for prosthetics and beyond. The technology behind BIOS was developed at the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab, and Dr. George serves as chief scientist for BIOS to support their technology development. The Utah Innovation Fund supports early-stage startups in Utah by providing capital, mentorship, and resources to drive innovation and growth. Focused on fostering entrepreneurship, the fund aims to accelerate the development of groundbreaking technologies and ideas, strengthening the local economy and advancing Utah’s position as a hub for innovation.

Read more about the investment and company here: https://www.utahbusiness.com/why-utah-innovation-fund-invested-in-bios/

Dr. George Presents at AOPA

At the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association National Assembly, Dr. George served as a panelist for a session titled "Powered Upper Extremity Bracing: A Review of Reimbursement, Current Technology, and Clinical Opportunities." Dr. George presented on next generation control systems for powered upper extremity braces. His talk featured work from PhD students Caleb Thomson, Connor Olsen, and Fredi Mino which show that stroke patients can use residual muscle activity from their paretic limb to provide dexterous control of the MyoPro exoskeleton. To achieve this, the Utah NeuroRobotics Lab uses high density EMG combined with deep learning.

This panel was in collaboration with Myomo, the leading manufacturer of powered upper-limb orthotics. In April this year, Myomo received new medicare reimbursement codes to fully cover the cost of the MyoPro exoskeleton. It is expected that the number of powered upper-limb orthoses are the market will sharply increase as a result.

Dr. George gives expert opinion on “Third Arm”

Dr. George was recently featured in an article as an expert opinion on the impact and future of new research regarding a "third arm." Researchers at EPFL recently developed a robotic arm that can be controlled voluntarily, in coordination with your other hands, by modulating your diaphragm muscles. Dr. George reviewed the research as a part of this news release and noted how controlling an additional arm, as opposed to controlling a replacement arm, is a much more difficult and interesting challenge. Dr. George regularly provides expert opinions on the latest research in neurorobotic technology.

You can read the news article here: https://www.snexplores.org/article/robotic-arm-gives-extra-hand