Recruiting

Cortical Stimulation

Sponsor:

University of Washington

Code:

NCT06506279

Conditions

Stroke, Ischemic

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 22 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

CorTec Brain Interchange (BIC) System

Study Details

Brief summary:

Using the CorTec Brain Interchange (BIC) System, we will examine the effect of a plasticity-inducing therapy regime on the rehabilitation of upper limb impairment post-stroke. This study's main objective is to implement and evaluate neuroplasticity-inducing stimulation. The stimulation methods for inducing neuroplasticity have been selected based on prior preclinical and intraoperative work that has shown promise in providing rehabilitative benefits for stroke patients. We will be structuring this study as an open prospective feasibility study.

Conditions

Stroke, Ischemic

Study ID

NCT06506279

Start date

Jul 22, 2025

Status verified date

Apr, 2026

Completion date

Jun 15, 2030

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Jun 15, 2028

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 22 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

22-75 years of age

  • History of ischemic stroke
  • Minimum 6 months post-ischemic cortical stroke
  • Levels of hemiparesis that warrant surgical intervention (upper limb impairment)
  • Able to participate in a meaningful way in rehabilitation (defined by upper extremity Fugl-Myer (UEFM) score of 25-45
  • Disability measured between 3 and 4 on the modified Rankin Scale
  • Minimum of 30% preservation of the corticospinal pathways in MRI imaging
  • Observable motor output of the upper limb in response to TMS delivered to the motor cortex
  • Available for the duration of the study, 54 weeks for multiple visits (38 weeks implanted and 16 weeks post-explant follow-up).
  • All inclusion and exclusion criteria will be assessed within 90 days before the device implantation procedure (though the PI may determine to override the 90-day limit for MRI imaging results review).

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Unable to discontinue anti-platelet medication for 7 days pre- and 3 days post-op
  • On therapeutic anticoagulation
  • A history of unprovoked deep vein thrombosis or any pulmonary embolus
  • The presence of a bleeding disorder which significantly increases the chances that the patient will have a hemorrhagic complication in relation to study procedures.
  • Other medical history indicating increased risk of thrombosis per investigator discretion
  • Any history of seizures
  • Pregnancy
  • Geriatric Depression Score greater than 10
  • Montreal Cognitive Assessment below 22 unless attributable to aphasia and approved by PI
  • Columbia Suicide Scale ideation score above 1
  • Aphasia or cognitive deficits substantial enough to prevent:

  • communication of pain and discomfort due to study procedures
  • understanding of motor testing or rehabilitation tasks
  • Severe Neglect as measured by NIH Stroke Scale Question 11 score of 2, which represents a "Profound hemi-inattention or extinction to more than one modality; does not recognize own hand or orients to only one side of space."
  • Cardiac morbidity that in the judgment of the investigators would represent an increased safety risk
  • History of spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke
  • Major, active neurological, psychiatric, or medical comorbidity that would likely interfere with study procedures
  • Any active infection requiring antimicrobial therapy
  • Inability to participate with proposed rehabilitation strategies
  • Presence of any other implanted devices (cochlear implants, pacemakers, etc.).
  • During this study no occupational, physical, or speech therapy is permitted apart from that provided by the study protocol. Patients who require therapy beyond what is delivered in this study will not be enrolled
  • All inclusion and exclusion criteria will be assessed within 90 days before the device implantation procedure (though the PI may determine to override the 90-day limit for MRI imaging results review).

If a patient has glenohumeral subluxation, adhesive capsulitis, or contractures of the upper extremities, they must undergo additional screening for pain with range-of-motion and be approved by the enrolling clinician.

If a patient requires any medication not already explicitly excluded as part of defined safety criteria, the clinical staff affiliated with this study will determine if the patient should be excluded at their own discretion to ensure the integrity of this study.

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Study Design

Enrollment

4 participants

Anticipated

Intervention Model

Single group

Primary purpose

Treatment

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Motor Recovery through Plasticity-Inducing Cortical Stimulation

Single arm study of post-ischemic stroke patients with an upper extremity deficit.

Interventions

CorTec Brain Interchange (BIC) System

Surgical implantation of the BIC System. This study's main objective is to implement and evaluate neuroplasticity-inducing stimulation. The stimulation methods for inducing neuroplasticity have been selected based on prior preclinical and intraoperative work that has shown promise in providing rehabilitative benefits for stroke patients.

Primary outcome measure

  • Measuring upper limb impairment in stroke rehabilitation [ Time Frame: Two years ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Locations

University of Washington

Recruiting

Seattle, Washington, United States, 98104

More Information

Sponsor

University of Washington

Last update posted

Apr 13, 2026

Last verified

Apr, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Washington on 2026-04-13.