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What medical device clinical trials are studying now
Heart devices. Valves placed through a catheter, including newer replacement valves for the tricuspid valve, which surgery long avoided; catheters that treat atrial fibrillation with pulsed electrical fields instead of heat; and stent grafts for the aorta.
Orthopedic implants. New shoulder, hip, and spine implants, and navigation systems that help surgeons position a joint precisely, often compared head to head with the implant in use today.
Neurology and pain. Procedures such as blocking a scalp artery for chronic migraine, nerve stimulators, and brain computer interfaces for people with paralysis.
Stroke and clots. Systems that pull clots out of arteries and veins, tested for how quickly and safely they clear a blockage.
Cancer devices. Radiation delivered by tiles placed at surgery, targeted ablation tools, and imaging that guides treatment.
Diagnostics, wearables, and AI. Software that reads scans or ECGs, continuous glucose monitors, and wearables that flag conditions such as sleep apnea or high blood pressure, tested against standard tests for accuracy.
Dental devices. Implants and aligners, listed on our dental clinical trials page.
How medical device trials work
The FDA sorts devices into three classes by risk. Low risk devices often need no trial at all. Many moderate risk devices are cleared through a process that compares them with a device already on the market. The highest risk devices, such as implanted valves and brain interfaces, need a premarket approval backed by clinical trials. Those trials usually start with a small feasibility study, sometimes called an early feasibility or pilot study, and move to a larger pivotal trial that decides approval. During testing the device is used under an investigational device exemption, or IDE, which is the FDA's permission to study an unapproved device in people. Some approved devices are followed in post approval studies for years afterward. Our guide to the phases of medical device clinical trials goes through each step.
New to research? Read how informed consent works before joining any device study.
The device trials people ask about most: brain computer interfaces
No implanted brain computer interface has FDA approval yet; every person using one today is in a clinical trial. Neuralink's device, which is surgically placed, has been reported in more than 20 study participants across several countries as of early 2026. Synchron's Stentrode reaches the brain through a blood vessel and is preparing a pivotal trial. Precision Neuroscience's thin film array received FDA clearance in 2025 for short term recording during surgery. These studies enroll people with severe paralysis from ALS, spinal cord injury, or stroke, and they show what the path from feasibility study to approval looks like for a device that did not exist a decade ago.
Who can participate in medical device clinical trials?
Device trials enroll people who already need the treatment the device provides: someone with severe tricuspid regurgitation for a valve study, persistent atrial fibrillation for an ablation catheter study, an arthritic shoulder for a joint implant study, or severe paralysis for a brain interface study. Many are randomized against the current standard device or, for some procedures, a sham procedure, so participants and their doctors often will not know which they received until the study ends. Because a device is implanted or used during a procedure, eligibility depends heavily on imaging and on whether you are a candidate for the procedure at all. Diagnostic and wearable studies are broader and sometimes enroll healthy volunteers. Eligibility always varies by study.
Do medical device trial participants get paid?
Some studies offer compensation for time and travel, and study related procedures and visits are typically provided at no cost to participants. In many device trials the device itself is provided by the sponsor, while the underlying surgery may be billed as usual care; the consent form explains which is which. Compensation varies by trial and is always described during the informed consent process before you agree to anything.
Curious whether clinical trials pay participants? Here's how compensation actually works.
How to enroll in a clinical trial for medical devices
Enrolling in a medical device clinical trial through our platform is a straightforward and user-friendly process. Here's how to get started:
- Identify Your Trial: Use our search bar or filtering options to find clinical trials that match your interests or medical needs related to specific devices. This step simplifies the process of finding relevant research studies tailored to your requirements.
- Select Your Preferred Location: To find trials conveniently located near you, simply input your preferred location into the dedicated filter bar on the left-hand side of the page.
- Explore Study Details: For in-depth information about each study, simply click the “Learn More” button. This will provide you with comprehensive details about the trial, including objectives, procedures, and eligibility criteria.
- Complete the Health Profile: After clicking on the “Get started” button you will be taken to our efficient 5-step application process to provide important health information. This helps us match you with the clinical trial that best fits your needs.
- Submit the Application: After completing the application, send it in. A clinical trial coordinator will review it and contact you regarding the possibility of participation.