Blue Arbor Technologies, a Michigan-based medical device company developing advanced prosthetic control systems, has raised $10.5 million in Series A funding. The round was led by Ottobock, a global leader in prosthetics, neuro-orthotics, and wearable human bionics, which is also a strategic partner of the company.
Blue Arbor is going to deploy the funds to move forward with its RESTORE Neuromuscular Interface System, a piece of innovative technology that helps people with lost limbs control their prostheses better. The funds will provide for several feasibility studies and the preparations for clinical studies in the United States, including pursuing Investigational Device Exemption from the FDA for the system’s External Sensing Unit (ESU). Another step, undertaken by the company, will include work on the development of the Internal Sensing Unit (ISU), an implantable system version of the technology.
“Blue Arbor’s technology has the potential to set a new standard in prosthetic control,” said Oliver Jakobi, Chief Executive Officer of Ottobock. “This investment reflects our approach to deploying capital in areas that complement our core business and offer significant long-term growth potential. Together, we aim to translate pioneering research into scalable solutions that deliver meaningful value for people with limb loss.”
Developing More Natural Prosthetic Control
The RESTORE System is designed to connect a patient’s peripheral nervous system with a robotic prosthetic limb. Its goal is to enable independent and simultaneous control of the fingers, wrist, and elbow, improving the dexterity, speed, and reliability of advanced prosthetic devices.
Blue Arbor is developing two versions of the system: an external interface that uses sensors placed outside the body and an implantable interface designed to integrate sensing technology within the body.
“This funding is a testament to the team, the science, and the patients driving this work,” said Tod Borton, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Arbor Technologies. “With two successful human implantations thus far, we are looking forward to helping more patients through our collaboration with Ottobock. This is a pivotal moment for Blue Arbor and for the field of prosthetic control — we are closing the gap between where the technology is today and where it needs to be for the millions of people living with limb loss.”
“We have been extremely impressed with the results of these initial surgeries, particularly how quickly and naturally patients have adapted to the technology,” said Prof. Oskar Aszmann, Director of the Center for Bionic Extremity Reconstruction, Medical University of Vienna. “As doctors, it is our onus to provide solutions to improve our patients’ lives and with the RESTORE System we have been able to bring intuitive hand movement back to those who never thought they’d experience it again.”
The company has continued feasibility testing, including a successful second-in-human procedure using the RESTORE ESU at the Medical University of Vienna in Austria.
Clinical Research and FDA Progress
Blue Arbor’s technology was also chosen for a clinical research conducted under the leadership of the University of Michigan, with funding through the UG3 grant provided by the National Institute of Health. The research will make a comparison between surface electrodes and implantable electrodes, evaluating the efficacy of both forms of electrodes in controlling prosthetic devices.
The RESTORE System has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and has been accepted into the agency’s Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program pilot. These programs are intended to support the development and review of certain medical technologies, although they do not constitute FDA marketing approval.
Located in Grass Lake, Michigan, Blue Arbor Technologies aims to develop robotic control systems that will assist people with limb loss in using prosthetics more effectively. With new funding, the company can continue its research into this technology.
