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Age-Related Macular DegenerationNCT05914233

Non-invasive Ultrasound Retinal Stimulation for Vision Restoration

A study testing Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation Device in people with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa, run by University of Southern California.

Not yet recruiting

Opening soon. The study is approved but enrolment has not started yet. Sites may already take enquiries.

Sites and contacts
Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

This clinical trial aims to test the safety and feasibility of using a non-invasive ultrasound device to stimulate retinal nerve cells and restore vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation Device
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
5 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
10 Jan 2027to 15 Jul 2028
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Diagnosis of AMD (regardless of stage and type) or RP. At least two volunteers should diagnose with RP.
  • Age 18 years or older
  • No other eye-related health conditions
  • No allergic history to commercial ultrasound gel
  • Must be willing and able to comply with the protocol testing

Who cannot join

  • Declining to participate and inability to give informed consent.
  • Unable to comply with the process of the research
  • If the volunteer has optic nerve disease, including the history of glaucoma, optic neuropathy, or other confirmed damage to optic nerve or visual cortex damage
  • Unable to fixate that hinders obtaining high-quality imaging
  • High myopia; refractive error of six diopters and above
  • Pregnancy
  • Subject is participating in another investigational drug or device study that may conflict with the objectives, follow-up, or testing of this study

Trial locations and contacts

No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Qifa Zhou, PhD contact

(213) 821-2649

qifazhou@usc.edu

About this study

Official title: Revolutionary Non-Invasive Ultrasound Technology for Vision Restoration in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) Patients

This clinical trial aims to test the safety and feasibility of using a non-invasive ultrasound device to stimulate retinal nerve cells and restore vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration. Previous studies have shown that artificial stimulation, such as electric and optic stimulations, can partially restore vision, but these methods are invasive and pose surgical risks. The study aims to develop a non-invasive method for retinal stimulation. The investigators will follow the FDA guidelines to limit the ultrasound power and adhere to all clinical trial regulations to ensure all participants' safety.

The main questions the investigators aim to answer are:

Read more
  • Is using high-frequency ultrasound safe using a wearable device for localized retinal neural activity stimulation?
  • Does the stimulation through the device restore vision in patients with age-related macular degeneration?

Participants in this study will be asked to undergo Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning before and after the ultrasound stimulation to evaluate the device's safety. Then, they will receive five stimulation-rest cycles and complete a questionnaire to report what they see and how they feel during the device's operation.

Read the detailed description

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation device for vision restoration in patients with age-related macular degeneration. The investigators will take the following measures:

  • The study population will consist of patients with age-related macular degeneration for whom traditional medical treatments have been ineffective and for whom there are no other viable treatment options.
  • The investigators will follow the FDA guidelines and adhere to all regulations related to clinical trials to ensure the safety of all participants.
  • The investigators will obtain informed consent from each participant and ensure that they fully understand the risks and benefits of the study before enrolling.
  • The investigators will closely monitor each participant during the study and record any adverse events or complications.
  • The investigators will use high-frequency ultrasound for localized stimulation, which is safe and effective in other studies.

Participants will receive stimulation from the non-invasive ultrasound device for five cycles and complete a questionnaire about their experiences. The researchers will analyze the results to determine the efficacy and safety of the device.

With these measures in place, The investigators believe that the study design and methodology are appropriate and will result in a low-risk study that meets the FDA's requirements for clinical trials.

Being tested
Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation Device
Keywords
Ultrasound Stimulation, Retinal, Retinitis pigmentosa, Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Medical subject headings
Macular Degeneration, Retinitis Pigmentosa

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation DeviceDevice

    Record user feelings during the device is working

Study groups in NCT05914233
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
SingleExperimentalStimulation of the ultrasound retinal stimulation Device
Receives: Device: Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation Device

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Visual function-Assessed by Questionnaire

    A questionnaire will be given to participants. The answers will be recorded as "No" or "Yes." If "Yes" is selected as the participant's answer, their descriptions according to the given questions will be recorded in detail.

    Measured: 2 hours (average duration of procedure)

  2. Adverse Event

    The nature and number of Treatment-Related Adverse Events.

    Measured: From time of procedure up to 2 hours after process completion

Secondary outcomes (1)
  1. Comfort Level-Assessed by Questionnaire

    A scale of 0 to 5 will be provided to the participants. 0 is no feeling, and 5 is very pain or uncomfortable

    Measured: 2 hours (average duration of procedure)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Jun 2023
  2. Study start10 Jan 2027 (estimated)
  3. Primary completion15 Jan 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion15 Jul 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Model description
Tremendous development has been achieved in the matrix ultrasound transducer. The investigators build the signal element ultrasound transducer to provide a stable energy release to stimulate a particular area. The investigators can limit the ultrasound focus to a minor point. The neuron activities induced by the focused 3 Megahertz (MHz) transducers have shown a spatial resolution of 250±50 µm. According to previous study, the Intensity Spatial-Peak Pulse-Average (ISPPA.3) is 26 (Under FDA suggestion of 28).
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
5 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05914233
Sponsor's protocol ID
HS-23-00143
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
8 May 2023
Last updated
8 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Ye J, Tang S, Meng L, Li X, Wen X, Chen S, Niu L, Li X, Qiu W, Hu H, Jiang M, Shang S, Shu Q, Zheng H, Duan S, Li Y. Ultrasonic Control of Neural Activity through Activation of the Mechanosensitive Channel MscL. Nano Lett. 2018 Jul 11;18(7):4148-4155. doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b00935. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

    PubMed 29916253
  • Jager RD, Mieler WF, Miller JW. Age-related macular degeneration. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jun 12;358(24):2606-17. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra0801537. No abstract available.

    PubMed 18550876
  • Chaumet-Riffaud AE, Chaumet-Riffaud P, Cariou A, Devisme C, Audo I, Sahel JA, Mohand-Said S. Impact of Retinitis Pigmentosa on Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Employment Among Young Adults. Am J Ophthalmol. 2017 May;177:169-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2017.02.016. Epub 2017 Feb 22.

    PubMed 28237413
  • Brandolin P, Martinelli G, Zanoni A. [Possibilities of use of neuroleptoanalgesic drugs of type II (dehydrobenzoperidol and fentanyl) in emergency abdominal surgery in aged patients]. Acta Anaesthesiol. 1968;19:Suppl 4:93+. No abstract available. Italian.

    PubMed 5757022
  • Chou R, Dana T, Bougatsos C, Grusing S, Blazina I. Screening for Impaired Visual Acuity in Older Adults: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2016 Mar 1;315(9):915-33. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.0783.

    PubMed 26934261
  • TASSICKER GE. Preliminary report on a retinal stimulator. Br J Physiol Opt. 1956 Apr;13(2):102-5. No abstract available.

    PubMed 13315967
  • Humayun MS, Weiland JD, Fujii GY, Greenberg R, Williamson R, Little J, Mech B, Cimmarusti V, Van Boemel G, Dagnelie G, de Juan E. Visual perception in a blind subject with a chronic microelectronic retinal prosthesis. Vision Res. 2003 Nov;43(24):2573-81. doi: 10.1016/s0042-6989(03)00457-7.

    PubMed 13129543
  • Ahuja AK, Dorn JD, Caspi A, McMahon MJ, Dagnelie G, Dacruz L, Stanga P, Humayun MS, Greenberg RJ; Argus II Study Group. Blind subjects implanted with the Argus II retinal prosthesis are able to improve performance in a spatial-motor task. Br J Ophthalmol. 2011 Apr;95(4):539-43. doi: 10.1136/bjo.2010.179622. Epub 2010 Sep 29.

    PubMed 20881025
  • da Cruz L, Dorn JD, Humayun MS, Dagnelie G, Handa J, Barale PO, Sahel JA, Stanga PE, Hafezi F, Safran AB, Salzmann J, Santos A, Birch D, Spencer R, Cideciyan AV, de Juan E, Duncan JL, Eliott D, Fawzi A, Olmos de Koo LC, Ho AC, Brown G, Haller J, Regillo C, Del Priore LV, Arditi A, Greenberg RJ; Argus II Study Group. Five-Year Safety and Performance Results from the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System Clinical Trial. Ophthalmology. 2016 Oct;123(10):2248-54. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.06.049. Epub 2016 Jul 21.

    PubMed 27453256
  • Lu Y, Brommer B, Tian X, Krishnan A, Meer M, Wang C, Vera DL, Zeng Q, Yu D, Bonkowski MS, Yang JH, Zhou S, Hoffmann EM, Karg MM, Schultz MB, Kane AE, Davidsohn N, Korobkina E, Chwalek K, Rajman LA, Church GM, Hochedlinger K, Gladyshev VN, Horvath S, Levine ME, Gregory-Ksander MS, Ksander BR, He Z, Sinclair DA. Reprogramming to recover youthful epigenetic information and restore vision. Nature. 2020 Dec;588(7836):124-129. doi: 10.1038/s41586-020-2975-4. Epub 2020 Dec 2.

    PubMed 33268865
  • Fomenko A, Neudorfer C, Dallapiazza RF, Kalia SK, Lozano AM. Low-intensity ultrasound neuromodulation: An overview of mechanisms and emerging human applications. Brain Stimul. 2018 Nov-Dec;11(6):1209-1217. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2018.08.013. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

    PubMed 30166265
  • Liu SH, Lai YL, Chen BL, Yang FY. Ultrasound Enhances the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Astrocyte Through Activation of TrkB-Akt and Calcium-CaMK Signaling Pathways. Cereb Cortex. 2017 Jun 1;27(6):3152-3160. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhw169.

    PubMed 27252349
  • Chen Y, Shi Z, Shen Y. Eye damage due to cosmetic ultrasound treatment: a case report. BMC Ophthalmol. 2018 Aug 29;18(1):214. doi: 10.1186/s12886-018-0891-2.

    PubMed 30157786
  • Lu G, Qian X, Gong C, Ji J, Thomas BB, Humayun MS, Zhou Q. Ultrasound Retinal Stimulation: A Mini-Review of Recent Developments. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2022 Dec;69(12):3224-3231. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2022.3220568. Epub 2022 Nov 24.

    PubMed 36343006

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Non-invasive ultrasound retinal stimulation Device in people with Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa, run by University of Southern California.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Qifa Zhou, PhD ((213) 821-2649, qifazhou@usc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Visual function-Assessed by Questionnaire (time frame: 2 hours (average duration of procedure)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05914233, which also lists 14 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 Jan 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.

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