Advanced Technology Helps Patients Stand, Relearn Walking
2/22/2021
Exclusively offered in this region at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Feb. 24, 2021) – A robotic exoskeleton, offered exclusively in this region at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne, is helping severely injured patients to stand and relearn how to walk. This wearable medical device also helps patients to gain confidence and freedom. This advanced technology is being used for patients with stroke and spinal cord injuries and is the only exoskeleton indicated for acquired brain injury.
“It's such an exciting time to be at the Rehabilitation Hospital Fort Wayne. This robot is innovative, one-of-a-kind, and an excellent piece of technology to advance our patients’ recovery,” says Shelene Ruggio, MD, Medical Director. Ryan Cassedy, Chief Administrative Officer, adds, “This remarkable technology enables many of our patients to experience walking after suffering a spinal cord injury, a brain injury or a stroke.”
Therapists are using the device to help patients walk earlier in their rehabilitation process, which can help improve walking speed and distance, which are critical factors for the best possible recovery. To walk in the device, the patient is strapped into the suit while motors drive the hip and knee joints.
Each year, nearly 60 million people suffer from acquired brain injury, 15 million suffer a stroke, and as many as 500,000 individuals experience a spinal cord injury (SCI). Clinical evidence suggests that including the exoskeleton gait (walking) training during inpatient rehabilitation for stroke improves independence in functional mobility. Most patients take an average of 400 steps their first time training in the device. It is the most clinically used exoskeleton, with patients around the world having taken more than 125 million steps and counting.
Greg Parrett, Director of Therapy, said, “We are excited to provide our patients with access to this advanced treatment option and we are proud to be at the forefront of a new standard of care for stroke survivors.” The exoskeleton’s software enables clinicians to increase a patient’s strength by customizing support for each leg independently, engaging the patient throughout their course of treatment.
The exoskeleton medical device available at the Rehabilitation Hospital is approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for use with stroke and spinal cord injuries from L5 to C7 and is the only exoskeleton with FDA approval for use with acquired brain injury patients. The technology and accompanying software is the only exoskeleton available for rehabilitation institutions that can provide dynamically adapting amounts of power to either side of a patient’s body, challenging the patient as they progress.
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