14 replies to this topic

[stemcellblogger]

Hey Guys-
I just came across this article and thought you'd be interested.
I have no affiliation or financial investment with them, etc. etc..

The Israeli-based Company Argo Medical Technologies has developed a device that enables people with lower limb disabilities to stand, walk, and even climb stairs. The device nick named "ReWalk" is suitable for anyone with functioning hands, arms, and shoulders...

via http://www.argomedtec.com/products.asp

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[qbounce]

I saw something "similar" on the news a couple weeks ago that helps people with arthritis walk/move easier with the help of a robotic spring-like scissor movement that propells the legs forward (sans crutches).

I'm not convinced that the crutches would make things any easier. At least a wheelchair allows you to carry items around on your lap. This doesn't look like anything more to me than a very expensive excersize machine. But, I see how it could benefit in excersize or even take the place of a standing machine. Hell, you mean I'd have to get some form of running shoes again?

[Apparelyzed]

This was posted on Apparelyzed last August 2008.

For additional information:

http://www.apparelyz...?showtopic=7746

Regards

Simon

[edlee]

Tho interesting, particularly from the technological view,,I have to agree with Q,,, What's the point???

I do , however, appreciate the effort,, and the idea that there are people thinking about our situation.

Maybe better a robotic bowel/bladder controller,,,,, might not make the newspaper,,, but I'd definately give it a try.
ed

[qbounce]

edlee, on May 26 2009, 12:03 PM, said:

Tho interesting, particularly from the technological view,,I have to agree with Q,,, What's the point???

I do , however, appreciate the effort,, and the idea that there are people thinking about our situation.

Maybe better a robotic bowel/bladder controller,,,,, might not make the newspaper,,, but I'd definately give it a try.
ed

Ha Ha Ed!!
Seriously

[ClaraTaylor]

edlee, on May 26 2009, 08:03 PM, said:

Tho interesting, particularly from the technological view,,I have to agree with Q,,, What's the point???

I do , however, appreciate the effort,, and the idea that there are people thinking about our situation.

Maybe better a robotic bowel/bladder controller,,,,, might not make the newspaper,,, but I'd definately give it a try.
ed

Can't see the photographs to accompany the story being quite as "cute".

There is an awful lot of "we'll try and cure you" rather than "make life comfortable for you". People think it must be "the worst thing" to be in a chair / suffering from x y z.... and want to make you "normal" rather than focus on making adaptions for the rest of the world to put up with.

That said there may be many issues that could benefit from this - for people who are fighting off the having to be in a wheel chair for as long as possible. Unfortunately I can't think of any right now so will settle for the obesity joke - so long as they can programme it to force thirty minutes of exercise a day.

[edlee]

Quote

so long as they can programme it to force thirty minutes of exercise a day.

For me, that would have to be a robot with a whip.
ed

[fatdave]

Honda was designing something similar a while back.

Wonder if they come with remote controls, that would fun!

[dsindc]

interesting...

[Jax]

dsindc, on Jul 23 2009, 09:46 AM, said:

interesting...

would have been nice to have at my wedding...

In all seriousness, the idea is adapted from the exoframes designed for the military. I like the idea, but I'm more inclined to agree with ed on this-bowel/bladder robot would be much more useful. Or of course the erection-bot...

[Amy Bell]

A mobility device such as this could transform the lives of countless individuals not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Also
improving circulation, instilling a sense of normalcy and independence and even helping to reduce cost for other support equipment like wheel chairs and stair lifts .

Currently, ReWalk is undergoing clinical trials exclusively at Moss Rehab in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania to gain further knowledge, which would assist in developmental improvements for the future.

For more info visit http://rewalk.com

Or email info@rewalk.com

[ss770640]

Amy Bell, on Dec 19 2009, 03:51 AM, said:

A mobility device such as this could transform the lives of countless individuals not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Also
improving circulation, instilling a sense of normalcy and independence and even helping to reduce cost for other support equipment like wheel chairs and stair lifts .

Currently, ReWalk is undergoing clinical trials exclusively at Moss Rehab in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania to gain further knowledge, which would assist in developmental improvements for the future.

For more info visit http://rewalk.com

Or email info@rewalk.com

rewalk has crossed my mind. think it costs circa £10k GBP.

i thought about it for reasons you describe above. but would merely be a short term solution for tackling stairs etc. although i think everybody who could use it, would find it useful if only for an evening or two. the problem i have with it is:

how do you go/what to do in bathroom/shower bath etc
what happens if your run out of batteries?
breakdowns probably have to be serviced at country of manufacturer meaning long expensive delays.
plus you cannot carry anything whilst on crutches/sore wrists.

[my2wheelsdown102107]

edlee, on May 26 2009, 02:03 PM, said:

Tho interesting, particularly from the technological view,,I have to agree with Q,,, What's the point???

I do , however, appreciate the effort,, and the idea that there are people thinking about our situation.

Maybe better a robotic bowel/bladder controller,,,,, might not make the newspaper,,, but I'd definately give it a try.
ed

Well the ReWalk is promising but it is primarily to be used at home or work not for long distance outings. As for the bowel/bladder devices there isnt much for bowel except the good ole’ “magic bullet” and going knuckle deep! Lol As for Bladder there is a device called the Vocare Bladder System, which got FDA approval about 10 years ago. I discussed this with my DR. shortly after my injury. After having a foley cath in for almost 8 mos. My bladder had shrunk down to only hold about 250ml. I asked about the device and he said no one is performing the surgery in the U.S. yet and insurance doesn’t pay for it. The real kicker is the surgery is 12+ hours long!! I don’t know about anyone else but that’s along time to be under! I tried botox injection which worked for about a month to the dot and shortly after was back to pissing on myself 24/7. I then begged for a superpubic cath but found out that any responsible Dr would not put one in a young person because they have to replace them every 5-7 yrs and there is a great risk of bladder cancer. My DR then suggested a Gastroentero Cystoplasty which is where they fillet the bladder open and take a 1ft section of your bowel and create a “pouch-like” cover over the incision. Within 4 mos. Post-op I was back up to holding 700-800mls! It was a miracle. Thanks to my Urologist @ USF which came recommended by every Dr I had consulted. He is famed to be the best in the South East. Here is the info on the Vocare system….

CLEVELAND--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 5, 1999--The world's first commercially available implanted device that restores bladder function to people with spinal cord injury was approved today for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE) provision. Called the VOCARE Bladder System, this neuroprosthetic device for people with complete spinal cord injury at any level allows people to empty the bladder without the use of catheters, medications or adaptive equipment.

There is also the InterStim device which is essentially the same thing.

The implantable InterStim® neurostimulator uses mild electrical stimulation of the sacral nerves to influence the behavior of the bladder, sphincter, and pelvic floor muscles. While anticholinergic drugs address the muscle component in urinary control, the InterStim neurostimulator addresses the nerve component. 1-2
In properly selected patients, the InterStim neurostimulator can dramatically reduce or eliminate symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary retention. Mild electrical pulses stimulate those nerves that provide the most distal common autonomic and somatic nerve supply to the pelvic floor and lower urinary tract.* 3
*The precise mechanism of action has not been established.

[my2wheelsdown102107]

Although ReWalk is a major advancement in tech. I find this field of research very promising!!!!!!!!!!

Paralyzed Rats Walk Again

http://www.msnbc.msn...950285#32950285

Edited by my2wheelsdown102107, 18 February 2010 - 11:38 PM.

[ss770640]

ach! i have seen so many "rat walking" stories i am beginning to wish i was a rat.

at least that way i wont have to wait 3,567 years before "research" hits the hospitals.

:o)