Bionic Leg makes stroke rehabilitation easier

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2011/04/tibion-bionic-leg-makes-stroke-rehabilitation-easier/


The size of this orthotic is huge
Stroke patients know that early detection is vital, as every single second counts since delayed help will result in the worsening of one’s condition. Having said that, once one has received ample and correct medical treatment for their condition, the long hard road of recovery begins – and this would mean going through rehabilitation programs that are specially designed for stroke patients. Those who need help with walking again might look towards the Tibion Bionic Leg – where it was originally designed for people with muscle problems, arthritis, as well as those who are in post surgery to regain missing strength. This redesigned medical tool is touted to help stroke patients benefit from the therapeutic advantages of the system.
Currently being primed for use in the US by rehabilitation centers as part of their training aid in helping recover a proper walking gait, the software used will control the knee – and this software has been specially rewritten to work for stroke rehab. According to the company, the system is currently going through trials with 24 different patients over at the New York Presbyterian hospital.

Among the key components that are found in the Tibion Bionic Leg would be a pressure-sensing shoe insert that detects and measures the amount of weight a patient is applying to his/her affected leg, a computer into which the therapist programs the amount of support to be provided to the patient’s affected leg during different tasks, a couple of motors within the Bionic Leg to provide adequate support and an angle sensor in the knee, which informs the computer what the patient is doing or likely to do. Let’s hope it won’t be too expensive to the masses when available.


I can't see this being any cheaper than the Bioness or Walk-aide but it might allow severely affected survivors to walk again. One time my PT put a full leg AFO on that went to my thigh. It weighed so much that I didn't have the muscle power to move it. He would walk behind me and kick the foot of the orthotic to get that leg to move. Unless the Tibion leg is also self powered I don't see how someone needing all that support will ever be able to move that leg.