Richard's invention shows getting in a flap aids recovery from stroke

All this writing and no explanation of what it does or how to use it. The link I put in barely helps.
http://www.lochaber-news.co.uk/News/Richards-invention-shows-getting-in-a-flap-aids-recovery-from-stroke-17022016.htm

A patient is shown how to use “The Flapper”

A LOCHABER man’s latest invention is helping to speed up the recovery of stroke victims around the world.
People who have suffered strokes have been shown to recover three times faster when using his company’s new device – known as “The Flapper” – compared to those receiving conventional treatment.

Richard Little with a Rex pair of robotic legs

Richard Little, who lived in Upper Achintore, Lochyside and Garvan, before moving to New Zealand in 1992, hit the headlines when he was involved in developing robotic assisted mobility devices to enable people in wheelchairs to stand and walk.
And he has now formed a new company called Exsurgo Rehab to deliver accelerated stroke recovery.
Mr Little said: “I have a personal interest in stroke. It has been something I have been passionate about since my mother had a stroke in 2001.
“The first of our products is a bilateral priming device, affectionately known by patients as ‘The Flapper’, that was shown in four clinical trials of 176 patients to accelerate recovery by a factor of three times and for the patient to maintain that recovery longer than conventional treatment.
“The flapper really is about brain science rather than robotics, but the plan is to expand the product range into a suite of upper limb devices to assist and improve stoke recovery with multiple targeted treatments.”
He explained that the company took its name from the Latin verb “exsurgo”, meaning to rise, get up or stand up.
Mr Little said: “Stroke is a very real and very human problem that will touch all of our lives at some point in the future, if it hasn’t already done so.
“The scale of the problem worldwide is massive and, with the unique experience and robotic technology of the Exsurgo Rehab team, we can make a significant and positive impact on this problem.
“The health benefits and subsequent reductions in healthcare costs of repetitive, targeted exercise as part of a stroke rehabilitation programme are well documented in medical literature.”
He added that Exsurgo Rehab product lines were targeted at two different levels of sophistication and cost – one for rehabilitation centres and a lower cost, simpler model for home use.
Mr Little, who attended Fort William and Upper Achintore primary schools, before moving on to the high school, also did a commercial diving course at the Diving Centre in Fort William.
Although he is now based in New Zealand, he has worked in many places around the world, including USA, Canada, the Far East, the Middle East, the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
He co-founded Rex Bionics with Robert Irving, from Caol, about seven years ago when Robert received a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and realised he may need to use a wheelchair in future.
The two life-long friends dreamed of making a product that would enable people with wheelchairs to stand and walk.
Working with a team of talented people, they launched the Rex pair of robotic legs.
Mr Little said: “I really want to make a difference and every time I see someone smile when they stand in a Rex or see someone regain functionality after a stroke it makes all the hard work, energy and sacrifices worthwhile.”