Tomorrow, at the PEAK Center at Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colo, a Craig outpatient with quadriplegia is scheduled to conduct a live demonstration of the latest technology for walking with technological assistance. The demonstration will reportedly feature the Ekso exoskeleton, Ekso Bionics, Berkeley, Calif, previously known as “eLEGS,” a bionic, wearable robot designed to allow those with lower-extremity weakness or paralysis to stand and walk.
According to a news release, Craig was one of the initial training sites for the Ekso exoskeleton and is one of the first licensed U.S. centers to purchase the device for ongoing research and activity-based training. Ekso is a ready-to-wear, battery-powered exoskeleton that is strapped over the user’s clothing. It is designed to provide knee flexion and can be quickly adjusted to fit most people reaching 5 feet 2 inches to 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 220 pounds or less.
“The company’s mission is to provide people with unprecedented mobility options,” Eythor Bender, chief executive officer of Ekso Bionics, says. “Many of the 6 million Americans who live with some form of paralysis today were highly active and at the top of their game when they sustained their injury.” With Ekso, Bender says, individuals with limited or no mobility have the opportunity to stand and walk for the first time since their injury.
Craig staff will also reportedly be available to explain how the exoskeleton works, and experts in the PEAK Center are scheduled to participate in a Q & A.
At the demonstration, Craig also plans to feature the new ZeroG suspension system from Bioness, Valencia, Calif, which can be used in conjunction with Ekso and has also been recently purchased by the center.
Source: Craig Hospital
