Rehab Robot
From: Technology Review - March 2001 - page 23

One of the most inspirational scenes in the movies is the one in which a
paralyzed patient painstakinly relearns how to walk. In real life, however,
it's often hard to find enough qualified therapists to provide timely
rehabilitation. The solution may lie in robotics. With the help of
neurophysiologists at the University of California, Los Angeles, engineers at
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory are developing a robotic stepper device that
can speed rehabilitation of spinal cord and stroke patients. Taking the place
of up to four therapists, the prototype treadmill device is equipped with
robotic knee braces that attach to a patient's legs. Sensors continuously
monitor 24 distinct data elements, such as force, speed, resistance, and
number of steps. These measurements help therapists evaluate progress and
adjust the stepper device accordingly. The experimental device could enter
clinical trials at UCLA within three years.

http://www.today.ucla.edu/html/010117robotic.html
