NASA Robotics May Soon Help Spinal Cord Patients Take First Steps
Date: 12/11/2000
Source: AScribe Newswire

Pasadena, CA, Dec. 11 (AScribe News) -- NASA engineers and neurophysiologists
at the University of California, Los Angeles, are creating a robot-like
device that could help rehabilitate thousands of Americans with spinal cord
injuries.  

"We are developing a prototype robotic stepper device that, when complete,
will be used as part of rehabilitation that can potentially help some people
now wheelchair-bound take their first steps," said Jim Weiss, program manager
for collaborative neural repair at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, Calif. "This system can do the work of four therapists and help
monitor a patient's progress in a controlled manner." 

The device, still in the development phase, will look like a treadmill with
robotic arms, and will be fitted with a harness to support the patient's
weight. The arms resemble knee braces that attach to the patient's leg,
guiding the legs properly on the moving treadmill.  

The robotic stepper device is one of several projects in the Neural Repair
Program at the UCLA Brain Research Institute and JPL. UCLA neurologists now
believe that by using the robotic stepper device in rehabilitation, some
patients who are functionally confined to wheelchairs may be able to learn to
walk again, and those with limited movement could improve their level of
walking.  

NASA and UCLA researchers emphasize the robotic stepper is still in
development and is not yet ready for use in rehabilitation. However, the
device could be part of clinical trials at UCLA in about three years.  

"We see tremendous potential for rehabilitation that uses this form of
therapy," said Dr. Reggie Edgerton, professor in the departments of
physiological science and neurobiology at UCLA.  

"Some rehabilitation centers around the world are starting programs that will
allow therapists to train individuals affected with spinal injuries, stroke
and perhaps other neuromotor disorders to improve their mobility and stepping
capacity," Edgerton said. "This robotic device could help therapists in those
rehabilitation efforts." 

Current rehabilitation therapies are labor-intensive and require up to four
therapists. Unlike therapists who only sense and observe a patient's
progress, the robotic device takes precise measurements of the person's
force, speed, acceleration, and resistance, counting each step the patient
takes. These precise measurements help therapists monitor the day-to-day
progress of their patients and provide valuable information on the
effectiveness of the therapy. These measurements will be used by a control
system that can assist the robotic stepper device as needed.  

JPL robotic engineers have worked alongside therapists to develop the device,
which has highly sensitive sensors that collect up to 24 different data
readings of the patient's activity. The device, connected to a computer,
displays the information on the screen for the therapist to monitor.  

According to Weiss, this same device could also someday be useful to
astronauts and help them walk safely after prolonged periods in space, such
as extended missions on the International Space Station.  

JPL and UCLA are actively pursuing efforts to commercialize the robotic
system. JPL technically supported UCLA in filing a patent application in
August.  

"Many technologies developed at NASA for space exploration have tremendous
medical applications. We can provide practical solutions based on our
engineering experience," said Dr. Antal Bejczy, senior research scientist and
lead engineer on the robotic stepper device at JPL.  

http://services.sciencewise.com/content/index.cfm?swpass=042553141200228556&bla=228556&objectid=2911

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From: NASA Tech News
NASA engineers are teaming with UCLA neurophysiologists to create a robotic
device that could help rehabilitate thousands of Americans with spinal cord
injuries.  

The device, still under development, will resemble a treadmill with robotic
arms, and will be fitted with a harness to support the patient's weight. The
arms will attach to the patient's legs and guide them properly on the moving
treadmill. 

"It can potentially help some people now wheelchair-bound take their first
steps," said Jim Weiss, program manager at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(Pasadena, CA). "This system can do the work of four therapists and help
monitor a patient's progress in a controlled manner."  

While therapists can only sense and observe a patient's progress, the robotic
stepper device will capture precise measurements of the person's force,
speed, acceleration, and resistance, using sensors to count each step and
collect up to 24 different data readings. These measurements will help
therapists monitor patients' day-to-day progress and provide valuable
information on the effectiveness of the therapy.  

According to Weiss, the same device may also assist astronauts in walking
safely after prolonged periods in space, such as extended missions on the
International Space Station. 

The patent-pending technology could be part of clinical trials at UCLA within
three years. For more info, contact Carolina Martinez of JPL at 818/354-9382
or Harlan Lebo of UCLA at 310/206-0510.