New Robot Helps Stroke Patients Learn to Walk
From: PT Products - 09/24/2008

The KineAssist Walking & Balance Exercise System, winner of the prestigious
international Industrial Design Excellence Award, is being introduced at
Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital to help patients recovering from stroke to
learn to ambulate again. 

The new KineAssist Robot increases physical therapists’ ability to safely
challenge patients in real-life tasks, since it protects them from falling.
Fully supported and held in a safe position even if they lose their balance,
patients using the KineAssist Robot feel safer and more confident as they
build strength and stamina.  Its portability means it can be used in a wide
variety of clinical settings, even outside.  

The KineAssist Robot applies robotic technology to helping patients learn to
walk, step sideways, climb stairs and regain the balance, strength and
mobility to carry on daily activities.  

The KineAssist Robot enables PTs to safely perform more intensive and
effective therapy, while enhancing the connection between them and their
patients. This type of body weight support was previously limited to a
treadmill with a harness.  

The KineAssist allows total mobility and removes the need for therapists to
support the patient’s weight, freeing them for other hands-on interaction. It
also accurately records patient performance data and reports objective
measures of progress.  

Developed through a joint venture of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
(RIC) and Kinea Design, Evanston, IL, a company of expert physical therapists
and engineers, the KineAssist Robot has been in clinical trials since 2004.  

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ptproductsonline.com/SOAPNotes/2008-09-24_03.asp

Links:
Industrial Design Excellence Award
http://www.idsa.org/IDEA

Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital
http://www.alexianbrothershealth.org/services/arh/index.aspx

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
http://www.ric.org/

Kinea Design
http://www.kineadesign.com/