Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a robotic exoskeleton company, announced today that SPC Nottwil has finished training their team of physiotherapists with their Ekso GT™ robotic exoskeleton for neurorehabilitation and started to book patients to learn how to walk again.
SPC Nottwil is the largest of Switzerland's four special clinics for para and tetraplegics; they consistently treat over 70% of all people with spinal paralysis in Switzerland and are fully occupied all year round. They have joined an esteemed group of European centers with an Ekso™ robotic exoskeleton including the top rated Insitut Guttman in Spain and The Clinic for Spinal Cord Injuries in Hornbaek, Denmark, now part of Glostrup Hospital. Robotic exoskeletons have been gaining adoption in the neurorehabilitation community as a strong and growing body of evidence shows they are able to engage the principles of neuroplasticity for improved patient outcomes.
"It's a huge accomplishment for us to be in these three top rated rehabilitation hospitals in Europe," said Ekso Bionics chief executive officer Nate Harding. "The fact that such leading centers purchased our devices and are making our device available to their patients is exciting – that is what I'd call winning the 'Triple Crown' of European rehab."
Recent studies in Europe have shown a range of potential benefits using the Ekso GT robotic exoskeleton in neurorehabilitation. In a study at BG Hospital Bergmannstrost Halle, measuring quality of life, patients reported their pain was reduced from walking in an Ekso Bionics robotic exoskeleton. The Company believes pain reduction is a particularly meaningful benefit when one considers a possible correlating reduction of medication and side effects. Bergmannstrost also reported a reduction in spasticity and an overall improvement in quality of life. All 13 subjects stated that the ability to stand and walk over ground again had a definite positive effect in mental wellbeing. As the study described, "To be able to approach someone at eye level and literally be able 'to look someone in the eye' again was often described as incredible." These results outline some of the reasons that neurorehabilitation centers around the world are integrating Ekso Bionics technology into their practice.
Ekso Bionics designs, develops, and commercializes exoskeletons, or wearable robots, which have a variety of applications in the medical, military, industrial, and consumer markets. Exoskeletons are ready-to-wear, battery-powered robots that are strapped over the user's clothing, enabling individuals to achieve mobility, strength, and endurance not otherwise possible. Ekso Bionics' lead product, Ekso, is a wearable bionic suit that enables individuals with any amount of lower extremity weakness to stand up and walk over ground. It is the only robotic exoskeleton to offer variable assist which provides varying amounts of power to each side and makes it an optimal rehabilitation device for those with hemiplegia. With a CE 2A classification in Europe and a class 1 FDA approval in the United States, Ekso is forging a new frontier in rehabilitation for people living with the consequences of stroke, spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions affecting gait.
About Ekso Bionics
Since 2005, Ekso Bionics has been pioneering the field of robotic exoskeletons, or wearable robots, to augment human strength, endurance and mobility. The company's first commercially available product called Ekso has helped thousands of people living with paralysis take millions of steps not otherwise possible. By designing and creating some of the most forward-thinking and innovative solutions for people looking to augment human capabilities, Ekso Bionics is helping people rethink current physical limitations and achieve the remarkable.
Source: http://www.eksobionics.com/