Mechanical engineers from ETH Zurich have developed a prototype exoskeleton, the VariLeg, which they say more accurately mimics natural knee gait to give it an advantage on uneven terrain. The newly developed prosthetic is designed to continuously change knee stiffness so it can adapt to irregular surfaces or obstacles, according to a Reuters report. “Here […]
Prosthetics
LIM Innovations wins CMS reimbursement for Infinite Socket
LIM Innovations said today it won reimbursement coverage from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for it Infinite Socket prosthetic socket device. The Infinite Socket is a custom-molded modular prosthetic socket designed to provide greater comfort and freedom while walking to amputees. “We appreciate Medicare’s thorough evaluation of the Infinite Socket. Our product can […]
Coapt licenses implantable Purdue tech for prosthetics
Coapt said it licensed implantable technology from the Purdue Research Foundation for implantable electrodes used to amplify the signal between muscles and prosthetic limbs. Chicago-based Coapt said it plans to use the subcutaneous electrodes in conjunction with its Complete Control system, which is designed to decode the signals for more intuitive feeling and control for the amputee. “Our […]
Parker Hannifin wins FDA nod for Indego exoskeleton
Parker Hannifin Corp said today it won FDA clearance for its Indego exosekelton designed to allow patients with spinal cord injuries to stand and walk for both clinical and personal use. The Cleveland, Ohio-based company said the approval came based on the largest exoskeleton clinical trial conducted to date in the U.S. The Indego is […]
Zimmer Biomet buys Ortho Transmission’s direct-to-skeleton prosthetic attachment tech
Zimmer Biomet (NYSE:ZBH) said yesterday that it acquired Ortho Transmission and its transcutaneous osseous integrated skeletal implant technology for an undisclosed amount. The buyout dovetails with Zimmer Biomet’s joint program with the U.S. Defense Dept. to develop a transcutaneous system for anchoring external prosthetic limbs. Developed over a 10-year span by Dr. Ronald Hugate Jr., a former U.S. military surgeon, […]
FDA warns ReWalk on lack of post-market surveillance for exoskeleton
The FDA today released a warning letter it sent to ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK), formerly Argo Medical, over a failure to submit a post-market surveillance report on its ReWalk exoskeleton device addressing issues with injuries during falls while operating the device. The agency detailed a string of back-and-forth communications between it and the ReWalk maker going […]
ReWalk chalks up reimbursement win for exoskeleton system
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) said today it won coverage and reimbursement for its ReWalk Personal exoskeleton systems from a commercial health plan in the Northwest region of the U.S. The approval was made following the ruling of an independent review organization that overturned an initial denial of coverage. The Israeli comapny said the beneficiary in the […]
VA to launch trial of ReWalk’s exoskeleton system
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) said today that the Department of Veterans Affairs released details of a planned 4-year, national, multi-center study of ReWalk’s Personal 6.0 exoskeleton systems. The aptly named Exoskeleton Assisted-Walking in Persons with SCI: Impact on Quality of Life study is slated to enroll 160 patients at 6 participating VA Medical Centers across California, Florida, Massachusetts, […]
BionX pulls in $17m in Series E
BionX said yesterday it pulled in $17 million in a Series E funding round, looking to bring in an additional $8 million by the end of the 1st quarter of 2016 to support its Biom powered ankle prosthesis. The round was led by Beijing-based investor ZGC Shiner Investment and joined by existing investors, according to the […]
BionX adds $11.4m for powered ankle prosthetic
BionX said it added $11.4 million to the $6 million it drummed up last year for its Biom powered ankle prosthesis. BionX, previously known as BiOM (which was formerly known as iWalk), said in a regulatory filing that the new backing comes from a quartet of investors from outside the U.S. Almost exactly 1 year ago, the Bedford, […]
ReWalk Robotics rockets on VA deal
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) said yesterday that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued a policy to evaluate, train and procure its personal exoskeleton systems for all qualifying veterans in the U.S. ReWalk develops and produces exoskeletons designed to restore self-initiated walking for patients with spinal cord injuries. The personal system is battery-powered and features an […]