Draper Laboratories is reportedly planning for the 1st human study of its neural implants for amputees to begin in late 2016 or early 2017. This follows Phase I findings that demonstrated Draper’s wireless electronics package for its implantable devices work effectively by achieving a high bandwidth communication capacity of 20 megabits per second, relaying information quickly and efficiently. […]
Prosthetics
Amputees’ brain remember missing limbs even years later
Researchers from Oxford University demonstrated that amputees’ brains can remember their missing hands, even 30 years later. At Oxford University’s Hand & Brain Lab, the researchers used an ultra-high-power MRI scanner to monitor the brain activity of 2 people who lost their left hands 25 to 30 years ago. The scientists also scanned the brains […]
Coapt looks to bring prosthetic electrodes into the 21st century
When Jodie O’Connell-Ponkos was 16, she lost her right arm in a meat-grinding accident.* She was given a prosthesis, but quickly came to hate it. It was a standard myoelectric system, using a pair of electrodes. The electrodes measured signals from her muscles, which in turn activated sensors telling the prosthetic to move. She found […]
Ability Dynamics wins CE Marks for Rush foot prostheses
Ability Dynamics said yesterday that it won CE Mark approval in the European Union for its Rush line of foot prostheses. Tempe, Ariz.-based Ability Dynamics said its Rush Kid ultra-low-profile pediatric foot and the Rush Rover ultra-low-profile adult foot both won marketing approval in Europe. Its Rush HiPro and Rush LoPro devices have already been approved across the […]
DEKA’s LUKE prosthetic robotic arm set to debut later this year
The robotic LUKE arm developed by Dean Kamen’s DEKA research and development company is looking to hit the market later this year, being commercialized by Mobius Bionics. The LUKE arm is designed as a robotic prosthetic arm for patients with forearm through shoulder-level amputations, and allows for a range of different motion, including overhead, behind […]
Swedish Bioservo Technologies licenses GM-NASA developed RoboGlove, looks to Med uses
Swedish medtech company Bioservo Technologies said today it is licensing robotic glove technology developed through a partnership between General Motors and NASA, looking to a possible developments of soft exoskeleton tech for medical uses. Bioservo will combine tech from its Soft Extra Muscle glove with the force-multiplying tech from the RoboGlove, planning uses for the […]
Vodafone to connect Ekso rehab exoskeletons to the IoT
Robotic exoskeletons designed for rehabilitation from Ekso Bionics (OTCBB:EKSO) are being upgraded with a connection to the “Internet of Things” from Vodafone, the companies said today. The Ekso GT, which Vodafone said is the 1st and only exoskeleton cleared by the FDA for use with both stroke patients and spinal cord injuries, will be upgraded to connect […]
ReWalk inks collab deal with Harvard to develop “soft” exosuit
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) said today it inked a collaborative research with Harvard’s Wyss Institute to develop a lightweight “soft suit” exoskeleton system for lower limb disabilities. The collaboration looks to design a suit to treat stroke, multiple sclerosis and mobility limitations for the elderly as well as other applications. Through the agreement, ReWalk will pay Harvard […]
ReWalk Robotics touts reimbursement win for powered exoskeleton
ReWalk Robotics (NSDQ:RWLK) said today it won reimbursement coverage through a commercial health insurance plan which made changes to include powered exoskeletons for ambulation in patients with lower limb disabilities. 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 array of sensors […]
SRI International spins off wearable robotics biz Superflex
Research group SRI International said yesterday it is spinning off a wearable robotics focused biz Superflex, which aims to develop robotics to enhance the human musculoskeletal system. The technology at the base of newly spun-off Superflex was originally developed for the “Warrior Web” program, a DARPA-funded effort to enhance soldier performance, reduce injury risk and […]
Battelle’s NeuroLife uses thought to control paralyzed limbs
Researchers at Battelle today published a paper in Nature covering the progress of its NeuroLife system, implanted in quadriplegic patient Ian Burkhart. In 2014, Burkhart became the 1st patient ever to achieve motor control of his paralyzed arms and hands through his own thoughts. The NeuroLife system restored enough motion for Burkhart to perform tasks […]