There are a myriad of reasons, from severe spinal cord injuries to leg injuries, which can cause someone to lose the ability to walk. But now, as technology advances, and seemingly surreal mechanisms are produced, semi-paralyzed victims may be able to walk again with the help of exoskeletons.
Rewalk, a groundbreaking robotic exoskeleton, gives people a chance to walk again with its mechanical legs and accompanying crutches. Unveiled at React, a spinal cord injury rehabilitation center in Dallas, Texas, Rewalk gave Marcela Turnage, who has not been able to walk for over 12 years since suffering a car accident, the chance to take a few steps again.
“It has changed my life,” Ms. Turnage said. “It has given me a different perspective about life.”
Rewalk is replete, in addition to its already mentioned mechanical legs and crutches, with a 28-volt lithium ion battery backpack that powers the system and lasts up to eight hours. The exoskeleton controls the movement of the hips and knees through its electrical charge, allowing previously paralyzed people to stand, walk, and turn. Also, computers and motion sensors are attached to the system, so users can naturally walk or climb stairs.
How the exoskeleton functions is punctiliously described by the blog web and techs:
“Users clamp the tilt sensor to the left side of their body in a brace and wear a watch that allows them to tell the exoskeleton whether to sit, stand, walk, or climb steps. The height of each step is entered into the exoskeleton’s computer each time before it’s used to ascend or descend stairs. Motor pods are strapped to users’ upper and lower legs to drive them forward when walking, standing, and climbing. They also keep the body firmly in place. Wearers slip on carbon fiber footplates that hold up the weight of the exoskeleton and themselves. Wearers should have the ability to use their hands and their shoulders, for the crutches are used to keep the body balanced.”
Right now, the Rewalk is the only FDA approved exoskeleton that allows users to stand and walk. Also, this exoskeleton provides countless health benefits such as increased cardiovascular activity, improved sitting posture, and decreased body fat, among others. At the moment, Rewalk costs $70,000 and must be approved by the users physician before use, in addition to completing a course at one of its worldwide training facilities. Hopefully, in the near future, Rewalk will be accessible to those able to benefit from it, and help those that have lost the ability to walk regain some lost faculties.
Source: Webandtechs.com
