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High-Tech Suit Gives Hope to Paralyzed

Israel's ReWalk exoskeleton lets patients paralyzed from the waist down stand upright

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 27, 2008 2:53 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A mechanical exoskeleton developed by an Israeli firm allows paraplegics to stand upright and walk, the BBC reports. The ReWalk device consists of a backpack, leg braces and a wrist controller. Once a mode is selected, such as climbing stairs, leaning forward activates motors in the braces. “It lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact,” one health professional said.

The device is only feasible for patients “who still have good control over their hands and shoulders,” a doctor said, and “might not be any better than a wheelchair in terms of convenience.” Regardless, for one patient ReWalk was a revelation: “Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below.”

The ReWalk exoskeleton.
The ReWalk exoskeleton.   (AP Photo)
A man, paralyzed from the waist down.
A man, paralyzed from the waist down.   (AP Photo)
A young woman paralyzed in a diving accident.
A young woman paralyzed in a diving accident.   (AP Photo)
The ReWalk exoskeleton mimics the outer bone structure of a crab.
The ReWalk exoskeleton mimics the outer bone structure of a crab.   (AP Photo)
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Physically, the body works differently when upright. You can challenge different muscles and allow full expansion of the lungs. Psychologically, it lets people live at the upright level and make eye contact. - Kate Parkin, NYU Medical Center

I never dreamed I would walk again. After I was wounded, I forgot what it's like. Only when standing up can I feel how tall I really am and speak to people eye to eye, not from below. - Radi Kaiof, paraplegic

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Other prostheses include a mind-controlled robot arm
Wired

Website of the ReWalk maker
Argo Medical Technology

Video of a demonstration
Engadget

 
Israel • medical devices • robotics • paralysis • robot device • walking • exoskeleton • ReWalk

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