by chinarobot
There are almost 250,000 paralyzed people in the U.S. because ofspinal cord injury. Most of them are using electric wheelchairs to movearound. But now, Hocoma, a Swiss company, has designed a roboticdevice, named Lokomat, which can help paralyzed people to walk on treadmills, reports the Associated Press.After training, some of the patients, who rebuild confidence by usingthe Lokomat, have also regained muscle power and can walk over shortdistances. Today, the Lokomats are available at a price of about$250,000, which certainly explains why there are only 14 Lokomats inuse in the U.S. But prices will certainly decrease in the future.
Hereare the opening paragraphs of the Associated Pressstory.
With each swish of the robotic device attached to hislegs,Chuck Benefield takes a step, smiling easily as he clocks in an hour onthe treadmill.
"It feels good to be up there going," said Benefield,who was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 2003.
With a harness supporting his weight over thetreadmill,Benefield's legs and hips are strapped into a robotic exoskeleton,known as the Lokomat, which simulates a walking motion as he "stands"in front of a large mirror at the University of Texas SouthwesternMedical Center in Dallas.
As of today, the Lokomats are not in widespreadusage.
Dr. Keith Tansey, who coordinates Southwestern'sclinicalprogram for spinal-cord injury, said more research is needed before theLokomat becomes more widely available.
About 14 Lokomats, which cost about $250,000 each,are now available in the United States.
 | Here is a photograph of a patient trying the Lokomat (Credit:Hocoma, Switzerland). |
| And this one shows the automated equipment without a patient.(Credit: Hocoma, Switzerland) |
Here are more details about Benefield's experience with therobotic device.
"I knew it was going to be a tough road," saidBenefield,who could only move one big toe after the accident. "My goal is to beas self-sufficient as I can be." The Lokomat may help him dothat.
In May, about a year after his accident, Benefieldwalkedacross a room with the help of three therapists and a walker. Theprocess was slow and he needed a lot of help, but he started to movehis legs on his own. Benefield still needs the help of therapists and awalker, but he now moves his legs on his own most of thetime.
He says working on the Lokomat has helped reduce theswelling in his legs and improve his endurance. He's regained muscletone and feeling in his legs. His fingers, tightly curled before hestarted his workout, become more loose after an hour on the machine,Benefield said.
The above images have been extracted from one of the twoLokomat short movies available from Hocoma ofSwitzerland. You'll find additional information about this technologyat Hocomaand WoodwayTreadmills who entered a joint venture todistribute the Lokomat.
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