Bionic Suit Lets Paralyzed Patients Take First Steps Again

[risklight]

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This week, Aaron Bloom did something he hasn't been able to do since his accidental fall in July 2010: he took a walk.

The 27 year old is one of three patients testing the Esko, a battery-powered bionic suit or exoskeleton, which is strapped over his clothing.


"I don't really need anybody holding on to me,” he said. “I can lift my hands up and put a little weight through these crutches, and feel pretty comfortable."


Huntington Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in Southern California to offer this new technology to patients.


"Spinal cord injury patients, there is no cure for that right now. They can't walk on their own. They can put long leg braces on and do it, but it's an awkward walk," said Michael Parkinson, with Huntington Hospital Rehabilitation.


"To see a patient come in, and put the device on and walk, just even though it was 10 feet when they first showed us, was pretty incredible."


Sensors in the foot plate pinpoint the center of gravity so Bloom can balance and take a step. The back pack is a computer with two lithium batteries on either side to drive the hip and knee motors.

[Code Talker]

Amazing. I'm sure naa sad ni commercial and military applications.

[ramborasta]

This week, Aaron Bloom did something he hasn't been able to do since his accidental fall in July 2010: he took a walk.

The 27 year old is one of three patients testing the Esko, a battery-powered bionic suit or exoskeleton, which is strapped over his clothing.


"I don't really need anybody holding on to me,” he said. “I can lift my hands up and put a little weight through these crutches, and feel pretty comfortable."


Huntington Memorial Hospital is the first hospital in Southern California to offer this new technology to patients.


"Spinal cord injury patients, there is no cure for that right now. They can't walk on their own. They can put long leg braces on and do it, but it's an awkward walk," said Michael Parkinson, with Huntington Hospital Rehabilitation.


"To see a patient come in, and put the device on and walk, just even though it was 10 feet when they first showed us, was pretty incredible."


Sensors in the foot plate pinpoint the center of gravity so Bloom can balance and take a step. The back pack is a computer with two lithium batteries on either side to drive the hip and knee motors.

asa ang source ani?

[coccomomoa]

Very cool suit so functional.