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"... It's fastened around the user's waist and upper thighs, where it utilizes integrated sensors to continuously monitor the current phase of their walking gait. The device uses this data to strategically apply a small amount of motorized assistance via cable-driven actuators, which work in tandem with the wearer's own muscles to keep their legs swinging forward. ...
A commercial model of the exoskeleton is now in the works. ..."
A commercial model of the exoskeleton is now in the works. ..."
From the abstract:
"Freezing of gait (FoG) is a profoundly disruptive gait disturbance in Parkinson’s disease, causing unintended stops while walking. Therapies for FoG reveal modest and transient effects, resulting in a lack of effective treatments. Here we show proof of concept that FoG can be averted using soft robotic apparel that augments hip flexion. The wearable garment uses cable-driven actuators and sensors, generating assistive moments in concert with biological muscles. In this n-of-1 trial with five repeated measurements spanning 6 months, a 73-year-old male with Parkinson’s disease and substantial FoG demonstrated a robust response to robotic apparel. With assistance, FoG was instantaneously eliminated during indoor walking (0% versus 39 ± 16% time spent freezing when unassisted), accompanied by 49 ± 11 m (+55%) farther walking compared to unassisted walking, faster speeds (+0.18 m s−1) and improved gait quality (−25% in gait variability). FoG-targeting effects were repeatable across multiple days, provoking conditions and environment contexts, demonstrating potential for community use. This study demonstrated that FoG was averted using soft robotic apparel in an individual with Parkinson’s disease, serving as an impetus for technological advancements in response to this serious yet unmet need."
Soft robotic, wearable device improves walking for individual with Parkinson’s disease (Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) Robotic exosuit eliminated gait freezing, a common and highly debilitating symptom
Soft robotic apparel to avert freezing of gait in Parkinson’s disease (no public access)
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