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Exoskeleton

More is Possible, 25.03.2024

Mobility impairments are the most prevalent of all disabilities, affecting the life of nearly one in 20 individuals in developed countries. In the most severe cases, they can have dramatic consequences for the social,mental and physical well-being of those impacted. Wearable robots, also known as exoskeletons, are devices that can physically help humans to achieve certain tasks by compensating a disability or augmenting their capacity. Such

devices have already proven to temporarily restore some physical function such as the ability to walk for individuals who had suffered a spinal cord injury (SCI). As of today, their limited performance has however prevented them from being widely accepted and used in community. Their high cost, bulkiness, weight, poor usability and limited intelligence are often regarded as a cause. [1]

Exoskeleton_1

Technology

An exoskeleton is a wearable device that is designed to enhance human strength and performance. It is composed of a frame (worn outside the body), motors, levers, and actuators that power the exoskeleton. Exoskeletons have different applications, including health care, industrial work, and military operations. Health care: In health care, exoskeletons are mainly used in medical rehabilitation to help patients regain movement and strength in their limbs after an injury or illness. They are used to provide support in the knee and hip joints, which allow patients to stand and walk.

Application

Exoskeletons for individual users:

  • Getting more functionality and mobility to disabled persons
  • Increase mental strength and health in people with SCI while standing and walking upright at the same level as people with no disability.
  • Reducing effects which people suffer from Spinal Cord Injury

Exoskeletons for rehab centers and specialized clinics:

  • Increasing Neuroplasticity during first Rehabilitation and further Outpatient therapy
  • Reducing effects which people suffer from Spinal Cord Injury

Benefits

Effects of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI):

  • Extreme bone loss (osteoporosis)
  • Knee fractures are most prevalent
  • Lean tissue loss
  • Total body fat mass gain
  • Increased abdominal fat
  • Reduced HDL-C
  • Increased insulin resistance
  • Increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus
  • Increased prevalence of heart disease
  • Difficulty with bowel evacuation
  • Moderate to severe constipation
  • Bladder complications and infections
  • Defecation and voiding accidents
  • Chronic Pain
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Interrupted sleep
  • Reduced quality of life (QoL)

Effects reduced by Exoskeletons due to some studie results - but still needs more data to manifest:

  • Extreme bone loss (osteoporosis)
  • Knee fractures are most prevalent
  • Lean tissue loss
  • Total body fat mass gain
  • Increased abdominal fat
  • Reduced HDL-C
  • Increased insulin resistance
  • Increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus
  • Increased prevalence of heart disease
  • Difficulty with bowel evacuation
  • Moderate to severe constipation
  • Bladder complications and infections
  • Defecation and voiding accidents
  • Chronic Pain
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Interrupted sleep
  • Reduced quality of life (QoL) [2] 
Please have a look into the following chapters for additional information on this topic:
Ekso Bionic-NR Exoskeleton Ekso Bionic Indego Exoskeleton Rewalk Exoskeleton Twiice Exoskeleton