Tue, 10 Jul 2007 20:16:0
Nidhi Sharma - AHN News Writer
Boston, MA (AHN) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reportedly approved a robotic arm brace - e100 NeuroRobotic System - especially designed to help stroke survivors regain use of paralyzed limbs and relearn how to move affected muscles.
Its manufacturer Myomo Inc. said on Tuesday that it now plans to market the new system to rehabilitation clinics and medical specialists after getting FDA's approval.
The device is worn as an arm brace and works by sensing a weak electrical activity in patients' arm muscles. It provides just enough assistance for the user to perform small tasks like lifting boxes or flipping on light switches.
Sensors placed on the front and back parts of the upper arm detect slight muscle contractions, which in turn start off a motor contained in a backpack that the user also wears. The backpack allows the user to control the arm's movement.
When a user gets used to simple tasks life lifting and flipping, he may begin to relearn how to extend and flex the arm. The process will help him rebuild and strengthen the neurological pathways in the process.
Without using any electrical impulses, the device helps the stroke patient use their own biological signals to recover muscle control, which was lost by the destruction of brain cells during the stroke.
According to AP reports, researchers are now hoping that with repetitive therapy, other neurons in the arm can take over some of the lost function thus helping reduce the immobility to quite an extent.
The device is expected to cost $5,000 to $10,000, with specific pricing information to be released soon. However, e 100 is currently approved for use in clinical settings, and hasn't yet been shown to be safe or effective for home use.
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