Improving rehabilitation with self-stabilizing exoskeletons

Exoskeletons offer a versatile tool for rehabilitation by providing assistance and targeted support for individuals with mobility challenges. They facilitate early mobilization, which is crucial to prevent complications associated with prolonged bed rest. By allowing patients to stand and walk with support, exoskeletons contribute to faster recovery and improved overall well-being.

In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com Jean-Louis Constanza elaborated on the positive effects a self-stabilizing exoskeleton can have for rehabilitation.

Mr. Constanza, why are exoskeletons a great tool for rehabilitation? What are the advantages?

Jean-Louis Constanza: There are a couple of advantages of hands-free exoskeletons compared to traditional rehabilitation methods. Firstly, there is the varying intensity applied to gait relearning treatment. Intensity in this situation means the option to repeat a session multiple times and to amplify the movements during each session. It is important to adjust the intensity to the patient’s condition. That could be a stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI) or the development of multiple sclerosis.

Typically, patients can perform between 1,000 and 2,000 step positions with an exoskeleton, which is far more than what you can do with traditional methods. It is possible to repeat more sessions because, compared to walking with crutches, the limbs do not tire as much when using a self-stabilizing exoskeleton.

In Europe, the existing solution is used not only with physiotherapists, but also with occupational therapists and adaptive sports professionals. It broadens the options for hospitals, qualifying more people to help patients relearn how to walk.

What makes the Atalante X stand out among other exoskeletons for rehabilitation?

Constanza: Our exoskeleton "Atalante X" is designed to start the treatment as soon as possible after a stroke or a spinal cord injury. Because it is self-stabilizing, the patients can start with rehabilitation even before they can move on their own again.

Additionally, the amount of effort required from the patient during each session is customizable, meaning the therapist can adjust the amount of assistance or resistance the patient receives from the device. Therapists can set the assistance level from 100 percent assistance all the way down to negative 25 percent, which means the exoskeleton legs would be resisting the effort of the patient to move.

How does a rehabilitation session with Atalante X work?

Constanza: You can specifically work on tasks that resemble what will be required of the patient in daily life. That includes not only walking in a straight line, but also standing up, sitting down, grasping an object on the ground, or turning around.

Since the exoskeleton is easy to use, the training takes only two and a half days for therapists and the patients can walk during the first session. Even after the initial recovery process, patients still profit from using the exoskeleton during the chronic phase.

After the second FDA clearance in less than a year for the exoskeleton, what are the next steps?

Constanza: The next step that is ahead of us at Wandercraft is to accelerate the sales of our rehabilitation exoskeleton. The French healthcare authorities decided on a funding for exoskeletons to relearn how to walk, particularly for hands-free, autonomous self-balancing exoskeletons, thus speeding up the processes.

After that, we want to launch our personal exoskeleton. It has been developed based on the experience we have acquired in hospitals. The device is slimmer, more agile, faster, and designed for daily life activity in and out of the hospital. The prototype of this personal exoskeleton was revealed in New York in December 2023, and it will soon enter the FDA approval process. It will be the first and at this time only solution for people who have have lost lower limb movement to stand up and walk hands-free, and self-balancing.

How could robotics technology further improve functional recovery?

Constanza: Robotics is still evolving. So, if we learn more together with therapists and patients, we can improve the software further, up to a point where it will exactly fit the needs for accelerating functional recovery. For the patients, recovering motor functions at home while living their daily lives is key. This makes an exoskeleton not only a tool for mobility but a tool for improving patients' health.