Team 33
MedRe, Inc.: Multipurpose Chair to Augment the use of Ekso Bionics GT
MedRe, Inc.: Multipurpose Chair to Augment the use of Ekso Bionics GT
Team Members: Theophilus Annan, Gilgal Ansah, Belinda Okomeng, Patience Yeboah - SBHSE
Team Mentors: Dr. James Abbas - SBHSE
Trent Maruyama - Barrow Neurological Institute
Nate West - Barrow Neurological Institute
Luis Escalante - Barrow Neurological Institute
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/96448391479
Abstract
To treat the 18,000 spinal cord injury cases per year, the Ekso Bionics GT exoskeleton has been designed to assist people with lower-limb paralysis through gait therapy. The exoskeleton market, a beneficial innovation, has reached $100 million in annual revenue since its inception. To operate, the exoskeletons require a surface for patients to move unencumbered from sit (where the patient wears the exoskeleton) to stand during therapy and a transport/storage means after therapy. These two activities have required clinicians to work with a wheelless and a wheeled chair for the two activities, respectively. However, there are several chair-exoskeleton incompatibility issues which usually result in damage to the seating of these chairs. MedRe, Inc. has designed an innovative multipurpose chair that performs the two activities specifically to be used by the exoskeleton. The versatile chair is a mechanically operated device that can assume different phases (sit or wheel) in view of the function being performed. As an add-on, the chair can hold the exoskeleton upright for display and can also be folded to be transported along with the exoskeleton between clinics. This multipurpose chair is designed with consideration for therapists of different physical strengths and robustly designed to operate under many environmental conditions. The chair is expected to sell initially to rehab centers that use Ekso Bionics GT at a starting price of $3000 per chair. This market seeks to expand to other industries such as the military and construction workers that use exoskeletons. MedRe, Inc. aims to help physical therapists perform their duties with ease while offering patients the most comfort and an accelerated recovery.
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