A company has developed a Velcro sleeve that’s used for patients that experience difficulty getting around because of nervous system conditions. It works by fastening it around the leg, which has electrodes on it that help stimulate their muscles.
The sleeve was designed to use artificial intelligence to detect the patient’s walking gait, after which is sends the information to the electrodes to make sure that each leg is moving in sync as much as possible.
Moreover, this device will also be ready for delivery by 2023 for those with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or those that have experienced a stroke. The testing and approval has already been completed.
The device, which is called Neural Sleeve, was developed by a company that makes bionic wearables named Cionic.
The brains behind the design studio Fuseproject, Yves Béhar, that worked side-by-side with Cionic to make this technology scalable and usable for patients shared, “Think of it as a way to sort of remote control your own leg.”
Béhar explained to the publication Dezeen, “What the algorithms do and what the electrodes do is they deliver that right sequence. And when the brain has relearned and re-acquired the knowledge of how to fire those muscles, the sleeve is not needed anymore,”
The fabric, which is lightweight, is fastened around the leg with Velcro. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns, so that those using it won’t look at it like it’s a medical device but rather, a knee-brace or similar non-tech wearable.
Moreover, there’s an app that can be used on the phone which can change the mode quickly, making the electrodes fire to suit different actions, like cycling or sitting down.
In the beginning stages during the testing of the Neural Sleeve, Cionic began with 50 prototypes whose initial target was a condition known as foot drop. This was where patients couldn’t life the front half of their foot. At least 94% of these trials noticed greater mobility in and around their feet.
Cionic claims, “Not only has reported mobility improved for many of these users, the number of users experiencing moderate to severe pain was reduced by 60% and the number of users experiencing moderate to severe anxiety or depression was reduced by 75%.”
Trial patient, Jim Vecchi, said, “Wearing the Neural Sleeve, I move in a way that is more flowing and natural. I am walking more quickly and smoothly, while using less energy in doing so. Already I feel that I am getting stronger and more enduring.”
“I should also mention that the Neural Sleeve is surprisingly comfortable and my body has become accustomed to wearing it surprisingly quickly. I do not have the words to properly explain the positive effects on my confidence and outlook,” he added.
Apparently, Jeremiah Richardson, who happens to be the founder of Cionic, originally looked into the idea after his own daughter was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Once he realized that he could help her, he also realized he could help out millions of other Americans.
See more on the iconic sleeve here:
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