“My mom just reminded me of something. When I was injured 5 years ago the doctor told me I’d never walk again. Now patients with a new spinal cord injury are going to be told, “We are going to teach you how to walk differently.” I’d take different over never any day.” Matthew Tilford, Ekso Ambassador
With sincere appreciation to everyone at Ekso Bionics for the love and compassion you have shown us and for all the help we have received. We live in thanksgiving daily.
There are no words more powerful than a simple THANK YOU for helping us walk again.
From the US Ambassador Team – Paul, Amanda, Matt, Tamara, Chris, Sarah & Jason
It happened in a busy therapy gym in mid-October. There wasn´t much fanfare, but it was a significant milestone. Most people around were likely clueless that it even happened. The first Ekso surpassed 100,000 total steps in a rehabilitation program.
The Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown, PA is one of our Charter members and the therapists there have been actively integrating Ekso into their daily routine. Read More +
We were featured in a thought-provoking cover story in INC’s November 2012 issue that maintains that Ekso Bionics is one of “5 Big Ideas for the Next 15 Years” that have passed its Audacity Test. Read More +
It was as much a privilege as a technological leap forward to create Ekso, the bionic suit which powers up people with spinal cord injuries or pathologies and gets them walking again. The 2012 World Technology Award we won on Thursday in the Health and Medicine (Corporate) category has reminded us that we are playing a part in changing life as we know it. This year’s Awards theme hit the nail on the head: “Nothing will ever be the same again.” Read More +
As of this writing, our Ekso™ bionic suit is available at 20 respected rehabilitation centers in the United States and Europe. This means that hundreds of people with spinal cord injuries have the opportunity to stand up and walk in Ekso.
That’s quick work for a product that just began shipping in February of this year, and we intend to expand this Ekso™ Center network across the globe in the coming months. You can locate a center near you and follow our progress here.
Over 300 people have stood and walked in Ekso already, taking over 400,000 steps in total.
Plus New Ways to Understand and Share Your Progress
RICHMOND, California, August 9, 2012 – Ekso Bionics today announced that it has begun shipping an upgraded version of Ekso™, the bionic suit that powers patients with spinal cord injuries and pathologies up to get them standing up and walking again. Each Ekso now comes equipped with three new walking modes for progressive rehabilitation options, in addition to EksoPulse™, a wireless networked usage monitor. Patients will have new challenges as they master each level and more control of the suit as they become more adept. Also, Ekso now provides both the patient and the physical therapist with better insights into that patient’s headway.
Ekso is a ready-to-wear, battery-powered bionic suit – or exoskeleton – that is strapped over the user’s clothing. The device transfers its 45 lb. load directly to the ground, so the patient doesn’t bear the weight. Each Ekso can be adjusted in a few minutes to fit most people weighing 220 pounds or less, and between 5’2” and 6’2”, with at least partial upper body strength. The patient provides the balance and proper body positioning, and Ekso facilitates walking over ground with reciprocal gait.
“With this upgrade, clinicians using Ekso can now empower their patients even more by teaching them to control the suit autonomously, thereby giving them greater independence,” said Eythor Bender, Ekso Bionics’ CEO.
“As the patient gains confidence and familiarity with walking, Ekso now permits them to graduate to a next level, and then another,” explained Darrell Musick, clinical director at Ekso Bionics. “This comfortable experience-based progression allows for sequentially- increased freedom and better control. The patients love it.”
All of this talk about robotics and walking got me to thinking about what else we do with our legs. When you take a minute to think about it, as it turns out, it’s a lot.
How extra cool would Ekso be if it could be programmed to do all this other stuff I can’t do with my legs as long as they happen to be out of contact with my brain? Such as… Read More +
Not at the moment, at least. Someday I might be able to. It’s an open question. My ability to walk with the Ekso might prove impossible, but even if it’s possible, it’s going to take a grueling process for me to get there.
There are two issues. The first is bone density. Read More +
First impressions are indeed powerful. They stick.
A visible disability makes a first impression about as sticky as they come.
This is what I’ve found when people encounter me as a wheelchair user. People freeze at elevator doors when they open to reveal my presence, for instance. There is no question that disability makes a strong impression. Even if I don’t see an outward sign, there is certainly an impact in someone’s mind (proportional to the degree of impairment, I’m sure).
The impression is that much stronger if you get the story along with it. Hearing that I was paralyzed for life at the age of 18, that I endured a broken back and 13 weeks of hospitalization, evokes a lot of emotion in people, with responses of shock or sympathy. Sometimes the reaction is as blatant as “I’m so sorry you’re in a wheelchair.” Read More +
Ekso Bionics' CEO Eythor Bender receives UBM Electronics ACE Award from IEEE Spectrum Senior Editor, Tekla S. Perry
Last night, we were invited to attend the UBM Electronics ACE Awards Ceremony in San Jose, California as an award recipient. UBM Electronics is the global leader in media and marketing solutions for the electronics industry. The EE Times ACE (Annual Creativity in Electronics) Awards combined with EDN’s Innovation Awards, is a new award program, which recognizes and honors the people and companies behind the innovative technologies and new products that are changing the world of electronics globally. On behalf of Ekso Bionics, it was a great honor to receive The IEEE Spectrum Technology in the Service of Society ACE Award. Read More +
