By Eythor Bender, Ekso Bionics’ CEO
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
By Eythor Bender, Ekso Bionics’ CEO
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
By Eythor Bender, Ekso Bionics™ CEO
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.
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.”
Ekso’s Three New Walking Modes:
Investigational Studies Completed: All Paraplegic Patients Walked During First Session
BERKELEY, California, February 15, 2012 — Ekso Bionics today announced that the first commercial unit of its Ekso exoskeleton was delivered yesterday, on February 14, to Craig Hospital in Denver. Ekso is a wearable robot that powers paraplegics up, enabling them to stand and walk. In addition – working together with top rehabilitation centers in the U.S. – Ekso Bionics just completed a ten-month Investigational Study of Ekso that entailed reciprocal information sharing and learning, training, as well as the definition of clinical protocols. Delivery of Eksos – beginning with Ekso Bionics´ Charter Rehabilitation Centers – will take place over the course of the next three months. Read More
