Rehabilitation Matters

Training at Standing Start

I was very pleased to meet up with the Standing Start team last week for two days training with their new staff.  Andrea and Nadine joined us from Hasomed - the manufacturer of our RehaMove FES cycling system.   Standing Start have expanded their training team in preparation for their opening of the new London facility and Im pleased that they will continue to use RehaMove as part of their client training regime.

We have worked with Standing Start since their earliest days and it is very nice to see them moving forward at a pace.

From our side we have recently introduced the RehaMove2 system to the UK market with much improved useability and so wanted to get the Standing Start team comfortable to use it. During the training session we covered the background research, benefits, features and contraindications - and spent time with practical hands-on sessions with the team trying  FES for themselves. We also were able to have the support of a couple of spinal cord injured volunteers for the sessions.

In keeping with the earlier RehaStim 1 system, the new unit is flexible and can serve both active arm and active leg exercise. With the Sequence mode software, the stimulator can also used independently with the bike.  Inside Standing Start they have some ideas on how this feature can make "FES assist" available for a range of exercise approaches.

 

Andy's New Venture - Prime Physio

For the last few years many of our clients for our RehaMove FES Cycling system have got to know Andy Galbraith (on the right in the picture shown working with an Ekso Bionics system).  He has provided assessments and home support for many of our clients in most parts of England whilst also working hard a few days a week at Standing Start (UK's well known unit offering active rehabilitation for spinal cord injury).

Andy has just branched out on his own and formed Prime Physio, a specialist sports injury and specialist therapy centre near his home in Melbourne, Cambridgeshire.  As many of you know, Andy has contributed a great deal to the development of Standing Start in the UK, but as expansion was on the cards the time was right for Andy to strike out on his own.

At first glance Prime Physio looks like one of many other therapy offerings.  However, he does have some interesting activities to offer that are not generally found elsewhere.

Not least is the Ekso Fit programme. 

As one of the few therapists trained to work with the Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton, Andy is offering a specialised therapy programme for people wishing to get the most out of using an Ekso "skeleton".

The gains made on this programme are transferable for day to day activities.  Many early adopters of the Ekso system are finding that some developed core strength is a real asset and many of the techniques used at Standing Start and Prime Physio (intense exercise based therapy) are invaluable for getting "fit to stand."

Of course Andy will also have available our FES fitness products the RehaMove FES Cycling system and Den2x for denervated muscle electrotherapy.  Having worked with countless cases now Andy has a lot of experience to offer. 

Of course he will have our support and best wishes in developing his business.  Anyone who has met Andy couldn't fail to be impressed with his knowledge and professional attitude. 

Im pleased that he will still continue to support Anatomical Concept (UK)'s clients and I think that his presence will do much to expand the opportunities for all the rehabilitation providers in this important area.

Im sure that Standing Start will miss him - but there is lots of room for growth for everyone and lots of work still to do. Prime Physio can be contacted at

Prime Physio Ltd, 5 Beech House, Melbourn Science Park, Cambridge Road, Melbourn SG8 6EE

T: +44(0)1763 264135 and email info@primephysio.co.uk

 

Ekso Bionics Launch Event in Leeds

I was pleased to be invited to Ekso Bionics's launch today in Leeds.

Ekso Bionics are teaming up with Technology in Motion to provide potential users in the area the chance to be assessed and then hopefully to walk in the exoskeletal system under supervision.

Luckily the day was kind because the numbers attending meant the active demo needed to be outside in the car park.

I think there was an element of risk in this as the terrain was maybe not perfect for demonstration purposes. 

At this stage the Ekso system is intended for rehabilitation use and the "pilots" showcasing the device today were in fairly early stages of walking in the system.

Physiotherapists Barry (Ekso) and Andy Galbraith (Prime Physio and Anatomical Concepts(UK)) were in charge of ensuring a safe experience for the users.  Used in "training mode" stepping motion was controlled by the therapists.

Everyone realises that there is a lot to learn about the absolute clinical benefits of these systems. Yet we already realise how great an experience these systems provide for their users.  With investment these devices may yet become a realistic proposition for many persons. Its an exciting prospect.

We at Anatomical Concepts are glad to be working with Prime Physio who will be offering Ekso assessments and walking trials near Cambridge. 

Andy Galbraith has worked with many of our spinal cord injured clients in recent years and supported their use of our RehaMove FES Cycling system from Hasomed, GmbH. Although Andy has now branched out from Standing Start to go his own way, he is rapidly developing his reputation as one of the leading lights in fitness development following spinal cord injury.

We are pleased that Andy will make use of the RehaMove system within his facility to work with clients - developing their fitness and expanding their potential to enjoy the Ekso experience. 

 

Client Dan Eley Rides for Research

Our RehaMove client, Dan Eley has reached the half way point on his virtual Ride for Research.

I wrote about Dan before in this article and this one.

Dan, who is paralysed from elbow level down, has been cycling for 2 months now using a RehaMove functional electrical stimulation (FES) bike and hand cycle.  He has now covered a staggering 275 miles.  As this is a virtual challenge, we have been plotting his progress on a map and he has now cycled the equivalent distance from Guildford to the city of York.

Dan must now cover another 275 miles to reach his final destination, The Queen Elizabeth Spinal Centre in Glasgow.

Find out here how taking part in this challenge is helping Dan as well as Spinal Research.

 

The PreventDFU Project

The Prevent DFU project is an interesting effort in diabetic foot care just launched by a European consortium.  The trans-European investigators hope to introduce novel technology for prophylaxis. The technique will aim to increase blood flow in the legs whilst users sleep and this may lead to a reduction in the number of people that develop foot ulceration. As the researchers point out, they only need to reduce the incidence of ulceration in a small percentage of patients to make this approach worthwhile.  The underlying technology was developed by Norwegian company Otivio.

Diabetic foot problems represent a massive global health issue and a great deal of effort is being made to prevent or at least reduce the incidence of foot ulceration.  Once foot ulceration has occured, there is a signifcantly higher risk of repeated ulceration with a corresponding impact on rehabilitation costs and quality of life.

 

Mark Pollock stands up with Ekso

I wrote about client Mark Pollock in an earlier article.  An adventure athlete, entrepreneur and author, Mark has competed against professional explorers like Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Olympic gold medalists and special forces personnel.  And he's done so in a world of total darkness.  For the last decade, Mark Pollock has been blind.  After his last expedition to be the first blind man to walk to the South Pole he fell from a window and became spinal cord injured.

I first met Mark in Stoke Mandeville and was pleased to work with him using FES to strengthen leg muscles - first with our RehaStim unit and eventually with a full RehaMove FES cycling system.

Mark is an inspirational guy who has impressed many people with his determination to push back the barriers of what we currently believe is possible.

On Mark's blog he recently posted a video of his adventures with the Ekso Bionics exoskeleton system.

The Ekso Bionics system is evolving rapidly from an original development project in Berkeley California aimed at "soldier enhancement".  This ground breaking technology is finding application in the world of rehabilitation and one day soon may become a practical choice for many persons with a physical disability.

Knowing personally some of the people working with Ekso Bionics, I have no doubt that this system will be the one to emerge as the acknowledged leader. 

Of course the technology is only part of what will make this a success - this development and its introduction must be made with a sensitivity to the expectations of potential users. 

Those of us who have worked in this field for decades can point to times when expectations were unfortunately far ahead of what could be achieved in practice.

Open day at Physiofunction

Our partners, Physiofunction, are hosting an open day at Walnut Tree Physiotherapy Centre, The Orchard, Town St, Horsforth LS18 5BL on Saturday 18th February.  Physiofunction are neurological specialists.  We will be showing our RehaMove FES Cycling system including the new RehaStim 2 FES unit.  Click the poster below for full details.

Open publication - Free publishing - More open day

New RehaCom Price List

We published a new Price list and Order form for RehaCom software. RehaCom is Europe's leading software for cognitive rehabilitation having developed over more than 15 years in Germany.  The aim of the software is not to replace the skills of a therapist but rather to help guide and give structure to a rehabiltiation programme.  It's been slow to catch on in the UK but more and more therapists are seeing RehaCom as a valuable tool in their practice.

Open publication - Free publishing - More rehacom

Dan Eley's Ride Raises Funds for Spinal Research

Client Dan Eley broke his neck in a diving accident, whilst working in Colombia.  Dan was injured when he dived in to a deceptively shallow river in the Amazon, breaking his neck at the C4/C5 level.

I wrote before about Dan when I first met him during his stay in Stoke Mandeville at which point he became a client of our RehaMove FES Cycle.

At the point that I met him, Dan was recovering from his injuries.  Things were complicated by the fact that he was injured so far from civilisation and it took some time before he could get the benefit of essential (even adequate) health care. 

Despite the difficulties he had come through, I found Dan to be an irrepressable character - not to be detered in his ambition to make a difference in the lives of others.

Since leaving hospital Dan returned to Columbia and has shown he has lost non of his drive and ambition.

It was no suprise therefore to learn of his latest fundraising effort.

On 9th January 2012, Dan began his challenge to cycle 550 miles using his RehaMove FES bike, which uses electric stimulation to contract the major muscles groups in the legs, the quads, the hamstrings and the gluteus muscles - and stimulates these muscles in a sequence that creates a cycling motion.

Check out the link here at Spinal Research as he strives to raise £10,000 for Spinal Research

http://www.spinal-research.org/get-involved/events/dan-eleys-ride-for-research-2012/

RehaStim 2 unit enhances RehaMove FES Bike

I know I'm biased but the RehaMove FES Bike is the best value solution out there.  I have complained to the manufacturers about the looks (a bit retro 70's) but the performance has been as good as any other system.

Anyway, we at Anatomical Concepts are looking forward to the new RehaStim 2 unit which we hope to be able to supply from this month.  Colour graphics, improved useability through a large display and real-time performance monitoring are really nice further improvements to the benefits of RehaStim 1.  The tried and trusted Rehastim 1 will continue to be available.

With the RehaStim 2 - Via a rotary knob, the existing eight stimulation channels are assigned and defined with corresponding parameters. On the large color display the user can navigate easily.

Color-coded channels for each muscle make it even easier and faster to applicate the electrodes. In the extended memory, over 100 patients combined with their training settings can be stored and the respective course of therapy can be saved.

FDA Clearance has ben gained for the USA market