News & Events
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston Announces Plans for ReWalk Exoskeleton Training for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Boston, MA — December 5, 2014 — Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Boston, one of the leading rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, announced the development of an exoskeleton
training program utilizing the ReWalk Robotics exoskeleton systems. The Select Spaulding Clinical Team has completed basic training on the ReWalk system, and is actively pursuing advanced certification. Spaulding targets early 2015 to enroll qualifying patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a training program.
“At Spaulding we are always pushing to merge the most innovative technologies with the care we provide. Incorporating the ReWalk device into our clinical pathways is an exciting initiative that we hope can greatly benefit the communities we serve,” said Robert McCall, Vice President Inpatient Rehabilitation, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.
ReWalk is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with SCI to stand upright and walk. The system provides user-initiated mobility through the integration of a wearable brace support, a computer-based control system and motion sensors. The system allows independent, controlled walking while mimicking the natural gait patterns of the legs.
ReWalk Robotics, a global leader in exoskeleton technology, offers the only FDA cleared exoskeleton systems in the United States. ReWalk manufactures two systems, the Rehabilitation model which will be utilized by Spaulding, as well as a Personal system which can be purchased for home use and throughout the community. Clinical studies of the ReWalk system have shown potential health benefits for the user in addition to the ability to stand and walk again including: reduction of needed medication, increase in lean muscle mass and decreased muscle spasticity, decreased body fat, decreased pain and improved pain management, and improved bowel and bladder function.
“Spaulding is home to one of the nation’s leading spinal cord injury centers, with a second to none reputation,” said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski. “ReWalk is proud to work with Spaulding to be a part of its cutting-edge services for SCI patients. We applaud Spaulding’s innovative approach to treatment, and look forward to bringing this technology to as many people as possible,” he added.
About Spaulding Rehabilitation Network
A member of Partners HealthCare, The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network includes Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Charlestown, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Cape Cod, two long term care facilities Spaulding Hospital Cambridge and Spaulding Hospital North Shore in Salem and two skilled nursing facilities, as well as twenty three outpatient sites throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Spaulding strives to continually update and improve its programs to offer patients the latest, high-quality care through its leading, expert providers. Spaulding has been awarded a Model Systems designation in three specialty areas- Brain Injury, Burn Injury Rehabilitation, and Spinal Cord Injury – by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research. Spaulding is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Spaulding is the only rehabilitation hospital in New England continually ranked since 1995 by U.S. News and World Report in its Best Hospitals survey with a #6 ranking in 2014-2015. For more information, please visit www.spauldingrehab.org.
About ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
ReWalk Robotics (formerly Argo Medical Technologies) develops, manufactures and markets wearable robotic exoskeletons for people with lower limb disabilities, such as paraplegia. ReWalk’s mission is to fundamentally change the health and life experiences of individuals with spinal cord injury. ReWalk is proud to offer the only FDA cleared exoskeleton systems in the United States, for rehab and personal use respectively. Founded in 2001, ReWalk Robotics is a global company with headquarters in the US, Germany, and Israel. For more information on ReWalk Robotics and the ReWalk Systems, please visit www.rewalk.com.
