ABLE REGAIN: robotic exoskeleton for intensive neurorehabilitation aimed at stroke patients

Alfons Carnicero

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Barcelona), Spain

Every year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke (1 in 6 people will have a stroke in their lifetime). Stroke is the leading cause of movement disability in the US and Europe.

Robotic exoskeletons may enhance post-stroke gait rehabilitation. However, current exoskeletons are expensive (€40,000 - €150,000), bulky (5kg – 23kg) and require clinical supervision. Hence, they are only found in large clinical institutions and patients cannot benefit from their use once they are discharged.

ABLE REGAIN will be an ultra-light, easy-to-use and affordable solution to rehabilitate gait after stroke in a continuum of care process, from the hospital to home. The technology aims to enhance motor function recovery, with early mobilization and progressive, repetitive and intensive gait training, while promoting patient’s reintegration into the community and improving their quality of life.