Dutch engineers make 'robot legs' for stroke patients (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Neil Bowdler
Health reporter, BBC News

Scientists in the Netherlands are using robotic legs to try to improve the movement of stroke patients.

The prototype device is called the Lower-extremity Powered ExoSkeleton, or LOPES, and works by training the body and mind of a patient to recover a more natural step.

The machine is also being tested on spinal injury patients who have recovered some restricted movement in their legs.

It is hoped a commercial version could be made available to rehabilitation centres around the world as early as next year.

Feedback mechanism

LOPES has been developed by engineers at the University of Twente in Enschede in the Netherlands over several years. Designed for the rehabilitation clinic, it is not a mobile device but supports the patient as they walk on a treadmill.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-14823404




Article also mentions a couple of alternatives in development, and gives links at the bottom of the page to three companies/organizations involved.

[MADem]

1. This is great--something like it already exists in "treadmill" form

and is being used in rehab hospitals all over the world.

It's called a LOKOMAT, and it has the same goal, only what it does is retrain the gait pattern on a treadmill. See here: http://www.hocoma.com/en/products/lokomat/