An advanced wearable robotic exoskeleton for assisting people with lower limb disabilities

Human locomotion is influenced by many factors, including neuromuscular and joint disorders that affect the functionality of joints and can cause partial or complete paralysis. Reduced mobility is estimated to affect over 1.5 million people in the United States alone. Many individuals require mobility assistive technologies to keep up with their daily life, and the demand for these devices increases with age.

 

A wearable robotic exoskeleton is an external structural mechanism with joints and links corresponding to those of a human body. It is synchronized with the motion of a human body to enhance or support natural body movements. The exoskeleton transmits torques through links to the human joints and augments human strength.

 

Dr. Arzanpour has developed a novel wearable robotic exoskeleton for assisting people with lower limb disabilities, such as spinal cord injury patients. The robot is highly versatile and capable of guiding the lower limb joints to perform all normal and complex movements. The technology is light, modular, portable, programmable and relatively inexpensive, and is particularly innovative in its versatile hip, knee and ankle joint mechanism, such that the normal range of motion of the natural joints is preserved.
Human in Motion has recently completed XoMotion-R, the world’s most advanced rehabilitation exoskeleton.  XoMotion-R has received its first regulatory approval, clearing the way for it to be marketed and sold in Canada. Set to revolutionize ambulatory training in rehabilitation facilities, XoMotion-R is designed to aid patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI), stroke, and other neurological conditions by providing unparalleled support with its self-balancing and hands-free functionality.

 

End of Award Update – October 2024

 

Results

This project was focused on R&D development and testing of our next-generation exoskeleton system. We initially went through several rounds of prototyping and improving the robot. The prototypes were internally tested, and improvements were made from the feedback we received. As a result, we completed the product design and are currently assembling the units to conduct our clinical studies for FDA approval. We also went through multiple rounds of financing from private investors. In August, we received our Health Canada approval, which is our first regulatory approval. This will allow us to start our sales in Canada and we are very excited about that.

 

Impact

 

Motion disability drastically reduces the quality of life for millions of people who are affected and their families. Currently, 17 million people in the US have serious difficulty walking less than a quarter mile a day. That includes 3.3 million who are unable to stand up and walk. The impact of comorbidity complications of motion disability, such as obesity, low employment rate, mental health, and secondary health complications, have an even greater impact on people’s lives and society. Every hour, 320 new cases of Traumatic brain injury, 90 new cases of stroke, and 2 cases of spinal cord injury happen in the US alone. Some of them with severe injuries lose their walking ability forever and must rely on a wheelchair for all their mobility needs. Others with milder injuries can regain their mobility through outcome-based rigorous rehabilitation therapy.

 

Human in Motion Robotics Inc. (HMR) has designed the next generation of exoskeleton systems (a wearable robotic suit) to (i) enable completely paralyzed individuals to walk freely, naturally and independently, and (ii) maximize the outcome of physical therapy and revolutionize the standard of care in rehabilitation. The currently available exoskeletons in the market can only walk forward. Users must balance their weight and the robot’s weight using arm crutches. They must be accompanied by others to assist them with balancing and all other motions that the robot can not support. Therefore, these robots can neither meet the mobility needs of fully disabled individuals nor the comprehensive, safe, and objective needs of rehabilitation. HMR exoskeleton has filled the functionality gap of the existing robots and addressed the needs of both groups.

 

Potential Influence

Our revolutionary exoskeleton articulates all the motions that are needed for complex maneuvers such as forward, backward, and sideways walking (multiple speeds), turning, change of direction, steps, slopes, and crouching. With this unique capability, our intelligent motion generation algorithm can create stable human-like gaits without the need for arm crutches and human attendants. This ground-breaking technology has integrated hardware design excellence with intelligent software algorithm innovation to create a versatile wearable robotic masterpiece with applications above and beyond physical rehabilitation and mobility. Our vision is to offer this disruptive wearable robotic solutions to empower all humans to tackle challenges beyond their physical capabilities.

 

Next Steps

We are currently focused on conducting clinical studies to get FDA clearance for several indications, including spinal cord injury and stroke. The FDA clinical studies are mainly focused on device functionality and safety. Further clinical studies are needed to demonstrate efficacy and establish best practice protocols based on long-term therapy outcomes. We are currently meeting with potential national and international partners interested in collaborating with us to conduct studies in their centers.