Myomo gets US nod for "smart" paralysis brace:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The US FDA has approved a noninvasive, wearable, "smart" elbow brace that can help patients whose arms have become paralysed following a stroke relearn how to move their upper limbs. The Myomo e100 NeuroRobotic system, made by Boston, Massachusetts-based firm Myomo, enables patients to self-initiate and control movement of affected limbs using their own biological signals. No electrical stimulation or surgery is required. When a patient's electrical muscle activity signal fires in response to attempted movement, the device senses the signal from the skin's surface. It then employs advanced robotics to "reward" the patient with feedback in the form of actual motion. The theory is that by facilitating the patient's ability to practise tasks repeatedly, new connections are formed in the brain and existing connections are reinforced, resulting in improved ability to move the arm.