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Our neighbors located up the street from our Cleveland, OH location, at the Cleveland Clinic, have recently helped develop horse power into a whole new meaning. A Cleveland Clinic researcher found that one reason horses are more efficient at walking and running than humans, is because of the extremely long tendons in their legs. The Cleveland Clinic researcher then took the horse’s anatomy and applied it to help develop an orthosis device, fittingly called Kickstart, which helps patients with impaired walking. The technology behind Kickstart was licensed to Cadence Biomedical and hit the market in September.
A truly unique thing about this product is that it is an unpowered device; the only power utilized is based on natural horse power, which involves a long spring (the equivalent to a horse’s long tendon) and the patient’s own energy. But, how does it work?
There are four major components to this device:
- Hip Belt
- Upright Supports
- Custom Molded Insole
- Kinetic Assist Component
At the beginning of each step, the patient’s own energy is stored in the kinetic assist component via spring tension. The energy is then released and helps lift and propel the leg forward. This spring-action literally mimics the functioning of tendons.
Another unique aspect about this device is its realistic cost. At around $7,800, the cost of this device is realistic, unlike its $100,000 robotic exoskeleton competitors. With a realistic price, that means more people could potentially own the device, and ultimately benefit from using such a device. The affordable price range may even mean that the Veteran’s Administration would provide KickStart to its patients in the near future, which could positively impact the lives of returning veterans or older veterans with degenerative diseases.
Do you have comments or questions? Please, leave your feedback.
-RSpelich ^_^
Sources:
http://www.gizmag.com/kickstart-kinetic-walk-assist/24255/
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