C Shivakumar @ Chennai:
There is hope for paraplegics and bed ridden patients, who have suffered injuries to spinal cord, as they can now dream of walking again with the innovation of robotic wearable legs by a Chennai based innovator.
STM Veerabahu, who has earlier been honoured as one of the top 20 technology innovators of India under the age group of 35 by US-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s magazine Technology Review,
says that the device has cleared clinical trials and a certificate has
been issued by Clinical Trial Registry for using the device for
treatment of people.
The
innovator, who was in need of funds to realise his dream, has now
signed up a memorandum of Understanding with Sree Balaji Medical College
and Hospital where in he will help in setting up a state of the art
Rehabilitation Centre for paraplegics and bed-ridden patients.
The
dean of Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital D R Gunasekaran said
that the technology would be a boon for paraplegics and those with
neuron disorders as well as spinal cord injuries. “They can move again.
The newly proposed rehabilitation centre will also help the
under-privileged get treatment here,” he said.
The
commercial launch of his technology is likely to take place this week
and once launched, it will provide hope to accident victims as well as
soldiers who lost both their legs during security operations across the
border.
Veerabahu,
who has launched his own start-up Cybernoid Healthcare Private Limited,
said that a total of 13 clinical trials were carried out. During the
trials, seven patients dropped out while six finished the exercise.
Talking
about the success of technology, Veerabahu said that the pleasure of
standing again and walking has brought in tears among those who were
bed-ridden and could not move their feet.
Interestingly,
such devices has been imported from United States and Israel. “Ours is
the first Make in India device. I have a small outfit where we can
manufacture eight to 10 devices,” he says, while seeking government aid
for mass production of such devices.
The
device is a four-strap attachment to the body. Once it is fixed to the
body, it carries the individual. It also has a rechargeable battery, which can operate for an hour. It also has a joy stick which the patient himself has to operate to control his movement. The device is designed to hold a weight of 85 kg.
Interestingly,
the device could also be of immense help to our soldiers, who have lost
limbs or have been paralysed below their hips to walk again, says
Veerabahu.
Internationally,
the device supplied by Israel and united States would cost Rs 72 to Rs
92 lakh. Our product will cost one-seventh of it, he says.
Interestingly,
a similar innovation is going on in Berkley University in United States
and also by Defence Research Development Organisation for defence
purpose. “The idea is to create super soldier who can carry enormous
equipment,” said Veerabahu.
How the device works:
--- The wearable robotic leg is like a exo-skeleton.
--- The device is strapped along the body.
-- Once it is fixed to the body, it carries the individual.
--- It also has a rechargeable battery, which can operate for an hour.
--- It also has a joy stick, which the patient himself has to operate to control his movement.
--- The device is designed to hold a weight of 85 kg.
--- The market price of such device, which is usually imported from abroad, is Rs 72 to rs 92 lakh.
--- In India, it can be produced at one seventh of a cost
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