Spanish Scientists Debut an Exoskeleton Specifically Made for Children With Spinal Muscular Atrophy

On June 8, 2016, Scientists at El Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid, Spain presented a new child-sized aluminum and titanium exoskeleton that was made in partnership with Marsi Bionics. The exoskeleton was specifically created to assist children with spinal-muscular atrophy to regain their ability to walk.

El Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) introduced the world’s first infant exoskeleton which is designed to help children with spinal muscular atrophy, a degenerative illness which affects one in ten thousand babies in Spain. Weighing 12 kilos, the apparatus is made of aluminium and titanium, and is designed to help patients walk- in some cases for the first time. Furthermore, it will also be used in physiotherapy in hospitals to prevent the secondary effects associated with the loss of mobility in this illness. The technology, which has been patented and licensed jointly by CSIC (the Spanish National Research Council) and its technology-based business unit, Marsi Bionics, is currently in the preclinical phase.

image via CSIC

via Gizmag