MARLBOROUGH, Mass.
and YOKNEAM ILIT, Israel,
Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- A new study published in the Journal of Science
Translational Medicine finds that use of a soft suit exoskeleton
system facilitates normal walking ability for ambulatory patients
following a stroke. The paper, which is authored by researchers at
Harvard University's Wyss Institute for
Biologically Inspired Engineering and Boston
University, is a seminal study, providing key findings that
will propel additional research of how to improve mobility for
patients following a stroke.
The prototype utilized in the study is a soft suit exoskeleton
created by the Wyss Institute that is now moving towards
commercialization by ReWalk Robotics Ltd. (Nasdaq: RWLK)
("ReWalk"). The study included 9 participants, and examined
the immediate improvements in walking capability that could be
obtained when wearing the Restore system. The study highlighted the
potential for the technology to provide gait assistance and
training during walking and concludes:
These improvements in paretic limb function contributed to a
20 +/- 4% reduction in forward propulsion interlimb asymmetry and a
10 +/- 3% reduction in the energy cost of walking, which is
equivalent to a 32+/- 9% reduction in the metabolic burden
associated with poststroke walking. Relatively low assistance
(~12% of biological torques) delivered with a lightweight and
nonrestrictive exosuit was sufficient to facilitate more normal
walking in ambulatory individuals after stroke.
"This foundational study shows that soft wearable
robots can have significant positive impact on gait functions in
patients post-stroke, and it is the result of a
translational-focused multidisciplinary team of engineers,
designers, biomechanists, physical therapists and most importantly
patients who volunteered for this study and gave valuable feedback
that guided our research," said Wyss Core Faculty member
Conor Walsh who is also the John L.
Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at
SEAS and the Founder of the Harvard Biodesign Lab.
ReWalk is working with the Wyss Institute on the development of
lightweight designs to complete clinical studies, pursue regulatory
approvals and commercialize the systems on a global scale. The
first commercial application will be for stroke survivors, followed
by Multiple Sclerosis patients and then additional
applications. There are an estimated 3 million stroke
survivors with lower limb disability in the U.S.
"Exoskeletons are now a commercially available, disruptive
technology that have changed the lives of many individuals in the
paraplegic community," said ReWalk CEO Larry Jasinski. "The ongoing research at the
Wyss Institute on soft exosuits adds a new dimension to
exoskeletons that can potentially meet the needs of individuals
that have had a stroke, as well as for those diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease or people who have
limitations in walking. The Restore is a unique lightweight design
that can assist and constantly adjust in real time to the user's
needs on every step they take. The depth of this fundamental
science is a meaningful element in applying research to the
everyday needs of this patient community."
The Restore transmits power to key joints of the legs with cable
technologies, powered with software and mechanics that are similar
to the technologies used in the ReWalk exoskeleton system for
individuals with spinal cord injury. The cables are connected to
fabric-based designs that attach to the legs and foot, thus lending
the name "soft suit."
The full article in the Journal of Science Translational
Medicine can be downloaded here.
About ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. develops, manufactures and markets wearable
robotic exoskeletons for individuals with spinal cord injury. Our
mission is to fundamentally change the quality of life for
individuals with lower limb disability through the creation and
development of market leading robotic technologies. Founded in
2001, ReWalk has headquarters in the U.S., Israel and Germany. For more information on the ReWalk
systems, please visit www.rewalk.com.
ReWalk® is a registered trademark of ReWalk Robotics Ltd. in
Israel.
Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may include
projections regarding ReWalk's future performance and, in some
cases, may be identified by words like "anticipate," "assume,"
"believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend,"
"may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future," "will,"
"should," "would," "seek" and similar terms or phrases. The
forward-looking statements contained in this press release are
based on management's current expectations, which are subject to
uncertainty, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult
to predict and many of which are outside of ReWalk's control.
Important factors that could cause ReWalk's actual results to
differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking
statements include, among others: ReWalk's expectations regarding
future growth, including its ability to increase sales in its
existing geographic markets, expand to new markets and achieve its
planned expense reductions; the conclusion of ReWalk's management
for the financial statements for fiscal 2016 and the first quarter
of 2017, and the opinion of ReWalk's auditors in their report on
the Company's financial statements for fiscal 2016, that there are
substantial doubts as to ReWalk's ability to continue as a going
concern; ReWalk's ability to maintain and grow its reputation and
the market acceptance of its products; ReWalk's ability to achieve
reimbursement from third-party payors for its products; ReWalk's
expectations as to its clinical research program and clinical
results; ReWalk's expectations as to the results of, and the Food
and Drug Administration's potential regulatory developments with
respect to, ReWalk's mandatory post-market 522 surveillance study;
the outcome of ongoing shareholder class action litigation relating
to ReWalk's initial public offering; ReWalk's ability to repay its
secured indebtedness; ReWalk's ability to improve its products and
develop new products; ReWalk's ability to maintain adequate
protection of its intellectual property and to avoid violation of
the intellectual property rights of others; ReWalk's ability to
gain and maintain regulatory approvals; ReWalk's ability to secure
capital from its equity and debt financings in light of limitations
under its Form S-3, the price range of its ordinary shares and
conditions in the financial markets, and that the risk that such
financings may dilute our shareholders or restrict our business;
ReWalk's ability to use effectively the proceeds of its 2016
follow-on offering; ReWalk's ability to maintain relationships with
existing customers and develop relationships with new customers;
the impact of the market price of our ordinary shares on the
determination of whether we are a passive foreign investment
company; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk
Factors" in ReWalk's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2016, as amended, filed
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and other
documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement
made in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof.
Factors or events that could cause ReWalk's actual results to
differ from the statements contained herein may emerge from time to
time, and it is not possible for ReWalk to predict all of them.
Except as required by law, ReWalk undertakes no obligation to
publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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SOURCE ReWalk Robotics