AlterG, a US-based medical device company, has launched its AlterG Bionic Leg, a wearable, battery-powered, robotic mobility assistance device activated by a patient's intent to move.
Designed for patients with impaired mobility, the Bionic Leg actively assists therapists with the rehabilitation of individuals who suffer from lower extremity dysfunction that impairs function, mobility and gait.
Primary candidates for Bionic Leg include individuals disabled by stroke, and degenerative neurological gait impairment including Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS).
Additionally, the Bionic Leg can also play a significant role in rehabilitation therapy for orthopedic injury.
AlterG CEO Steve Basta noted the company is building a world-class portfolio of the most innovative and important rehabilitation tools available to the medical and fitness markets.
"The addition of the Bionic Leg continues our efforts to help people rehab quickly, safely and effectively," Basta added.
The Bionic Leg was developed by Dr. Robert Horst of Tibion, which was later acquired by AlterG.
The acquisition by AlterG is expected to provide additional resources in manufacturing, sales and engineering to ramp up production and availability of Bionic Leg therapy.
AlterG CTO of robotics and the inventor of the Bionic Leg Dr Robert Horst said, "I am excited by the new opportunities that will result from the recent acquisition of Tibion by AlterG."
The AlterG Bionic Leg is currently available in over 100 hospitals, physical therapy facilities and skilled nursing facilities worldwide.
The AlterG Bionic Leg also received the 9th annual Invention and Entrepreneurship Award in Robotics and Automation (IERA) during the 2013 International Conference on Robotics and Automation in Karlsruhe, Germany.
The Bionic Leg was debuted at the APTA Conference & Exposition in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 26, 2013.