Able Place Physical Therapy is planning to host a media availability event on 28 October in order to increase the awareness of the latest available technology in stroke treatment as part of the World Stroke Day celebrations. During this event they are planning to demonstrate the abilities of the movement assisting robot arm from, Myomo which will be demostrated by physical therapists at Able on the patients.
Myomo Movement assisting robot
During the demonstrations with Myomo robotic movement assisting arm, the user will be provided with live feedback so that movement techniques can be improved for maximum benefit of the patient. Rose Ann Weinstein, a physical therapist at Able Place, found the ability of Myomo to sense the intention of the patient and adjust itself accordingly, which is probably one of the most impressive offered by the robot. Myomo System is especially beneficial for stroke patients who have their muscles rendered weak and are not capable of moving their arms voluntarily.
The technology used for developing the system was originally developed at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with medical experts at the Harvard Medical School. The controlling mechanism of the system is provided by patented electromyography (EMG) software which senses and monitors movement of the patient. The movement is initiated by the patient himself and generates EMG muscle signals that are sensed by the system. An important aspect of EMG-activated systems is that the patient needs to be constantly on the move, if he stops, the device also stops functioning. The Myomo system has been approved by the FDA for home and clinical use. The Myomo system encourages the patient to try harder by translating even the slightest EMG movement into action. The system pushes the patient to perform repetitive movements by providing motorized assistance.