BY JESSICA ROUSE
The Australian Institute of Neuro-rehabilitation have launched
Australia’s first self-supporting rehabilitation exoskeleton Helen, thanks to a
$99,000 grant contribution from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
The Hunter’s Exoskeleton for Lower Limb Exercise and
Neuro-rehabilitation (HELEN) was launched at the University of Newcastle on
Wednesday, and will give 20 Hunter residents who have suffered a stroke or
brain injury the opportunity to participate in the 12 month trial.
Helen was initially developed by New Zealand company Rex
Bionics as a paraplegic remedial neuro exercise and treatment facility and this
is the first time the device has been purchased by an Australian organisation.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chairman, Michael
Slater says people who have lost mobility in their lower limbs will benefit greatly
from Helen, being able to walk and do other exercises to help in their
rehabilitation.
“People that have lost some mobility in their lower limbs
can be fitted to this machine and through a control panel, they can actually
physically walk, exercise, things like lunges, sideways exercise movements,
stimulate the lower limbs and the muscles and the nerves.”
At Helen’s launch on Wednesday, Melbourne man Louis Rowe demonstrated
the exoskeleton. Rowe became a paraplegic in a scooter accident in 2007 and by
using Helen, it is hoped he will be able to develop muscles in his legs, core and
upper body for the first time.
Mr Slater says Helen is an exciting initiative for the
Hunter region.
“I’m very pleased to see advances in technology having a practical
application in medical remediation, we see it every day and I think that it’s a
great boost to the ongoing continuing development of technology and application
to treatment”.
