Ekso is a bionic suit, or exoskeleton, which enables individuals with lower extremity paralysis to stand up and walk over ground with a weight bearing, four point reciprocal gait. Walking is achieved by the user’s forward lateral weight shift to initiate a step. Battery-powered motors drive the legs and replace neuromuscular function.
The first generation of Ekso is intended for medically supervised use by individuals with complete or incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) or disease, and other forms of lower extremity paralysis or weakness due to Multiple Sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parksinson’s Guillain Barre or other neurological disease. With medical clearance, the suit can typically facilitate walking for individuals with up to C7 complete, or any level of incomplete spinal cord injury.
The current Ekso device provides functional based rehabilitation, gait training, and upright, weight bearing exercise under the supervision of a medical professional in a clinic or rehabilitation facility. The Ekso suit is strapped over the user's clothing so they can get up in a matter of minutes. Virtually everyone medically cleared for use of Ekso has walked in their first session with a therapist.
Walk Modes
FirstStep: A physical therapist actuates steps with a button push. The user progresses from sit to stand and using a walker to walking with crutches, often in their first session.
ActiveStep: User take control of actuating their steps via buttons on the crutches or walker.
ProStep: The user achieves the next step by moving their hips forward and shifting them laterally. The Ekso device recognizes that the user is in the correct position and steps.
