Ottobock
Ottobock: a new lease of life with an app-controlled leg orthosis
15.03.2023
Denise was 29 years old when she underwent disc surgery – a seemingly harmless procedure. However, the surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned and when she woke up from anaesthesia, she could no longer feel her right thigh. The diagnosis: incomplete paraplegia. The world's first smart leg orthosis, the C-Brace® has given the mother of two new mobility and improved her quality of life.
ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
ReWalk Exoskeleton receives FDA clearance for stairs and curbs
13.03.2023
ReWalk, a leading provider of innovative technologies that enable mobility and wellness in rehabilitation and daily life for individuals with neurological conditions, announced that its innovative ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton technology has received clearance from the FDA for use on stairs and curbs in the US, making it the only personal exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for this indication.
oneinchpunchphotos
Lower fracture risk for older wheelchair users
13.03.2023
Being a frail elderly person and using a wheelchair involves a substantially reduced risk of fractures, a University of Gothenburg study shows. More prescriptions for wheelchairs may result.
DC_Studio
Neural prosthesis uses brain activity to decode speech
06.03.2023
Researchers from HSE University and the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry have developed a machine learning model that can predict the word about to be uttered by a subject based on their neural activity recorded with a small set of minimally invasive electrodes.
Ottobock
Ottobock unveils the patient care of the future
22.02.2023
On 20 February, the global healthtech company Ottobock opened the doors to its most state-of-the-art and future-oriented clinic to date. Located in the newly developed Sartorius Quarter in the German city of Göttingen, the clinic will provide care for patients across the country and worldwide.
KTU
An app that will train post-stroke care
20.02.2023
Statistics indicate that nearly 10 million people in the European Union are living with the severe consequences of a stroke. It is a condition that usually leaves the patient disabled, often requiring constant care. Rytis Maskeliūnas, together with an international team, has developed an app that will teach how to take care of a person who has suffered a stroke in a virtual environment.
WILDDESIGN GmbH, Gelsenkirchen
A new generation of microimplants
20.02.2023
They are barely the size of a thumbnail, able to communicate with each other and respond to each other, and designed to make life easier for people with functional limitations. We are talking about a new generation of interactive microimplants. These miniature assistants can act as a stimulus in cases of tinnitus or digestive tract disorders or help a person’s hand to regain the ability to grip.
envato/LightFieldStudios
January 2023: Dementia - aids and activities for everyday life
13.02.2023
The diagnosis of dementia hits those affected hard, as there is currently no cure for the disease. However, with the help of a good therapy that provides many incentives and the right aids, dementia can be alleviated for those affected and their relatives.
envato/LightFieldStudios
Dementia: playfully maintaining mental strength
13.02.2023
Dementia is a progressive disease and ultimately cannot be cured by any therapy. Although there are medicinal approaches that are supposed to keep brain performance, no active substance has yet been found that would revolutionize the therapy. It is therefore all the more important to preserve the patients' functional abilities for as long as possible after diagnosis.
Walsh Lab, Harvard SEAS
Soft robotic wearable restores arm function for people with ALS
13.02.2023
Some 30,000 people in the U.S. are affected by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition that damages cells in the brain and spinal cord necessary for movement. Now, a team of researchers has developed a soft robotic wearable capable of significantly assisting upper arm and shoulder movement in people with ALS.
Ottobock
Ottobock and MEDIAN combine high-tech prosthetics with specialised treatment for transfemoral amputees
06.02.2023
Following the positive vote of the ethics committee of the State Medical Association of Hesse, a multi-centre study launched in January 2023 in several MEDIAN hospitals, in which amputees receive a special prosthesis from Ottobock. The research project is intended to show how modern rehabilitation with longer stays and optimal prosthetics can improve the treatment situation for amputees in Germany
chormail
Navigating normal, cluttered spaces in mind-controlled wheelchairs
06.02.2023
A mind-controlled wheelchair can help a paralyzed person gain new mobility by translating users’ thoughts into mechanical commands. On November 18 in the journal iScience, researchers demonstrate that tetraplegic users can operate mind-controlled wheelchairs in a natural, cluttered environment after training for an extended period.
icho systems GmbH
ichó: The smart therapy ball for home use
16.12.2022
Building communication, strengthening skills, and responding to individual needs – that is the goal of icho systems GmbH. To realize their vision, the team has developed the ichó therapy ball. It brings therapeutic measures and individual support to people's homes and can be used to promote cognition and motor activity.
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
Review of the forum presentations at REHACARE
12.12.2022
Exciting products and many presentations could be experienced at the expert forum PRODUCTS & NEWS @REHACARE and at the TREFFPUNKT REHACARE 2022. We have summarized what there was to discover in a review of the forums.
THERA-Trainer by medica Medizintechnik GmbH
THERA-Trainer: Complete solution for gait rehabilitation
24.11.2022
The goal of THERA-Trainer by medica Medizintechnik GmbH is to make it easy for people with restricted mobility to regain their lost mobility. That is why the family company has designed professional therapeutic products and robotic assisted complete solutions for all phases of lower extremity rehabilitation.
Andrea Mocellin
Accessible traveling: foldable wheelchair by Revolve Mobility
18.10.2022
How can traveling become more accessible and more self-determined for wheelchair users – especially when traveling by plane or taking a cab? This is the question Andrea Mocellin wanted to address when he started inventing Revolve Air. His solution: a wheelchair with foldable wheels and a foldable frame.
Phibox
Getting fit is child’s play: Gamification in rehabilitation and physiotherapy
12.10.2022
More and more people love to play games – and do so on a regular basis by using a video game console or their cell phones. An opinion poll by the GfK research institute from last year shows that games cast a big spell on all age groups. It’s no surprise that a growing number of rehabilitation and physiotherapy concepts include game design elements to pursue recovery goals.
Rido81
Brilliantly digital: tech applications in physio and rehab
12.10.2022
Increasingly, manufacturers are offering digital solutions for different needs in the fields of rehabilitation and physiotherapy – be it customized training programs or fun exercise games. In this Topic of the Month, you can find out what innovative options are already available today and what can still be expected for the future.
DigiRehab GmbH
Quo vadis, digitalization in rehabilitation and physiotherapy?
12.10.2022
Usability, autonomy, modernity – that's what digital components should add to rehabilitation and physiotherapy. This benefits both patients and professionals according to manufacturers of new technologies and software. Conversations with experts about the current situation and the future reveal how the industry is dynamic and ever evolving.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
September 2022: REHACARE highlights in 2022
12.09.2022
It's finally that time again, REHACARE 2022 will take place live on site again! The joy is equally great among visitors and exhibitors, finally assistive devices can be tried out again and personal conversations can take place. Since we know that you can hardly wait to visit the trade fair, we have summarized some highlights for you in the Topic of the Month!
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
REHACARE highlights in 2022
12.09.2022
It's finally that time again, REHACARE 2022 will take place live on site again! The joy is equally great among visitors and exhibitors, finally assistive devices can be tried out again and personal conversations can take place. Since we know that you can hardly wait to visit the trade fair, we have summarized some highlights for you in the Topic of the Month!
Genny Mobility
Genny’s self-balancing and two wheeled wheelchair gets an upgrade – revealed at REHACARE 2022
01.09.2022
Inspired by the self-balancing Segway, Genny Mobility developed a wheelchair equivalent. What started as a newbie on the mobility aids market, now is ready for its third generation. The new wheelchair will be revealed in two weeks at this year’s REHACARE. Francesca Belotti allows for a little glimpse into what we can expect.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
August 2022: No way too far – mobile by car
29.08.2022
Not everyone likes cars and for some they are an environmental sin. But for people with disabilities, they can be helpful and represent mobility, participation and new opportunities. After all, anyone with a mobility impairment doesn't always want to be dependent on others. In the Topic of the Month, we show examples of vehicle conversions that provide more freedom.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
July 2022: Exoskeletons for prevention and therapy
28.07.2022
Exoskeletons are constantly evolving and are increasingly finding their way into prevention and therapy. In this month's Topic of the Month, we look at how they help protect people from physical harm at work and how they can be used in therapy!
Ekso Bionics Europe GmbH
Exoskeletons in rehabilitation
28.07.2022
A stroke or an accident are life-changing events since many survivors experience limitations of mobility. Not all patients regain full mobility with subsequent rehabilitation. Some physical restrictions may persist, making adaptive equipment and assistive technologies necessary. Exoskeleton use in rehabilitation shows promise for better treatment results.
Ottobock
Preventing work-related injuries: exoskeletons curb repetitive stress injuries
28.07.2022
Lifting boxes above head height, repositioning a bedridden patient, or assembling heavy components in production - many work-related activities go along with monotonous postures or repetitive lifting. Exoskeletons can reduce strain and prevent long-term musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
June 2022: Daily living aids for people with disabilities
13.07.2022
Reaching for a bottle and opening it when you're thirsty or quickly making a sandwich when you're hungry. What many people take for granted can be a problem for people with disabilities. In these situations, analog or digital daily living aids can be used to maintain independence. Read more about this in the Topic of the Month!
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
Digital assistive technologies: Modern tools to make life more accessible
13.07.2022
People with disabilities often rely on assistance in different ways. Whether it's speech computers, screen readers, i.e. software that vocalizes on-screen texts, or special power wheelchairs – what all assistance has in common here is that it works thanks to digital components.
Ornamin
Small things that have big benefits: daily living aids help make everyday life easier
27.06.2022
Opening a jar or getting on a bike to ride to the store: small things that many of us around the world do every day and tend to take for granted. But these activities are not a matter of course for everyone. Daily living aids can make a big difference to people with disabilities in making their lives easier.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
Daily living aids for people with disabilities
27.06.2022
Reaching for a bottle and opening it when you're thirsty or quickly making a sandwich when you're hungry. What many people take for granted can be a problem for people with disabilities. In these situations, analog or digital daily living aids can be used to maintain independence. Read more about this in the Topic of the Month!
Timo Hermann | Gesellschaftsbilder.de
May 2022: Leisure, sports and travel
27.05.2022
For most people, the thought of water is associated with relaxation. A day at or on the sea, boating, swimming or water sports. But what of this is possible if you are in a wheelchair, for example? We can reveal a few things. Read more in our Topic of the Month!
Ribcap
Ribcap: A weighted blanket to increase sleep and inclusion
25.05.2022
A good night sleep contributes to a healthy life and a good mood. That is why equipment supporting and improving sleep quality is on the rise. Ribcap now developed a high-quality weighted blanket to increase not only sleep quality but also inclusion. The company targets an underrecognized group: people with different conditions that decrease their sleep quality.
davidpereiras
Auxiliary means industry: sustainable production, work and life
30.04.2022
The term "sustainability" has been on everyone's lips for some years now. Supermarkets advertise sustainable products, exchange platforms emphasize the sustainability of second-hand clothing, and disposable diapers are frowned upon by many young parents because of the mountains of trash they generate. But what is the actual situation in the medical and auxiliary means industry?
envato/twenty20photos
April 2022: A new generation and sustainability
28.04.2022
Sustainability is not a luxury that companies can take up for the sake of a better image. It is necessary to implement sustainable goals quickly in order to put a stop to climate change. But what can be done in the assistive technology industry, which often relies on plastic and disposable products? And are startups ahead of established companies here? Read more in the Topic of the Month.
twinsterphoto
Start-ups in the auxiliary aids industry
28.04.2022
Anyone visiting REHACARE on site will notice numerous small stands in addition to the larger stands of many established companies. Here you can often find new start-ups that want to expand the assistive technology sector with a fresh idea.
Dot Incorporation
People with vision impairments: The Dot Pad bridges the information gap
21.04.2022
The new Dot Pad is not only smaller and lighter, but also much cheaper than conventional tactile displays – making them more affordable and accessible for people with vision impairments. Dot Inc makes the online world of images more accessible and aims to improve other areas as well. In our interview the Senior Manager Mergel Takam talks about the advantages and technology behind the Dot Pad.
PantherMedia / Youzhny
March 2022: Adaptive fashion and care textiles
24.03.2022
When it comes to fashion, tastes differ, but actually everyone attaches importance to clothing that fits well and comfortably! But to find clothes that fit is sometimes not so easy.
AMF-Bruns Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
Research and development: crash tests ensure safe design standards
17.03.2022
When it comes to mobility, safety requirements take top priority. To drive research and development in this specific area, the company newly founded a research and development company, which operates separately from the successful car conversion entity. Its competence center for mobile safety opened its doors in 2021 in Apen, Germany.
PantherMedia / BrunoWeltmann
February 2022: Living – accessible and smart
28.02.2022
How does accessible living work? What do you have to pay attention to? These are important questions that young people (should) ask themselves, for example, if they are planning to build a single-family home. Read more about this in the Topic of the Month February.
PantherMedia/bitpics
Accessible bathrooms: fostering and maintaining greater autonomy and independence
28.02.2022
For most people, the bathroom is their happy place and sanctuary – which is why it is important to remove any barriers for safety, ease, and comfort. Unfortunately, this is not always a given when it comes to people with disabilities. Unless you live in a new building, you may have to remodel bathrooms and toilet rooms to accommodate your special needs.
Benoit Systemes
Mobile, more mobile, Mobili Kit: For more mobility into the narrowest corner
22.02.2022
When mobility declines, the step up to a wheelchair can be very costly, both emotionally and organizationally. Benoit Systemes has found a solution here: With the Mobili Kit, you can still make a U-turn in even the smallest hallway – and in your own favorite chair. Tanya Veraksa told us about the advantages of the Mobili Kit and the story behind Benoit Systemes.
PantherMedia/belahoche
January 2022: Product development in the assistive technology industry
24.01.2022
What does it take to develop a really good auxiliary mean? First-hand feedback – from those who use it regularly! Through those experiences, a company benefits from the knowledge of its customers and can incorporate it into the development of its products. Read more in our Topic of the Month.
PantherMedia/belahoche
Product development in the assistive technology industry
24.01.2022
What does it take to develop a really good auxiliary mean? First-hand feedback – from those who use it regularly! Through those experiences, a company benefits from the knowledge of its customers and can incorporate it into the development of its products.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
New product development takes an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach
24.01.2022
Business stagnation is never a good thing. It’s the reason assistive technology manufacturers continuously come up with innovative equipment and improve on their existing products. REHACARE.com shows the influence users have on the assistive technology industry and explains the research and development processes in manufacturing companies.
PantherMedia/vitaliy_sokol
The future of prosthetics is here thanks to Artificial Intelligence and bionic feedback
31.08.2021
There are many exciting advances in the field of prosthetics. REHACARE.com asked prosthetic manufacturers and experts about the latest medical and technical research in laboratories and discovered how prostheses quite literally learn from the user.
PantherMedia/chagpg
Development, testing, improvements: making automobility more inclusive and safer
24.01.2021
Many of the latest trends and developments in the assistive technology realm have started and evolved through the automotive industry. Hardly any other sector features research and development departments as big and state-of-the-art as this segment. Whether it’s an in-house test center or a visionary campus – people are hard at work to shape the future of automobility.
Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de
Why inclusion is more important than ever amid the coronavirus crisis
25.06.2020
How are families of children with disabilities coping during the coronavirus crisis? A recent online survey asked this question, prompting over 1,600 participants to respond in just two weeks. What do the survey results reveal about the current state of society in terms of social participation and inclusion? We asked Dorothea Kugelmeier and Dr. Raimund Schmolze-Krahn, who launched the study.
Zahout-Heil
SmAccLab: Smart auxiliary means for everyone
28.05.2019
Accessible and realistic – that’s how auxiliary aids should be in the eyes of Professor Carsten Zahout. Students at the Smart Accessibility Laboratory (SmAccLab) are working on technical solutions that fulfill these requirements and lead to increased participation for people with disabilities. REHACARE.com found out how product engineering and inclusion join forces.
ichó systems - icho-systems.de
"ichó brings people with and without dementia together and provides a way to share stories, experiences, and impressions."
22.04.2018
Like the golden sphere in the fairy tale of the Frog King, ichó (Greek for echo) is meant to bring back lost motor skills and cognitive functions to people with dementia. The project of four former graduates of the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences aims to offer individual support through a person’s favorite music or fairy tale.
HelpCamps
HelpCamps: "Making assistive technology faster, more affordable and personalized"
23.11.2017
In accordance with the slogan "Nothing about us without us", the HelpCamps project aims at developing and implementing concepts and ideas together. To make this a reality, people with disabilities, companies from the assistive technology, care and assistance sectors, as well as stakeholders in the so-called maker movement and researchers, are brought together to network during various events.
MPI-INF/MMeyer
Will software automatically describe movie plots in the near future?
18.07.2016
In order to understand the plot of a movie an audio version is very helpful for visually impaired people. Authors watch the whole movies and describe what happens in each scene. But wouldn’t it be possible for a computer software to do this kind of work? Researchers work on developing a program which automatically generates movie descriptions and reads them out.