The European Disability Forum welcomes the "Declaration of the Spanish Presidency of the European Council on Expanding Voting Rights of Persons with Disabilities". Six obligations in particular should be emphasized to guarantee the rights of people with disabilities, including promotion of cooperation between the Member States of the European Union.
Create it REAL introduces the TRACKY project founded by the DREAM program. The primary goal of TRACKY is to demonstrate the viability of a circular economy business model centered around orthopedic corsets. The project is started and runs until the end of May 2024.
In 1888, Dr. Allen DeVilbiss developed a "spray syringe" to revolutionize drug delivery in respiratory therapies and founded his own company to manufacture and distribute this nebulizer. Today, 135 years later, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of airway and oxygen therapy devices.
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. today announced its acceptance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") for final approval of the Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780 for calendar year 2024. At issue is the inclusion of exoskeletons in the Medicare Brace benefit category.
Sunrise Medical has announced the acquisition of Ride Designs, the industry leader in customized seating systems for wheelchair users. This acquisition expands Sunrise Medical's product offering in seating and positioning systems with high-quality customized solutions.
The 2023 edition of the European Accessibility Summit was organised by the European Disability Forum. Several industry representatives and disability rights activists discussed the current opportunities and trends related to accessibility, especially since the adoption of the European Accessibility Act.
On October 9, 2023, the IX BACK AIR exoskeleton from "SUITX by Ottobock" was introduced for use in the logistics industry, combining the benefits of both rigid and soft systems. The innovation is designed to significantly reduce the workload in logistics and increase efficiency.
The UN released a report on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities, highlighting a lack of progress over the past decade. Key findings show that many individuals with disabilities lack preparedness plans, access to disaster information, and awareness of risk reduction plans, while they also have limited participation in community-level decision-making.
The European Accessibility Summit discussed the importance of creating an inclusive digital work environment for workers with disabilities and promoting digital skills for all. The panel highlighted the challenges faced by people with disabilities in digital inclusion and emphasized the need for accessibility and reasonable accommodation.
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are developing ultrasonic sensors to control prosthetic hands. The sensors transmit sound pulses into the muscle tissue of the arm and enable the recognition of movement patterns, which are then sent to the prosthesis in real time by an AI-controlled electronic box.
The children's wheelchairs from Veldink4kids are being given a new name "kidevo" to symbolize their integration into Ottobock and to make it easier for parents to select a suitable wheelchair for their children. There are three models: kidevo prime, kidevo mini and kidevo adapt, each of which can be adapted to different age groups and activity levels of children.
PARAVAN offers a new solution for the VW Caddy 5 Maxi with an electric interior folding ramp that allows customers with disabilities to enter comfortably from the side. The vehicle offers a low entry height, versatile adaptation options for individual needs and was presented at REHACARE 2023.
Dr. Andreas Kannenberg and Dr. Gerald Stark of Ottobock were honored with two awards during the AOPA meeting in the U.S., the Howard R. Thranhardt Award for their research on the C-Brace leg orthosis and the Sam E. Hamontree Business Education Award for outstanding presentations in O&P business and education.
ETH Zurich will present CYBATHLON, a non-profit project showcasing assistive technologies and inclusive design, at RehaCare 2023. From September 13-16, 2023, hands-on demonstrations will showcase the advancement of assistive technologies and announce CYBATHLON, an international competition to promote assistive technologies and inclusion.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed an AI-based system, including BiomacVR and BiomacEMG, aimed at aiding stroke victims' rehabilitation by monitoring arm movements through wearable technology. This technology benefits both patients and professionals, enabling precise exercise design and individualized treatment plans.
Pride Mobility has introduced the Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel, an innovative and stylish mobility device, expanding their range of products. It offers exceptional speed, comfort, and adaptivity with a focus on stability and safety, while also emphasizing user independence and choice in transportation.
Sunrise Medical's mobility products have won awards in the 2023 Mobility Product Award program by Mobility Management. The competition was fierce, showcasing innovation in Complex Rehab Technology and mobility industries.
The two power wheelchairs Jazzy® EVO 613Li and Jazzy® EVO 614HD by Pride Mobility won 2023 Mobility Product Awards for their excellent performance. The Jazzy EVO 613Li offers a nimble ride with Mid-Wheel 6® tech, while the Jazzy EVO 614HD excels in strength and terrain versatility.
ReWalk Robotics acquires AlterG, a leading provider of Anti-Gravity systems for rehabilitation, to expand its portfolio in neurorehabilitation. The transaction strengthens ReWalk's market presence, accelerates its path to profitability and enables new product development.
The new PARAVAN Hyundai STARIA is a modern wheelchair-accessible multivan that can be customized and is available with various features such as a cassette lift, drive and steering system, and voice control. Thanks to a lowered vehicle floor, it offers spacious interior space for wheelchair and passengers.
ReWalk Robotics supports CMS proposal to include personal exoskeletons in Medicare benefit category for braces, aiming to expedite coverage and improve access to innovative technologies for individuals with neurological conditions. Stakeholders have a 60-day comment period to provide feedback before the expected finalization of the rule in early November.
A groundbreaking surgical and engineering advancement has allowed a person with an arm amputation to control each finger of a bionic hand as if it were their own. By reconfiguring the residual limb and integrating sensors and a skeletal implant, the prosthesis can now be controlled using A.I. algorithms and nerve rewiring, offering new possibilities for amputees.
Funke Medical GmbH has expanded its product range with the MobiTurn® turning and positioning aid, which can be used in inpatient and home care. The intelligent aid facilitates the repositioning of immobile patients and enables back-friendly care.
National Seating & Mobility (NSM), the largest provider of mobility solutions in North America, has partnered with munevo, Inc. to introduce the munevo DRIVE smart glass alternative drive control for power wheelchairs in the U.S., providing greater independence and freedom for power chair users through innovative technology.
The C-Brace, an advanced stand and swing phase-controlled orthosis (MP-SSCO), shows better neurorehabilitation outcomes compared to conventional leg orthoses (KAFOs) in an international study. The study provided important insights for clinical practice and could provide the basis for effective reimbursement for the C-Brace.