The Exoskeleton
An exo Skeleton is basically an external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body, in contrast to the internal skeleton (endoskeleton) which is found in humans.
An external skeleton is a good way to describe the mechanical versions that have been adapted for us to use. They are designed to support, to enhance, to help fix and to try and re educate our bodies. There are a variety of models available such as the RoboticsReWalk Exoskeleton, Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton and the Indego. New models are being produced and tested all over the world but sadly, there are not many here in the UK yet despite the enormous health benefits. Having said that the exo skeleton is not for everyone, but it is for me I now travel 3 hours every week to have a 90 minute session in an Ekso .
I used an exo Skeleton twice in rehab and got taster for what it could do and what the benefits might be. However, once I was home finding one locally was really as hard. Approximately a year ago I found Hobbs Rehabilitation services who have an ekso bionics exoskeleton at their Winchester practice. https://www.hobbsrehabilitation.co.uk/eksobionics-exoskeleton.htm
Hobbs provide a patient-centred neurorehabilitation service they have a number of practices that are mainly in the West Country. Not exactly local but the journey is more than worth it. The physios I have encountered at Hobbs all seem to be top of their profession and have a great attitude towards rehabilitation. I would go as far as to say that they are the best I have come across in my 4 year journey through the jungle of rehabilitation.
The Ekso Bionics Skeleton is a really expensive bit of kit so sadly they only have one. The physio I see in Winchester is Louis Martinelli. Louis has been working with the Ekso Skeleton for about 4 years. He has a fantastic attitude towards rehabilitation I feel totally safe when I am in the ekso with him operating it, he gives me the freedom to try things and he gently but persuasively pushes my limits.
The best way I (a layperson) can describe the mechanics of the ekso are :
There are two main functions
1 – to support this has 3 settings High, Medium and Low support
2 - a motor to drive the legs, this works by transfering your weight to the right to release the left and visa versa thus creating or mimicking the walking pattern.
After a session I feel like I have had a real work out my middle positively zings as if I have just completed a hundred sit ups, it’s a fantastic feeling.
This is what Louis has written that best describes where we are to date with the ekso
“we have progressed from the 'bilateral' setting to '2Free'. Whereby we can challenge and explore the activity in your lower limbs to step and maintain stance in walking, effectively with the motors 'off/reduced' at times. Therefore, just a year on from first using the exoskeleton we are still able to progress and tailor the settings to meet your needs.”
Interestingly The Ekso Bionics Exoskeleton has recently been voted ‘One of the three Coolest Medical Breakthroughs’ at Healthtech ’15! - I would whole heartedly agree with this we need to get these machines into more practices and for them to be a key part of the rehabilitation process.
For those that might be interested the best way to see what this machine does is for me to talk you through my journey. Joanne Simpson who has been with me to every Hobbs session and videoed where she can, is probably better placed to do this. She is a fantastic observer of the process and will correct me when I think I am not getting anywhere. We will attempt to put a video diary together (I just need a 12 year old to help me) this will hopefully be a work in progress.
