May even improve circulation too as an added benefit...BD
In the spirit of the 15th century artist and visionary Leonardo da Vinci, the da Vinci Awards honour the most innovative developments and research in adaptive and assistive technology that embrace the Universal Design Principle-an approach to the design of products, services and environments to be usable by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or circumstance.
WalkAide is a medical device that, after more than a decade in development, has received marketing clearance from the FDA for improving walking ability of people suffering from dropfoot. The condition is 
caused by weakness or paralysis of the muscles involved in lifting t
he front part of the foot (including peroneal nerve palsy), which causes a person to experience symptoms such as dragging the toe of the shoe on the ground or slapping the foot on the floor. Invented by a team at the University of Alberta, WalkAide uses functional electrical stimulation to restore the typical nerve-to-muscle signals in the leg and foot, effectively lifting the foot at the appropriate time during the gait cycle. The resulting movement is a smoother, more natural and safer stepping motion. Users are able to walk faster and for longer distances with less fatigue. In fact, many people who try WalkAide experience immediate and substantial improvement in their walking ability, which increases their mobility, functionality, and overall independence.
Innovative Neurotronics - foot drop, dropfoot, Peroneal nerve palsy, functional electrical stimulation - Products
Source: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=30367
Oh wow! This is a very neat piece of technology. Thanks for bringing more awareness to it through this post.
ReplyDeleteWe need a laugh here and there and hopefully this technology will take off!
ReplyDeleteSoft Foot Drop Brace
ReplyDeletehttp://store.grandviewmedical.com/soft-foot-drop-brace.html
Ordinary drop foot braces are made of hard plastic, molded into shape. The posterior extension runs up the knee, while the leading edge is inserted into the shoe. For this type of footdrop brace to be effective, a sturdy shoe is required. This kind of footdrop brace does not work with loose fitting shoes or most loafers.
Soft Foot Drop Brace is 100% self contained and can be worn without shoes! Made entirely from the thinnest neoprene available, Soft Foot Drop Brace relies on elastic strapping to maintain the position of the foot and to help prevent plantar flexion. The result is a footdrop brace that is just as effective worn barefoot as a conventional hard brace and shoe.
This elastic brace conforms beautifully to the ankle and calf. Worn under stockings, it's practically invisible.
Ideal for hyper-mobile and post-polio afflictions. Includes a semirigid plantar footplate, which helps maintain the arch and provides a stable support surface.