Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic event that thrusts 5 million people worldwide into a life challenged by disability. This generates dependency in Activities of Daily Living; health complications associated with lack of mobility (osteoporosis, chronic pain, pressure sores, and cardiovascular, digestive and urinary problems); high economic costs (350 k€ 1st year, 40 k€ next); and severe social and psychological consequences.
People with a SCI could walk again if they had a robotic exoskeleton to restore the leg movements affected by the injury. However, the devices on the market are expensive, heavy and require professional supervision. Therefore, they are only found in large hospitals and are out of reach for the patient.
The World Health Organization estimates that there are 250 to 500 thousand new SCI cases every year. In industrialized countries, 60% of the injuries are incomplete (some sensory or motor function below injury level). Half of these patients (99.000 in EU and 117.000 in US) maintain certain control over the hip, but not the knee and ankle joints, and do not have technology adapted to its specific motor needs.
ABLE is the first lightweight, easy-to-use and affordable exoskeleton that allows SCI people to walk again. It is based on an electric actuator that flexes and extends the knee during walking, mimicking human natural movement, and an inertial sensor that detects the user’s intention to take the step forward. A unique and patented control method leverages the user experience with the exoskeleton by seamlessly detecting their intention, without performing unnatural postural cues. Furthermore, algorithms’ parameters are constantly updated using machine learning techniques to meet specific user requirements during gait.
The objective of the feasibility study was to validate the business plan for the ABLE project for SCI, including market segmentation assessment, commercialization strategy validation and close agreements with key partners and stakeholders. However, during this Phase 1 implementation, we have been able to obtain additional public funding to bring the product for SCI individuals to the market. Therefore, we have taken this opportunity to identify other medical applications where the ABLE technology can fit.
Now we can conclude that the most promising application is STROKE, due to its large and rising market and the need for customized solutions. We can also confirm, after a deep analysis, that adapting the ABLE technology to post-stroke individuals is technically, financially and commercially feasible. This is why we have decided to apply to EIC Accelerator with a proposal named Lazarus, to proceed with the implementation phase and bring the product for stroke to market. We have built a complete roadmap, sizing the team and analyzing the budget required to bring this innovative technology to the market to improve the quality of life of many people.
Developing a product for this new market will have a great economic impact on our company. In addition, having a product portfolio for several applications will allow us to offer a complete solution to a wider spectrum of users in a continuum care basis.
