An orthopaedic hospital in Shropshire is the first in the UK to deploy mobility medical robotics for those suffering from neurological disorders and upper-limb paralysis.
The powered orthosis, from U.S. medical robotics company Myomo, is available for patients at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital following investment from voluntary organisation League of Friends.
Originally developed at MIT with Harvard Medical School, the MyoPro arm and hand orthosis device works by reading the faint nerve signals from the surface of the skin. Myomo said it is fully non-invasive, with no implants require, and the myoelectric signals activate small motors to move the limb as the user intends with no need for electrical stimulation.
The user is controlling their own hand, wrist, elbow, and arm with the robotic arm brace amplifying weak muscle signals to help move the upper limb. The team called it “power steering for your arm”.
Simon Pickard, consultant orthopaedic surgeon who specialises in hand and upper limb surgery – specifically upper limb paralysis from brain or spinal cord injury as well as peripheral nerve injuries – was behind the purchase of the system.
He said: “This is a really innovative and progressive piece of equipment that will benefit a large cohort of our patients going forward – especially those with weakened muscles or paralysis that require intensive rehabilitation.
“The brace provides the opportunity to help patients retrain muscles that they cannot control, or are recovering following injury or reconstructive surgery, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to carry out day-to-day activities.
“As the first NHS Trust to have this system, it means we have the opportunity to be involved in high-quality research and will allow us, as a hospital, to provide our patients with world-class care.”
