Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Selected as Charter Participant in eLEGS Investigational Trials

ALLENTOWN, Pa., May 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network (www.GoodShepherdRehab.org), an Allentown, Pennsylvania-based innovator in the rehabilitation of physical and cognitive disabilities, has been selected as one of ten top rehabilitation centers in the nation to participate in eLEGS investigational trials. eLEGS is a wearable, bionic robot by Berkeley Bionics (berkeleybionics.com) that allows those with lower-extremity paralysis or weakness to power up to stand and walk.

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Unveiled in October, 2010, and five years in development by Berkeley Bionics, eLEGS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcM0ruq28dc) was #3 in CNN's "Top Ten Innovations of 2010," #2 in Wired's "Top Ten Gadgets of 2010," and one of TIME's "50 Best Inventions of 2010." eLEGS is a ready-to-wear, battery-powered exoskeleton that is strapped over the user's clothing with Velcro and clips. Relatively quiet in operation, it provides unprecedented knee flexion, which translates into the most natural human gait available in any exoskeleton today. The device can be adjusted in a few minutes to fit most people weighing 220 pounds or less, and between 5'2" and 6'2".  

"The wheelchair has been the only mobility option for people with paralysis for the past 500 years," explained Berkeley Bionics' CEO Eythor Bender. "We aim to change that."

For Kevin Oldt of Allentown, Pennsylvania, eLEGS enabled him to stand and walk on Tuesday--for the first time since his spinal cord injury during a snowmobile accident nine years ago. Paralyzed from the waist down, he has kept his upper body in shape by working out at a gym and participating in aquatic therapy at Good Shepherd.

From May 10-13, Kevin and six other patients with lower-extremity weakness or paralysis are testing eLEGS at Good Shepherd's outpatient neuro-rehabilitation department.

"Good Shepherd, as a national leader in the early adoption and use of rehabilitation technology, is proud to be one of only a few post-acute providers throughout the country selected by Berkeley Bionics to test eLEGS," said Sally Gammon, president and CEO, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network. "This is a hopeful time for people with lower limb impairments, and we at Good Shepherd are excited to be a part of eLEGS' refinement."

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Sara Gammon

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SOURCE Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network