eligibility

Eligibility

What conditions are suitable for exoskeleton rehabilitation?

The exoskeleton is used for patients with neurological disorders (diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system). The main conditions treated are below, however many other conditions causing weakness of the lower limbs may be treated using the exoskeleton.

• Stroke: Hemiparesis (weakness on one side of the body) and Hemiplegia (paralysis on one side of the body).
• Spinal cord injury: Level C7 or below (refers to region along spinal cord affected, C7 is an area located just below the neck).
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Guillain-Barre
• Acquired brain injury (brain damage caused by events after birth).

Who is eligible for exoskeleton rehabilitation?

Patients must meet the following criteria in order to be able to use the exoskeleton:

• Elbows and shoulders must be able to support crutches or a walker.
• Ability to stand using a frame or standing support.
• The patient must have healthy bone density (amount of bone mineral in bone tissue).
• Hip width and leg segment lengths are within the range of adjustability of the device (height range approximately 5’ to 6’3’’).
• Skeleton does not have any unhealed fractures (inability for a broken bone to heal due to lack of blood blow and/or stability).
• Weight does not exceed 100kg.

I would like to try it – What do I need to do?

You can contact the service at exoskeleton@dcu.ie and express your interest. You will need to answer some pre-screen questions to establish your suitability. You will then be required to get your GP to sign a form clearing you to be assessed by the team here. The assessment done by the team here will establish if you would be safe to use the suit and a trial of the suit would happen at that stage.