Anchored in IP licensed from University of Maryland Baltimore, the robotic therapy being developed by Nextstep Robotics is offered as the first effective treatment option for foot drop and is designed to assist stroke survivors and others towards regaining mobility using clinically proven rehabilitation training. Mobility limitations that inhibit affected persons from lifting their toe while walking puts them at risk for falls and - by extension, limits their ability to access their communities. The initial focus of Nextstep's SBIR funded project are stroke victims. However, foot drop also afflicts those having multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and Parkinsons disease - clearly suggesting major potential impact from the firm's approach. Registered with the FDA as a Class 1 Exercise Device, the device can be sold and used without FDA approval. Clinics using the NextStep system are provided opportunity to offer personalized robotics therapy through the firm's adaptive software - an assist-as-needed approach. Worn by the patient, the easy-to-use robot is designed to be operated by any trained clinical staff, freeing up therapists with highly advanced training to provide hands-on treatment of patients other rehabilitation needs. The robots unique training protocol is used to promote motor learning in just a few weeks. From a clinical standpoint, the robot serves as a training device, not an assistive device. The approach is initially to place the device in clinics as an exercise device with the training protocol providing enough effect to elicit neuromotor reeducation in its users allowing higher reimbursement rates than the usual gait training or therapeutic exercise.
