FDA Clearance of Functional Electrical Stimulation FES Arm Cycling

[Christopher]

If I was newly injured, I would threaten my insurance company
with hell if they didn't cover this. I always wondered why one of these
was invented before, and thought long and hard about trying to make my own,
but was to far off the deep end at my injury's onset to do much more than
get corrective surgeries and take pain killers.

I hope someone out there can take advantage of this and it helps them out!




http://www.restorative-therapies.com/Al ... 0crank.htm

http://www.prnewsnow.com/PR%20News%20Re ... %20Cycling
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Restorative Therapies Announces FDA Clearance of Functional Electrical Stimulation FES Arm Cycling


Restorative Therapies, Inc., advances its new era in treatment for neurological injury and paralysis as this FDA clearance marks the world's first commercial release of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) for Arm Cycling.

In the treatment of neurological damage, FES is used to evoke physical activity and exercise not otherwise possible for individuals with a neurological impairment. This latest RT300 capability delivers electrical currents to stimulate nerves which activate arm muscles including the biceps, triceps, supraspinatus, anterior and posterior deltoids and the muscles of the forearm. This enables a patient's paralyzed or weak arms to move through patterned physical activity utilizing their own muscles.

"FES Arm Cycling is a true world first. Physical Therapists and now Occupational Therapists are able to provide the RT300's activity based therapy not only to impaired legs but also to impaired arms." says John McDonald, MD, PhD, founder of Restorative Therapies, Inc., lead Neurologist to the Late Christopher Reeve, and director of the International Center for Spinal Cord Injury at the Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore.

"Often after a stroke, only one side of the body is impaired; after a spinal cord injury commonly both sides are involved. FES Arm Cycling can be used to stimulate muscle groups in just one impaired arm or in both, customized to the needs of the individual." McDonald concludes.

"This new FES for Arms capability utilizes all of the great RT300 features including dynamic motor support, internet connectivity, self advancing smart therapy and wheel up ease of use." says Andrew Barriskill, CEO of Restorative Therapies. "We are excited to introduce this world first therapy to a large group of patients who currently have no other physical activity options for their arms."

FES for Arm Cycling is the latest result of Restorative Therapies commitment to ongoing development of the RT300 system; it is the third FDA clearance for the RT300 system during 2007.

About Restorative Therapies, Inc.

Restorative Therapies (http://www.restorative-therapies.com) is a privately-held company headquartered in Baltimore, Md., whose mission is to help people with neurological impairment achieve their full recovery potential. Restorative Therapies is one of the first companies to target activity-based therapy and FES as a treatment for immobility associated with paralysis such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury.

For further information please call 800 609-9166 option 1

[Aurelia]

I just got a handbike delivered the other day, tabletop, no fes.(a normal one) but again I wish I had had the option to work those muscles when I was newly injured while the muscle wasn't atrophied as I feel I might have made a better recovery. However, am starting now with 15 mins a day and hope to re-active some of my lesser muscles or shoulder winging on right side.

[swhite1]

Christopher you are amazing! You go above and beyond a mere contribution to us. You are our Spock, our Science Officer of the highest rank and merit.
Thank you for all you do on our behalf.
I think I understand this machine.(yea right...) Does it stimulate the muscles to turn the crank? Is it possible to regain muscle mass without the nerves working on their own? I guess I'm too lame and don't understand it. I think I'm missing something really big here.

Scott