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Stroke patients who have lost strength and sensation in one arm could get a boost from Realive, a robotic suit that uses the movement of the healthy limb to help rehabilitate the damaged one. When a patient bends the unaffected arm, sensors detect the activity and send signals to rubber muscles wrapped around the other limb, which then mimics the healthy arm's motions. Inspired by studies showing that simply using damaged limbs can speed recovery by stimulating nerve cells, the device can also help motivate stroke victims to stay on track with physical therapy.

Inventor: Panasonic
Availability: By 2011
NEXT: Atmospheric water extraction machines





BY ANITA HAMILTON, MARYANNE MURRAY BUECHNER, JEREMY CAPLAN, WILSON ROTHMAN AND ALICE PARK

Copyright © 2006 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

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