We seek to develop a viable, cost-effective, safe stroke rehabilitation device based upon the electronic stimulation of stroke-affected limbs. A key problem in stroke rehabilitation therapy is to have the stroke impaired limbs exercised enough to avoid muscle atrophy or deformation from contractures. In general, physical therapists do not have sufficient time to work with the patient to provide the optimum recovery result. The effect of this to society is 500,000 strokes per year with $50,000 spent on each patient in average stroke recovery costs, long recovery times, and in many cases, incomplete recovery. Implantable intelligent electronic stimulation devices should speed recovery, lower physical therapy cost, and improve recovery prognosis. In Phase 1, we will evaluate the feasibility of developing a practical device, while in Phase II, we would build and test a pre-production prototype. The device could lead to a $250,000,000 market in six years.Awardec's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:Our research would lead to a device that would be implanted sub-cutaneously in the impaired limbs of recent stroke victims. The device would use small electrical signals to sti mulate movement of limb or counteract contractures (based on a sensor electrode). This device would speed recovery and reduce physical therapist requirements.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
