Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence-powered robots help stroke victims


Stroke patients or others with neurological injury are turning to the rehabilitation powers of robots with artificial intelligence that help people regain previously lost mobility.

BIONIK Laboratories, a global health care company with an office in Watertown, develops robotic “InMotion” systems for the arm, hand and wrist.

The FDA-cleared products, which are used in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, work seamlessly by guiding patients with the help of a physical therapist through various movement activities displayed on a monitor.

Once the patient has a hand and arm in the InMotion device, robotic therapy takes over, using artificial intelligence to provide the patient as much assistance as needed to work through a series of movements aimed at regaining the patient’s mobility.

Dr. Eric Dusseux, CEO of BIONIK, said, “We have demonstrated that by using robotic therapy, you can heal faster and better than any conventional therapy. So that’s basically the secret weapon of what we’re doing.”

Dusseux said the autonomy and self-esteem experienced by patients using the robots “is exactly what you need when you’re a patient suffering from neurological disease.”

The system even has therapies styled like video games for younger patients. A typical session with the robot may last 30 minutes to an hour, with thousands of people using the 250 systems that have been implemented in over 20 countries.

Dusseux said the artificial intelligence data is processed to help patients and doctors get a good idea of progress, often boosting the spirits of those who are frustrated with their limited mobility.

“You can imagine the support for the first time after your stroke. You succeed in 100 percent of what you’ve been doing because you and the robot are doing it in conjunction and it is helping you as you need. And you progress much better and faster,” said Dusseux.

Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association, and when considered separately from other cardiovascular diseases, stroke ranks fifth among all causes of death in the nation, killing about 142,000 people a year.

Dusseux said the next steps for BIONIK include developing an in-home robotic system to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and home care.



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