Technology

Additional Specialized Technology

The NESS H200 Bioness is a neuroprosthetic device used to improve hand function and voluntary movement in patients with upper extremity hemiparesis or paralysis due to stroke, spinal cord injury or brain injury. It consists of five surface electrodes within the device used to stimulate and activate the muscles of the hand. The device is used to assist patients with grasping and releasing objects and for activities of daily living (ADLs).

The NESS L300 Foot Drop System is a neuroprosthetic device used to prevent foot drop during gait for patients with hemiparesis due to stroke, incomplete spinal cord injury or brain injury. It consists of a small wireless gait sensor, a leg cuff and a hand-held control unit. The leg cuff sits just below the knee and contains a stimulation unit and electrodes. When the heel comes off the ground, wireless signals from the gait sensor are sent to the stimulation unit in the leg cuff which stimulates the muscles to contract and lift the patient's foot while walking.

Body weight Supported Treadmill Training (BWSTT) systems are being used for rehabilitation in many practices all across the country for a variety of patient population, including those with neural impairments, orthopedic injuries and degenerative diseases.

It has been shown to be an effective way of retraining gait in patients with neurological injuries resulting from stroke, brain injury or spinal cord injury.

The system can provide stability during locomotion and help progress weight bearing according to the patient’s needs.

It involves fitting a patient into a harness, which is attached to an overhead suspension system positioned over the treadmill portion of the unit. This suspension system is used to support a percentage of the patient’s body weight as the patient walks on the treadmill at various speeds.  

Specially trained therapists provide manual assistance to improve the patient’s walking pattern, postural control, motor recovery, strength and endurance.

The Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallow, or FEES, is a procedure that tests the oropharyngeal phase of the swallow reflex.  The diagnostic test uses a flexible endoscope, which is inserted through the nose and connected to a video camera to allow the speech-language pathologist (SLP) to evaluate the pharyngeal and laryngeal mechanism. The  SLP may also provide something to eat or drink during the procedure.

The RT300 FES cycle combines a rehabilitation technique called Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) with a motorized ergometer machine that allows for repetitive activity. FES uses computer-generated, low-level electrical pulses, which cause coordinated contractions of the leg muscles while sensors provide constant feedback to a computer. The result is a smooth and natural pedaling with the patient’s leg muscles providing the power to move the bike.

The Indego is a powered, lower limb exoskeleton that enables people with neurological injuries to walk and participate in over-ground gait training.

According to developers of the slim and lightweight medical device from Parker Hannifin, the design consists of five snap-together components, including a hip component and upper leg components with two motors and embedded sensors and controllers that aid with many different types of movements, including sit-to and from-stand transitions, walking, turning and veering.

Using an iOS app, Madonna’s expert clinicians can control the patient’s stride length, step frequency and step height in a variety of different therapy settings while recording data to help track the individual’s rehabilitation progress.

The Interactive Rehabilitation and Exercise System (IREX) is a virtual reality therapy system that uses gesture control technology to place patients into simulated environments on a screen such as virtual sports or gaming.  It allows patients, regardless of their age, ability or condition, to have fun in an environment they would not otherwise be able to experience such as sky diving, scuba and race car driving. 

Capable of measuring range of motion and other data points from the human body, the IREX allows therapists to program specific therapy routines for their patients to help achieve maximal recovery, and to measure their progress along the way. For example, individuals with difficulties moving an arm may be assigned a gaming task that encourages them to move their arm within a range that is considered appropriate to advance their functioning.  Tasks can be used to improve a variety of skills including balance, trunk control, mobility, cognitive skills, processing speed, etc.   

The NTrainer System is a medical device designed to assess and reinforce non-nutritive sucking skills (NNS) in newborns and infants. The device consists of a silicone pacifier with a computer-controlled air pump that pulsates the nipple and stimulates the patient’s lips and tongue to help train the infant’s brain to prepare for independent oral feeding.

The Proprio 4000 provides balance training through dynamic range of motion (D-ROM) technology, which provides a multidirectional, dynamic platform and motion analysis that evaluates actual performance. The movements of the patient and the platform work together to create real-life movements that provide safe, controlled exercise.

This equipment is a proven method in treating patients with lower extremity orthopedic injuries. It is also effective for treating patients with stroke, brain injury or other neurological conditions resulting in balance disturbance.

The ReoGo, a neuromuscular retraining device, is an upper extremity robotic arm with a motor to assist with some or all of the movement to help patients regain upper extremity function. It can range anywhere from total assist to no assist from the motor. The ReoGo is exercise-based and helps lay the groundwork for regaining arm function. With engaging, interactive stimuli, it exercises cognitive capabilities and motor skills.

The Sanet Vision Integrator (SVI) looks like a large, touch-screen television and features a variety of programs to build vision skills in a wide range of patients.

It incorporates both auditory and visual stimuli, using numbers, letters and words. It is used to enhance hand-eye coordination, visual reaction time, central-peripheral integration

The SmartWheel, a computerized, blue disc that attaches to a wheel of a wheelchair, examines manual wheelchair use by analyzing each push on the handrim. The SmartWheel measures push force, push frequency, push length, push smoothness, speed and much more. It creates automated reports that allow therapists to optimize wheelchair set-up and push style to reduce repetitive stress, optimize equipment selection and insurance justification for reimbursement and improve client evaluations through comparisons with a national database.

The Wayne Saccadic Fixator is a wall-mounted instrument with a touch-sensitive surface containing 33 LED lights arranged in three concentric circles with one light at the center.

A built-in computer provides a nearly unlimited variety of activities for developing eye-hand coordination, accuracy, speed, sequencing, directionality, pattern recognition, visual memory, anticipation, reaction time, peripheral awareness and more. The user responds to the appearance of a light by pressing the surface surrounding it.

Assistive Technology

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) benefits individuals who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate. AAC is a clinical area of practice that uses different methods of communication for individuals with communication impairments or disabilities. Various technologies and strategies are used to assist individuals of all ages with varied levels of physical or learning challenges. 

Speech generating devices (SDGs) are a form of AAC technology that can assist non-speaking individuals with communication. Using the latest in AAC technology and intervention strategies, specially trained speech-language pathologists (SLPs) provide AAC evaluations and treatments for children and adults with complex communication needs. Collaborative evaluations and treatments with specially trained occupational and physical therapists are also available when needed to optimize access and positioning to AAC technology. AAC evaluations include trials of technology and strategies, assistance with acquiring funding for recommended technology and training.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Dr. Susan Fager at 402.413.4506.

Assistive technology specialists work with people to increase their ability to operate a computer for work, school or home following disabilities that limit their mobility or muscle function. An evaluation is completed to identify a person's individual needs, goals and functional capacity. The therapist then works to accommodate the person by creating a customized computer set up that allows the greatest level of independence with computer tasks. A variety of assistive technology solutions are available to reach a person's goals with computer access such as switches, keyboard modifications, voice activation, eye gaze and keyboard access devices.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Dr. Susan Fager at 402.413.4506.

Electronic Aids to Daily Living, or EADL devices, give people with disabilities a means to control telephones, televisions and other audio visual devices, lamps, lights and other appliances and attendant call systems.

The assistive technology specialists evaluate each person's individual needs and desires to independently control electronic devices in their environment, using their functional abilities. The therapist can provide custom modifications to software, electronics and other appliances to promote independence and safety in their environment.

The Technology Lab provides a vast inventory of switches and environmental control devices that are available for evaluation and trial, offering solutions for independent operation and control of various devices in a person's home, work or school environment. Therapists also consult with durable medical equipment specialists to determine funding options that may cover assistive technology device costs. The Assistive Technology Lab provides a unique opportunity to see assistive technology solutions in action and facilitates the most appropriate match between the person served and technology available.

For more information or to schedule an evaluation, please contact Dr. Susan Fager at 402.413.4506.