Ribcap
Adaptive clothing: beautiful, trendy and stylish
11.09.2024
People with disabilities often need clothing that is adapted to their individual needs. These garments are characterised by functional elements. However, some manufacturers not only fulfil the practical but also the fashion requirements of their customers.
Etienne de Livron
Functionality meets aesthetics: why the design of assistive devices is more important than ever
26.08.2024
Aids such as wheelchairs, prostheses and walking aids are an integral part of everyday life for many people with disabilities. Their flawless functionality is undoubtedly essential. However, their aesthetic design is now also coming into focus. We have collected examples and opinions on this topic.
Freedom One Life
A power wheelchair for more joy and freedom
07.08.2024
Alex Papanikolaou learnt from online forums that he was not the only one who was dissatisfied with his wheelchairs. Based on his personal experience, he founded a production company for power wheelchairs: Freedom One Life. The products had to be robust and practical in order to contribute to a better quality of life.
STEETS
Innovative STEETS module: Safe placement of walking aids
10.07.2024
An innovative idea in the field of mobility devices comes onto the market: the STEETS module makes it possible to place walking aids safely and stably. After four years of intensive development and testing, three students from Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts and Paderborn University and Paderborn University of Applied Sciences and Arts present their final product.
Abby Bobrow
Product development: Wheelchair technology on the move
24.06.2024
Adam Bleakney, the Head Coach of the University of Illinois Wheelchair Track and Road Racing team, had a major influence on the project to create a ballbot wheelchair. Supported by the U.S.'s National Science Foundation (NSF), collaborators with the University of Illinois developed this new invention that changes the lives of many wheelchair users.
TU Berlin
Students build exoskeleton for paraplegics
05.06.2024
Students at TU Berlin have developed an exoskeleton that enables people with paraplegia to walk and overcome obstacles. Their project, called RISE (Research and Innovation in Student Exoskeleton development), which will be competing in this year's CYBATHLON in October, promises greater mobility and independence.
Create it REAL
Digital transformation without upfront investment: 3D printing as a trailblazer
22.05.2024
The orthopaedic industry is changing. 3D printing enables the production of patient-specific products with complex designs and improved properties. Create it REAL, a leading provider of 3D printing solutions, supports companies in their digital transformation and offers innovative services to take advantage of this technology.
CUREosity GmbH
CUREosity and partners launch pilot project for virtual reality therapy
07.02.2024
Since February 1, 2024, the German health insurance company Techniker Krankenkasse has been reimbursing virtual reality therapy (VR therapy) with CUREO® in rehabilitation, making it the first health insurance company in Germany to make this modern therapy method available to its policyholders. The offer is initially aimed at patients of the Ambulanticum, which is the ideal partner for the project.
HAWK
Ottobock and HAWK conclude cooperation agreement
13.12.2023
Ottobock and HAWK have signed a cooperation agreement for the Orthobionics study course in order to train specialists for the growing future market. Ottobock is contributing its industry expertise, supporting innovative teaching, promoting practical training and planning an endowed professorship for the course.
Opt Lasers / Unsplash
3D printing – the future of assistive device manufacturing?
06.12.2023
It appears to be magic: seemingly out of nowhere, modern 3D printers not only create shapes and figures, but also entire kits for technical devices. The assistive technology industry is recognizing the almost infinite possibilities of 3D printing. From customized prostheses to ergonomic seat cushions – the future of this technology has only just begun.
Create it REAL
Continuous recycling of 3D-printed orthopedic corsets
27.11.2023
Create it REAL introduces the TRACKY project founded by the DREAM program. The primary goal of TRACKY is to demonstrate the viability of a circular economy business model centered around orthopedic corsets. The project is started and runs until the end of May 2024.
Drive Medical GmbH & Co. KG
135 years of DeVilbiss nebulizer – specialist in respiratory therapy
22.11.2023
In 1888, Dr. Allen DeVilbiss developed a "spray syringe" to revolutionize drug delivery in respiratory therapies and founded his own company to manufacture and distribute this nebulizer. Today, 135 years later, Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare is the leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of airway and oxygen therapy devices.
ReWalk Robotics, Inc.
Medicare coverage solidified for ReWalk personal exoskeleton
13.11.2023
ReWalk Robotics Ltd. today announced its acceptance to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS") for final approval of the Home Health Prospective Payment System Rule CMS-1780 for calendar year 2024. At issue is the inclusion of exoskeletons in the Medicare Brace benefit category.
tongpatong
Sunrise Medical completes strategic acquisition of Ride Designs
08.11.2023
Sunrise Medical has announced the acquisition of Ride Designs, the industry leader in customized seating systems for wheelchair users. This acquisition expands Sunrise Medical's product offering in seating and positioning systems with high-quality customized solutions.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
"SUITX by Ottobock" sets new standards in exoskeleton technology
25.10.2023
On October 9, 2023, the IX BACK AIR exoskeleton from "SUITX by Ottobock" was introduced for use in the logistics industry, combining the benefits of both rigid and soft systems. The innovation is designed to significantly reduce the workload in logistics and increase efficiency.
Fraunhofer IBMT
Bidirectional control of prosthetic hands using ultrasonic sensors
16.10.2023
Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute are developing ultrasonic sensors to control prosthetic hands. The sensors transmit sound pulses into the muscle tissue of the arm and enable the recognition of movement patterns, which are then sent to the prosthesis in real time by an AI-controlled electronic box.
Orthopaedic assistance thanks to 3D printing
09.10.2023
For some years now, the use of 3D printers has been steadily increasing. The devices offer many possibilities to give free rein to one's own creativity. But in addition to simple gimmicks, the printers can also produce a variety of complex products quickly and reliably. Create it REAL uses the technology for orthopaedic CAM solutions.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
kidevo: New name for Veldink4kids children's wheelchairs
04.10.2023
The children's wheelchairs from Veldink4kids are being given a new name "kidevo" to symbolize their integration into Ottobock and to make it easier for parents to select a suitable wheelchair for their children. There are three models: kidevo prime, kidevo mini and kidevo adapt, each of which can be adapted to different age groups and activity levels of children.
munevo GmbH
Revolutionary mobility: munevo DRIVE – freedom and independence through head control
02.10.2023
Saskia lives with GNE myopathy and could hardly control her electric wheelchair due to decreasing arm strength. With munevo DRIVE, a head control, she regains mobility and independence. munevo GmbH is working on using this technology to control smarthome devices as well, thus giving people with disabilities more autonomy.
PARAVAN
PARAVAN VW Caddy 5 Maxi: innovative solution with electric side entry
20.09.2023
PARAVAN offers a new solution for the VW Caddy 5 Maxi with an electric interior folding ramp that allows customers with disabilities to enter comfortably from the side. The vehicle offers a low entry height, versatile adaptation options for individual needs and was presented at REHACARE 2023.
Personality: Companies with passion
18.09.2023
In the assistive technology industry, the focus is on people – at REHACARE as well. But what actually motivates companies to become active in this field? Behind many businesses is an astonishingly personal story that was once the cause and is still the motivation to help people. We took a closer look.
Lifestyle: Live your dream – traction devices for wheelchairs and more
18.09.2023
Life is too short for boredom. People with disabilities or chronic illnesses also want pursue their dreams, passions and hobbies like anyone else. Sometimes this requires special assistance devices. What these are and what possibilities they offer, we wanted to know from the exhibitors at REHACARE.
NextGuide: White cane with directional guide
18.09.2023
Development teams from a wide range of aids compete against each other in the CYBATHLON at ETH Zurich to test new solutions in a fair competition. At REHACARE, ETH Zurich will present the CYBATHLON and its various competition disciplines. One of the developer teams present is NextGuide, which has developed an intelligent cane for the blind.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Two AOPA Awards for Ottobock employees
18.09.2023
Dr. Andreas Kannenberg and Dr. Gerald Stark of Ottobock were honored with two awards during the AOPA meeting in the U.S., the Howard R. Thranhardt Award for their research on the C-Brace leg orthosis and the Sam E. Hamontree Business Education Award for outstanding presentations in O&P business and education.
For the future of all children
15.09.2023
For children to be our future, we must first provide them with a future. Children and young people with a disability or chronic illness need special assistive devices adapted to their body size and developmental stages. Here, other factors play a role than in the case of devices for adults. We looked around at REHACARE for solutions for young people.
HKK Bionics: Motion is freedom
15.09.2023
Most people use their hands for countless activities – every day. But what happens when your own hands no longer want to do what you are used to? At REHACARE, we spoke with HKK Bionics GmbH and asked them what makes their products for people with disabilities of the hands so special and how they can help people in everyday life. HKK Bionics can be found during the trade fair in Hall 4 / Stand D47.
Dare to make a new start – manage the return to work
14.09.2023
Many people living with a disability or chronic illness face particular challenges in the labour market. Prejudices, structural barriers in road traffic or in buildings, lack of confidence in their own abilities – the list is long. At REHACARE, various authorities, institutions and associations present possibilities and give practical tips on how to get back into work or to reorient oneself.
Strengthen and protect the body with exoskeletons
14.09.2023
Science fiction a few years ago, exoskeletons are already a reality today. But while they are used regularly in some industries to lift heavy loads, their use in care or in the area of self-determined mobility is still the exception. At REHACARE, various companies will present their ideas and solutions with which those affected and carers could benefit from this technology now and in the future.
CYBATHLON: Competition promotes progress
14.09.2023
New techniques, technologies, strategies and ideas have always been particularly important when competing against rivals. In the CYBATHLON, people with disabilities, supported by the latest developments from the assistive technology industry, regularly compete against each other to test new innovations under sporting and fair conditions.
Exhibit, exchange, collaborate
14.09.2023
Over 700 exhibitors will present a wide range of products and solutions for people with disabilities or chronic illnesses at REHACARE 2023. In addition to the exchange with those affected and their relatives, the focus is also on networking and collaboration between companies. We wanted to know more about how companies benefit from this exchange.
Unique in function and design: adaptive clothing from FunWear
14.09.2023
Ideas for adaptive clothing – directly from the life experiences of a family. This is what FunWear from Poland stands for. The family business develops and sells clothing for people with individual needs. At REHACARE, we spoke with family father and co-owner Lukasz Wysocki.
Invictus Games – A home for respect
13.09.2023
Soldiers who have suffered physical or psychological injuries in the field have long been left alone to deal with their problems. The Invictus Games, launched in 2014 by Britain's Prince Harry, now give these people a chance to be seen and to compete against each other in sport. The competitions will take place parallel to REHACARE until 16.09.2023 at the Messe Düsseldorf exhibition centre.
Breaking freezing: Ossenberg presents anti-freezing walking stick
13.09.2023
Many people with Parkinson's are familiar with the sudden freezing when walking – so called freezing. When the feeling of paralysis sets in, nothing works anymore. Ossenberg GmbH has taken on the problem and developed a special anti-freezing walking stick. Björn Furche, project manager at Ossenberg, explains at REHACARE how exactly the cane can break freezing.
Decide for yourself where you go: intelligent wheelchair control for complex movement disorders
11.09.2023
CoMoveIT's new control system for power wheelchairs offers entirely new possibilities in terms of mobility. With two foot pedals and three sophisticated sensors on the headpiece, this groundbreaking system enables intuitive and independent control of one's own power wheelchair.
HASE BIKES
From hearing technologies to recumbent tricycles: communication and social participation for children and young people
05.09.2023
Everyone wants to communicate, understand and participate in social life. For children and young people with disabilities in particular, it is important to train their communication and social skills at an early stage using suitable assistive devices. Various companies offer solutions that enable support in communication and participation.
Pride Mobility
Pride Mobility introduces the Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel
04.09.2023
Pride Mobility has introduced the Baja® Raptor 2 4-Wheel, an innovative and stylish mobility device, expanding their range of products. It offers exceptional speed, comfort, and adaptivity with a focus on stability and safety, while also emphasizing user independence and choice in transportation.
KTU
AI-based system for monitoring arm movement after stroke
04.09.2023
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology have developed an AI-based system, including BiomacVR and BiomacEMG, aimed at aiding stroke victims' rehabilitation by monitoring arm movements through wearable technology. This technology benefits both patients and professionals, enabling precise exercise design and individualized treatment plans.
JOF
Self-determined through everyday life: assistive devices for children and young people
04.09.2023
Getting dressed, eating, getting around – what are normal everyday activities for many can sometimes be challenging for children and young people with disabilities and their guardians. Many companies therefore offer a wide variety of solutions to ensure that self-determination and well-being are accessible to all.
Sunrise Medical
Sunrise Medical Wins Four Mobility Product Awards
30.08.2023
Sunrise Medical's mobility products have won awards in the 2023 Mobility Product Award program by Mobility Management. The competition was fierce, showcasing innovation in Complex Rehab Technology and mobility industries.
Eat, grasp and communicate independently again: assistive device highlights at HIDREX
25.08.2023
Doing vital things that were previously only possible with the help of others independently again – this is made possible by the assisstive devices from HIDREX GmbH. With the Obi robot (an adaptive eating device), for example, people can eat independently. The carbon hand of HIDREX offers reliable and powerful grasping. The company also offers various solutions for aided communication.
REHACARE Shanghai
REHACARE CHINA: for visitors, country and progress
22.08.2023
Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has upgraded REHACARE SHANGHAI to REHACARE CHINA and moved the trade fair to Suzhou. The event will take place from 23 to 25 August 2023.We spoke to James Zhang, Senior Project Director of Messe Düsseldorf (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. about the background, the importance of the show for the country and the highlights of the event.
svitlanah
ReWalk Robotics acquires AlterG
21.08.2023
ReWalk Robotics acquires AlterG, a leading provider of Anti-Gravity systems for rehabilitation, to expand its portfolio in neurorehabilitation. The transaction strengthens ReWalk's market presence, accelerates its path to profitability and enables new product development.
Pride Mobility
Jazzy® EVO 613Li and Jazzy® EVO 614HD from Pride Mobility earn awards
21.08.2023
The two power wheelchairs Jazzy® EVO 613Li and Jazzy® EVO 614HD by Pride Mobility won 2023 Mobility Product Awards for their excellent performance. The Jazzy EVO 613Li offers a nimble ride with Mid-Wheel 6® tech, while the Jazzy EVO 614HD excels in strength and terrain versatility.
MEYRA GmbH
FUSE R: Active wheelchair with rigid frame by MEYRA® and Rainer Küschall
15.08.2023
In a groundbreaking partnership in wheelchair history, MEYRA® and Rainer Küschall, a Swiss wheelchair industry pioneer, have co-developed an active rigid frame wheelchair. The cutting-edge FUSE R marries Küschall's vast expertise with the pinnacle of MEYRA's recent research and development efforts.
CUREosity GmbH
Changes in the management of CUREosity
07.08.2023
Caesar van Heyningen will become the new CEO of CUREosity, a leader in the development of VR therapy systems for the medical field, on July 1, 2023. His predecessor, Thomas Saur, will assume the role of CVO. Together with the CTO, Stefan Arand, they form the company's new management team, which aims to establish and further expand the company internationally.
Messe Düsseldorf, Constanze Tillmann
ReWalk Robotics applauds Medicare Proposal for coverage of Personal Exoskeletons
07.08.2023
ReWalk Robotics supports CMS proposal to include personal exoskeletons in Medicare benefit category for braces, aiming to expedite coverage and improve access to innovative technologies for individuals with neurological conditions. Stakeholders have a 60-day comment period to provide feedback before the expected finalization of the rule in early November.
Chalmers University of Technology/Anna-Lena Lundqvist
Revolutionary surgical advancement enables full finger control in bionic hand
02.08.2023
A groundbreaking surgical and engineering advancement has allowed a person with an arm amputation to control each finger of a bionic hand as if it were their own. By reconfiguring the residual limb and integrating sensors and a skeletal implant, the prosthesis can now be controlled using A.I. algorithms and nerve rewiring, offering new possibilities for amputees.
munevo GmbH
National Seating & Mobility becomes the first national provider in the US to supply munevo DRIVE technology
31.07.2023
National Seating & Mobility (NSM), the largest provider of mobility solutions in North America, has partnered with munevo, Inc. to introduce the munevo DRIVE smart glass alternative drive control for power wheelchairs in the U.S., providing greater independence and freedom for power chair users through innovative technology.
Pride Mobility
Power lift chairs are for everyone
24.07.2023
Power lift chairs from Pride Mobility offer increased mobility support at home with stylish and compact designs. They provide powerful lift functions, enhanced comfort, and luxury features like heated seats and massage functions, making them a game-changer for people with mobility disabilities or those recovering from injuries.
Cargo meets Gravel: the new GRAVIT DUST from HASE BIKES
19.07.2023
The new GRAVIT DUST bike can be used both as a cargo bike and as a gravel bike. It offers a light and agile ride, while still being able to carry an impressive payload of up to 200 kilograms.
PARAVAN
Roland and Luca Arnold in the PARAVAN Mercedes-GT3 #65 at the GTC Race
28.06.2023
Roland and Luca Arnold are driving the PARAVAN Mercedes-GT3 #65 together in the GTC Race and are working on the development of new input devices for disability mobility and automated driving. Their goal is to contribute to the future of disability mobility and to develop innovative solutions.
envato/StudioVK
Digitization and robotics in the assistive technology industry
26.06.2023
The topics of digitization and robotics are becoming increasingly tangible for us and, in many cases, they enrich our lives. They also offer a great support for people with disabilities. Speech computers can give people without the ability to speak a voice again, apps improve the effectiveness of hearing aids and care robots are already helping within retirement and nursing homes.
Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann
Digitalization and robotics: REHACARE has a finger on the pulse
26.06.2023
As a trade fair for rehabilitation and care, REHACARE has been a meeting place for people who work in this specialist field or individuals who themselves have a disability and their relatives for over 40 years. Each come to discover the latest developments and opportunities, for example in the field of aids, training and careers, therapy or travel/leisure.
REHACARE China
REHACARE SHANGHAI has been upgraded to REHACARE CHINA
26.06.2023
REHACARE SHANGHAI will be upgraded to REHACARE CHINA and relocated to Suzhou, offering a platform for communication and cooperation among rehabilitation companies, medical institutions, and service organizations.
cait00sith/envatoelements
Medical Equipment Group (HQIB) acquires DERON
19.06.2023
MEG Medical Equipment GmbH ("Medical Equipment Group"), parent company of Funke Medical GmbH ("Funke Medical"), acquires 100% of the shares of Deron B.V., Lima B.V. and Connect Foam Care B.V. (collectively "DERON"). The acquisition is supported by Harald Quandt Industriebeteiligungen GmbH ("HQIB"), majority shareholder of Medical Equipment Group.
Helmut Lunghammer – TU Graz
Smart artificial skin in application check stage
19.06.2023
The smart skin developed by Anna Maria Coclite has many potential applications – from robotics and cosmetic surgery to prosthetics. With an ERC Proof of Concept Grant, the researcher is now exploring its possible practical applications.
PARAVAN
PARAVAN presents 360-degree approach with vehicle premiere and innovative mobility solutions
14.06.2023
PARAVAN GmbH offers holistic solutions for the mobility of people with disabilities, including vehicle conversions, electric wheelchairs and individual adaptations. Their 360-degree approach enables customers to be independent and mobile.
Fraunhofer IBMT
Human-machine interface stops muscle tremors
12.06.2023
Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT and their collaborative partners have developed a technology platform that uses biocompatible electrodes and controllers to help people with muscle tremors reduce tremors and may also help people with spinal cord injuries.
Ottobock
"Superhero suit" gives hope to people with MS
07.06.2023
The neuromodulation suit "Exopulse Mollii Suit" helps people with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, stroke and other neurological disorders that cause similar symptoms. 58 electrodes stimulate individually affected muscle groups. This activates the muscles and reduces spasticity, which provides a reduction in pain.
PARAVAN
Ingrid Höhling is relaxed and safely mobile again thanks to Space Drive
01.06.2023
The Space Drive driving and steering system from PARAVAN enables Ingrid Höhling, wo has Postpolio, to steer her new VW Caddy 5 with her left foot without much effort and without tiring.
Emily Sandgren
Enjoying music with hearing aids
30.05.2023
For decades, hearing aids have been focused on improving communication by separating speech from background noise. While the technology has made strides in terms of speech, it is still subpar when it comes to music.
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech
A low-cost robotic arm as an alternative to conventional prostheses
30.05.2023
ARM2u is a team of 15 students from BarcelonaTech, developing a customizable robotic arm prosthesis controlled by the user's muscle contractions, with plans to compete in the Cybathlon 2024 event. Their aim is to market a low-cost prosthesis made with 3D printing technology.
Sunrise Medical
Travel lighter with QUICKIE's lightest folding power wheelchair: Q50 R Carbon
24.05.2023
Sunrise Medical Group announces the launch of the QUICKIE Q50 R Carbon – QUICKIE`s lightest-ever folding power wheelchair with a transport weight of only 14.5 kg*. The folding Q50 R Carbon is easy to transport, store and manoeuvre, providing the perfect solution for people who want to remain active and independent without the worry of heavy and bulky equipment.
POSTECH
Electronic skin as flexible as crocodile skin
22.05.2023
The development of electronic skin with multiple senses is essential for various fields, including rehabilitation, healthcare, prosthetic limbs, and robotics. One of the key components of this technology is stretchable pressure sensors, which can detect various types of touch and pressure.
Oana Grau
Patent for new high-tech glasses technology of the start up .lumen
15.05.2023
The technology of "the glasses that replace the guide dog" has been patented in the USA and will soon be patented in the European Union. The technology provides a new level of mobility and self-determination for people with blindness and visual impairments, replicating the capabilities of a guide dog through cameras, computer chips, haptic signals, and sounds.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Ottobock acquires patient care company Brillinger
08.05.2023
The acquisition of the patient care provider from the German state of Baden-Württemberg expands Ottobock's care network across Germany. The takeover allows Ottobock to persistently continue its growth strategy.
Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann
REHACARE: Networking and collaboration with heart and soul
03.05.2023
A visit to REHACARE is nothing like other traditional business settings. You quickly realize that this venue makes room for heartfelt and inspirational stories. One reason for this is the end users, who rely on many products as indispensable resources to master their daily lives. Another reason is business owners who forge valuable contacts with other industry participants at the trade fair.
F. Sodermanns Automobile GmbH
Assistive technology industry: working together for more mobility
26.04.2023
Dressing and undressing, getting in and out of a car or bus, reaching for and picking up objects – for people with mobility impairments, even everyday tasks like these can become a challenge and create a barrier. Many assistive technology companies join forces to provide better assistance for people with disabilities. Several REHACARE exhibitors are among this dedicated group of collaborators.
Ottobock
Easier through everyday life – with the new Ottobock Quickchange Adapter
19.04.2023
The company Ottobock has launched the Quickchange Adapter 4R11, which allows amputees to independently detach and reattach their prosthetic components from the prosthetic socket. The product was developed in close cooperation with users.
ergoflix
Folding electric wheelchairs by ergoflix: adding more joy to life with the right mobility solution
18.04.2023
Autonomy instead of dependency, social inclusion instead of social isolation – that's the motto of ergoflix. Leveraging high levels of motivation and conviction, the medical equipment manufacturer is committed to making it easier to access smart and aesthetic mobility equipment. The company developed a series of foldable electric wheelchair models that promote an active and flexible lifestyle.
PARAVAN
Driving license with a restricted field of vision – thanks to the latest camera technology
17.04.2023
Katja, who has a restricted field after a riding accident, was able – thanks to innovative camera technology and environment recognition in the car – to successfully view her driving test at the PARAVAN driving school in the Aichelau mobility park. In her future car, too, a monitor with the necessary environment recognition will be installed on the center console.
THERA-Trainer
THERA-Trainer is expanding its portfolio with a unique training device for cognitive-motor training
13.04.2023
The new THERA-Trainer senso is a highly efficient training device for improving mental and physical performance and reducing the risk of falls. Numerous scientifically validated training programs are available for selection. Intelligent algorithms automatically adapt the games to the individual performance capacity.
Karma Medical Products Co., LTD.
Flexx Adapt won the Golden Award of Physical Therapists' Choice of 2023
11.04.2023
The Golden Award of Physical Therapists' Choice of 2023 was given to KARMA Medical's pediatric positioning wheelchair called Flexx Adapt. The adaptive seating system allows a wide range of accessory options for ultimate personalization.
Funke Medical GmbH
Funke Medical GmbH expands product range with an arthrodesis seat cushion
11.04.2023
With the new product ARTHROSEAT©, Funke Medical adds an orthopedic seating system to its portfolio. This arthrodesis seat cushion relieves hip and knee joints when sitting, alleviates pain and corrects incorrect posture.
Ottobock
Hard work made easy: exoskeletons for industry and logistics
05.04.2023
The company Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA continues its focus on ergonomic workplaces. Highlights include the latest Ottobock BackX and Ottobock Shoulder exoskeletons, which support people in industries such as logistics, retail, automotive and aviation.
Marco Binelli / ETH Zurich
3D-printed insoles measure sole pressure directly in the shoe
03.04.2023
Researchers from ETH Zurich, Empa and EPFL used 3D printing to produce a customised insole with integrated pressure sensors that can measure the pressure on the sole of the foot directly in the shoe during various activities.
Andrew Dunne / University of Bath
Assistive tech project to enhance prosthetic sockets and speed-up rehabilitation for amputees
27.03.2023
With a new technique for people who need prostheses after amputations, the University of Bath is developing a technology that allows patients and their families to photograph the remaining stump. The aim is to replicate the results clinicians in specialist clinics can achieve with high-end 3D scanners, but remotely and at a fraction of the cost.
MEYRA GmbH
MEYRA presents the world's first folding wheelchair NANO S
22.03.2023
The company MEYRA has produced the first folding wheelchair named NANO S. It is a folding wheelchair with open frame and removable leg supports, which stands out with its lightness and stability.
Ottobock
Ottobock: a new lease of life with an app-controlled leg orthosis
15.03.2023
Denise was 29 years old when she underwent disc surgery – a seemingly harmless procedure. However, the surgery didn't go as smoothly as planned and when she woke up from anaesthesia, she could no longer feel her right thigh. The diagnosis: incomplete paraplegia. The world's first smart leg orthosis, the C-Brace® has given the mother of two new mobility and improved her quality of life.
ReWalk Robotics Ltd.
ReWalk exoskeleton receives FDA clearance for stairs and curbs
13.03.2023
ReWalk, a leading provider of innovative technologies that enable mobility and wellness in rehabilitation and daily life for individuals with neurological conditions, announced that its innovative ReWalk Personal Exoskeleton technology has received clearance from the FDA for use on stairs and curbs in the US, making it the only personal exoskeleton to receive FDA clearance for this indication.
oneinchpunchphotos
Lower fracture risk for older wheelchair users
13.03.2023
Being a frail elderly person and using a wheelchair involves a substantially reduced risk of fractures, a University of Gothenburg study shows. More prescriptions for wheelchairs may result.
DC_Studio
Neural prosthesis uses brain activity to decode speech
06.03.2023
Researchers from HSE University and the Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry have developed a machine learning model that can predict the word about to be uttered by a subject based on their neural activity recorded with a small set of minimally invasive electrodes.
rahm Zentrum für Gesundheit GmbH
3D printing in orthopedics
03.03.2023
3D printing has become an indispensable tool in many areas, including the assistive technology industry and patient care. Ever-better printers and customization options for articulated support splints or prosthetic devices benefit both care providers and users.
Ottobock
Ottobock unveils the patient care of the future
22.02.2023
On 20 February, the global healthtech company Ottobock opened the doors to its most state-of-the-art and future-oriented clinic to date. Located in the newly developed Sartorius Quarter in the German city of Göttingen, the clinic will provide care for patients across the country and worldwide.
envato/LightFieldStudios
Dementia: playfully maintaining mental strength
13.02.2023
Dementia is a progressive disease and ultimately cannot be cured by any therapy. Although there are medicinal approaches that are supposed to keep brain performance, no active substance has yet been found that would revolutionize the therapy. It is therefore all the more important to preserve the patients' functional abilities for as long as possible after diagnosis.
Ottobock
Ottobock and MEDIAN combine high-tech prosthetics with specialised treatment for transfemoral amputees
06.02.2023
Following the positive vote of the ethics committee of the State Medical Association of Hesse, a multi-centre study launched in January 2023 in several MEDIAN hospitals, in which amputees receive a special prosthesis from Ottobock. The research project is intended to show how modern rehabilitation with longer stays and optimal prosthetics can improve the treatment situation for amputees in Germany
icho systems GmbH
ichó: The smart therapy ball for home use
16.12.2022
Building communication, strengthening skills, and responding to individual needs – that is the goal of icho systems GmbH. To realize their vision, the team has developed the ichó therapy ball. It brings therapeutic measures and individual support to people's homes and can be used to promote cognition and motor activity.
THERA-Trainer by medica Medizintechnik GmbH
THERA-Trainer: Complete solution for gait rehabilitation
24.11.2022
The goal of THERA-Trainer by medica Medizintechnik GmbH is to make it easy for people with restricted mobility to regain their lost mobility. That is why the family company has designed professional therapeutic products and robotic assisted complete solutions for all phases of lower extremity rehabilitation.
Bioservo Technologies AB
Carbonhand 2.0 approved as a medical device according to the EU-MDR
16.11.2022
The grip-strengthening glove Carbonhand® from Bioservo is now classified and approved as a medical device under the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR). The grip strengthening glove gives people with limited hand function additional strength and endurance in their grip and is equipped with sensors at the fingertips.
Andrea Mocellin
Accessible traveling: foldable wheelchair by Revolve Mobility
18.10.2022
How can traveling become more accessible and more self-determined for wheelchair users – especially when traveling by plane or taking a cab? This is the question Andrea Mocellin wanted to address when he started inventing Revolve Air. His solution: a wheelchair with foldable wheels and a foldable frame.
Sunrise Medical
Sunrise Medical launches the QUICKIE ACCESS, a knee-pivot manual wheelchair
17.10.2022
The company Sunrise Medical has announced the launch of the QUICKIE ACCESS. This is a manual wheelchair with knee swivel for independent locomotion with the benefits of tilt and recline.
Phibox
Getting fit is child’s play: Gamification in rehabilitation and physiotherapy
12.10.2022
More and more people love to play games – and do so on a regular basis by using a video game console or their cell phones. An opinion poll by the GfK research institute from last year shows that games cast a big spell on all age groups. It’s no surprise that a growing number of rehabilitation and physiotherapy concepts include game design elements to pursue recovery goals.
DigiRehab GmbH
Quo vadis, digitalization in rehabilitation and physiotherapy?
12.10.2022
Usability, autonomy, modernity – that's what digital components should add to rehabilitation and physiotherapy. This benefits both patients and professionals according to manufacturers of new technologies and software. Conversations with experts about the current situation and the future reveal how the industry is dynamic and ever evolving.
Genny Mobility
Genny’s self-balancing and two wheeled wheelchair gets an upgrade – revealed at REHACARE 2022
01.09.2022
Inspired by the self-balancing Segway, Genny Mobility developed a wheelchair equivalent. What started as a newbie on the mobility aids market, now is ready for its third generation. The new wheelchair will be revealed in two weeks at this year’s REHACARE. Francesca Belotti allows for a little glimpse into what we can expect.
Shower stools, chairs and folding seats from Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare
29.08.2022
Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare offers a wide range of shower stools, chairs and folding seats. Shower chairs are all equipped with backrests and usually with armrests. Another space-saving shower companion can be mounted on the wall and easily fold up and down. In this way, the company wants to provide comfort and stability.
New LEPUS E from HASE BIKES: Comfort Trike with Electric Start Assist
17.08.2022
The LEPUS E from HASE BIKES is ideal for people with leg-strength issues. It features a start-assist function, that gets the wheels rolling without pedaling and accelerates the trike to 6 km/h (4 mph). Besides this start assist with motor power it offers a delta trike with full suspension and accessories for every need and purpose.
QUICKIE and ZIPPIE are Mobility Product Award 2022 Winners
01.08.2022
The QUICKIE Nitrum Hybrid & Actice Rigid lightweight wheelchair and ZIPPIE Q300 M Mini have won Mobility Product Awards 2022. The Mobility Product Award program honors outstanding product and technology developments by manufacturers of complex rehab technology and mobility/accessibility products.
Ekso Bionics Europe GmbH
Exoskeletons in rehabilitation
28.07.2022
A stroke or an accident are life-changing events since many survivors experience limitations of mobility. Not all patients regain full mobility with subsequent rehabilitation. Some physical restrictions may persist, making adaptive equipment and assistive technologies necessary. Exoskeleton use in rehabilitation shows promise for better treatment results.
Ottobock
Preventing work-related injuries: exoskeletons curb repetitive stress injuries
28.07.2022
Lifting boxes above head height, repositioning a bedridden patient, or assembling heavy components in production - many work-related activities go along with monotonous postures or repetitive lifting. Exoskeletons can reduce strain and prevent long-term musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses.
Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann
Digital assistive technologies: Modern tools to make life more accessible
13.07.2022
People with disabilities often rely on assistance in different ways. Whether it's speech computers, screen readers, i.e. software that vocalizes on-screen texts, or special power wheelchairs – what all assistance has in common here is that it works thanks to digital components.
Ottobock
Ottobock presents NeuroMobility solutions at REHACARE 2022
11.07.2022
The integrated treatment approach: This year, Ottobock comes to the fair with new, holistic approaches and technologies. Freedom of movement, quality of life and independence are the focus.
PARAVAN GmbH
The PARAVAN PR 30 gets an update
29.06.2022
There is a new model of the PARAVAN wheelchair all-rounder, the PARAVAN PR 30/II, which is equipped with numerous additional medical functions. In addition, the PARAVAN PR 30/II can be individually adapted to the respective symptoms.
Ornamin
Small things that have big benefits: daily living aids help make everyday life easier
27.06.2022
Opening a jar or getting on a bike to ride to the store: small things that many of us around the world do every day and tend to take for granted. But these activities are not a matter of course for everyone. Daily living aids can make a big difference to people with disabilities in making their lives easier.
Ribcap
Ribcap: A weighted blanket to increase sleep and inclusion
25.05.2022
A good night sleep contributes to a healthy life and a good mood. That is why equipment supporting and improving sleep quality is on the rise. Ribcap now developed a high-quality weighted blanket to increase not only sleep quality but also inclusion. The company targets an underrecognized group: people with different conditions that decrease their sleep quality.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Scientific progress: the Össur and Ottobock Research Trust Fund
18.05.2022
The "Össur and Ottobock Research Trust Fund" offers to support research projects that analyze the applicability of human-machine interfaces for the benefit of prosthesis users and thus further advance research in prosthetics.
davidpereiras
Auxiliary means industry: sustainable production, work and life
30.04.2022
The term "sustainability" has been on everyone's lips for some years now. Supermarkets advertise sustainable products, exchange platforms emphasize the sustainability of second-hand clothing, and disposable diapers are frowned upon by many young parents because of the mountains of trash they generate. But what is the actual situation in the medical and auxiliary means industry?
twinsterphoto
Start-ups in the auxiliary aids industry
28.04.2022
Anyone visiting REHACARE on site will notice numerous small stands in addition to the larger stands of many established companies. Here you can often find new start-ups that want to expand the assistive technology sector with a fresh idea.
Dot Incorporation
People with vision impairments: The Dot Pad bridges the information gap
21.04.2022
The new Dot Pad is not only smaller and lighter, but also much cheaper than conventional tactile displays – making them more affordable and accessible for people with vision impairments. Dot Inc makes the online world of images more accessible and aims to improve other areas as well. In our interview the Senior Manager Mergel Takam talks about the advantages and technology behind the Dot Pad.
University of Michigan/Robotics Institute
Exoskeletons: Achieving comfort in less than two minutes
04.04.2022
Researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Stuttgart developed a method by which users can adjust exoskeletons themselves.
AMF-Bruns Forschungs- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
Research and development: crash tests ensure safe design standards
17.03.2022
When it comes to mobility, safety requirements take top priority. To drive research and development in this specific area, the company newly founded a research and development company, which operates separately from the successful car conversion entity. Its competence center for mobile safety opened its doors in 2021 in Apen, Germany.
PantherMedia/bitpics
Accessible bathrooms: fostering and maintaining greater autonomy and independence
28.02.2022
For most people, the bathroom is their happy place and sanctuary – which is why it is important to remove any barriers for safety, ease, and comfort. Unfortunately, this is not always a given when it comes to people with disabilities. Unless you live in a new building, you may have to remodel bathrooms and toilet rooms to accommodate your special needs.
Benoit Systemes
Mobile, more mobile, Mobili Kit: For more mobility into the narrowest corner
22.02.2022
When mobility declines, the step up to a wheelchair can be very costly, both emotionally and organizationally. Benoit Systemes has found a solution here: With the Mobili Kit, you can still make a U-turn in even the smallest hallway – and in your own favorite chair. Tanya Veraksa told us about the advantages of the Mobili Kit and the story behind Benoit Systemes.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
Special wheelchairs for children expand the Ottobock portfolio
02.02.2022
Ottobock, the global healthtech company, acquired the Dutch company Veldink4kids, a specialist in children's wheelchairs, in January 2022. With this targeted addition to the portfolio in the area of NeuroMobility, Ottobock will be able to provide children and young people with holistic mobility solutions in the future.
Ottobock SE & Co. KGaA
New product development takes an interdisciplinary and multifaceted approach
24.01.2022
Business stagnation is never a good thing. It’s the reason assistive technology manufacturers continuously come up with innovative equipment and improve on their existing products. REHACARE.com shows the influence users have on the assistive technology industry and explains the research and development processes in manufacturing companies.
PantherMedia/vitaliy_sokol
The future of prosthetics is here thanks to Artificial Intelligence and bionic feedback
31.08.2021
There are many exciting advances in the field of prosthetics. REHACARE.com asked prosthetic manufacturers and experts about the latest medical and technical research in laboratories and discovered how prostheses quite literally learn from the user.
Sheffield Hallam University
Advanced neck support technology transforms lives of ALS patients
07.04.2021
A revolutionary neck collar designed to ease pain and make everyday tasks such as eating and communicating much easier for patients living with motor neurone disease (ALS) is now available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
PantherMedia/chagpg
Development, testing, improvements: making automobility more inclusive and safer
24.01.2021
Many of the latest trends and developments in the assistive technology realm have started and evolved through the automotive industry. Hardly any other sector features research and development departments as big and state-of-the-art as this segment. Whether it’s an in-house test center or a visionary campus – people are hard at work to shape the future of automobility.
Jonne Renvall/Tampere University
Exoskeletons can reduce strain also in health care
23.11.2020
Wearable exoskeletons are increasingly being used in physically demanding jobs to support good ergonomics and augment muscular strength. In ground-breaking studies led by researchers at Tampere University and LUT University in Finland, exoskeleton vests were worn by nurses to discover how the new technology would suit the special requirements of patient care.
Andi Weiland | Gesellschaftsbilder.de
Why inclusion is more important than ever amid the coronavirus crisis
25.06.2020
How are families of children with disabilities coping during the coronavirus crisis? A recent online survey asked this question, prompting over 1,600 participants to respond in just two weeks. What do the survey results reveal about the current state of society in terms of social participation and inclusion? We asked Dorothea Kugelmeier and Dr. Raimund Schmolze-Krahn, who launched the study.
Prosthetic hands from VINCENT Systems: A lightweight featuring high-tech quality and a sense of touch
01.06.2018
The Karlsruhe-based VINCENT Systems Company develops prosthetic hands that raise the bar for prosthetics. This prosthetic device is light-weight, based on the anatomical features of a natural hand and offers a wide variety of functions as well as an artificial sense of touch.