BrianBeardsley InterimCEO eSightEyewear
arefullyexamineyourhand,thefourfingers,and
Conethumb.Haveyouevergivenathoughtasto howmuchyouuseyourthumbonaregularbasis? Well,youjustusedittoholdthismagazineorscroll throughoneifyou'reonthedigitalversion.
So,fromgrasping,scrolling,flipping,climbing,eating,and evencreatingnewtools,thumbshavehelpedhumansopen anewworldofadeptness.
Theyhavenotonlyassistedhumansincarryingoutdaily tasksbutchangedtheworldthroughtechnologicalmiracles atthetipofyourthumb.Itisinterestingtomethatthemost advancedtechnologythathaseverexistedonthisplanetis thatoftheneuro-muscularanatomy—humanhand,which initselfisa ‘technology by design’.
Dramatically,thistechnologybydesignhashelpeddevelop greaterandmoreefficienttechnologiestoassisthumansin livinghealthy,independent,productive,anddignifiedlives. Bringingtothespotlight,thepeoplewithdisabilitiesand mentalhealthconditions,aswellasolderpeopleoreven normalhumanswithpartialimpairment,needsuch
technicalassistancetoparticipateineducation,thelabor market,andliveaciviclife.
Likethethumb,theseassistivetechnologieshaveplayeda crucialroleinspecially-abledpeople'slivesforperforming tasksthatwouldhaveotherwisebeenimpossibleordifficult toperform.Theyarenotonlyintheformofequipment,but therecentdevelopmentindigitalizationhasmadeit commonformainstreamsoftwareandhardwaretoinclude designsandfeaturesthatwillhelpassisttheminevery aspectoflife.
Overtheyears,manyorganizationshavetirelesslyensured thatthebenefitsoftechnologyareaccessibletousersofall kinds.Theyhavenotonlyassistedmedicalusersintheir everydaytasksbuthavetakenaleapfurtherinhelpingthem throughtheirmedicalconditions.Bymakingtechnology accessibleandassistive,technopreneurshavebroughtthem tothemainstreamandfurthertheactofinclusivenessin society
Inordertohighlightorganizationsthataremaking technologynotonlyaccessiblebutassistivetothelarger
sectionofsociety,weat Insights Care launchedourlatest edition,10MostInnovativeAssistiveTechnology Companiesin2022.
Inordertoreadtheinsightfulstories,weurgeyouto meticulouslygothroughtheprofiles.
Whileflippingthroughthepages,glanceatthearticles writtenbyourin-houseeditorialteamandgainperspective aboutthecurrentassistivetechnologicaltrends.
Delveintoenjoyaninspiringread!
-ShrutikaKhedekar
Senior Editor
Anish Miller Visualiser David King Mrunalinee Deshmukh
Trishika, Shrutika
Co-designer Paul Belin
Art & Picture Editor Rohil Shinganapurkar
Amy Jones
Marketing Manager John Smith
Business Development Executives
Business Development Manager Sales Executives Kelli, Bill, Anna
Sarah Wilson, John Smith, Alex Vincent
Technical Head Jacob Smile
Assistant Technical Head Amar Sawant
Technical Consultants David, Robert
Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Renuka, Atul
SME-SMO Executives
Gemson
Research Analyst Eric Smith
Circulation Manager Tanaji Fartade
BlueSkyDesigns blueskydesigns.us
Blatchfordisamulti-awardwinningmanufacturerofsomeof theworld’smostadvancedprosthetictechnology,bespoke seatingsolutionsandorthoticdevices.
BlueSkyDesignLandscapingCompanyspecializesincreating outdoorenvironmentsthatsetthemoodandtoneforany lifestyle.
BrailleInstitute brailleinstitute.org
esightEyewear esighteyewear.com
BrailleInstituteofAmericaprovides100%FREEservices forpeopleofallageswhoareexperiencingvisionloss. Throughitsindividualandsmallgroupsprograms,students andpatronslearnnewwaystodothethingstheylove.
eSightmovesseamlesslywithwearersthroughdailylife offeringthebestvisualacuitywhethersittingreading, commutingtowork,orexploringanewplace.
EsperBionicsisacompanythatcreateshuman improvementtechnology,suchasaself-learningrobotic prosthesisforpatientswithupper-limbabnormalities.
PentaProsthetics pentaprosthetics.org
Raslabs
EcosystemsworksonanAItechnologythatmakesphysical constraintsliketimeandspacecancelout.Itspecifically focusesonprovidingcaresolutionsinmusculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Pentacollectsusedprosthesestobringhighquality,low costprostheticcaretoamputeesallovertheworld.
Inspiredbyourhumanfingertipswhichprovideunmatched dexterity,Raslabshassetouttoreducethisgapbyadding tactilesensingsimilartothesensinginourfingertipsto enableroboticmanipulationofmoredelicateitems.
ReWalkRobotics rewalk.com
SunriseMedical
ReWalkisacommercialbionicwalkingassistancesystem thatusespoweredlegattachmentstoenableparaplegicsto standupright,walkandclimbstairs.
SunriseMedicalisaworldleaderinthedevelopment, design,manufacture,anddistributionofmanualand poweredwheelchairs,mobilityscooters,andbothstandard andmade-to-orderseatingandpositioningsystems.
Blatchford blatchford.co.uk PaulRoberts CEO PeterMindnich President PeterNVicars CEOKathleenO’Donnell VPMarketingandNew BusinessDevelopment
ThomasBabacan CEOEsperBionics esperbionics.com
DimaGazda CEOandFounder
Thedevicecanbe usedmomentarilywhen navigatingforreadingastreet signorpricetagor continuouslyforcomputer work,readingbooks,or enjoyingaliveevent.
Formanypeople,themostcherishedsensoryorgans aretheireyes.Muchoftheinformationinour surroundingsisexplicitlyvisual.Livingwithvisual impairmentbringsaboutchallengesmostofusnever consider
Forindividualslivingwithcentralvisionloss,recognizing faces,beingabletoreadorseeascreenisoftennot possible.Manyunintendedinjuries,afeelingofloneliness anddepressionareassociatedwithvisionloss.Performing activitiesofdailyliving,requirestheadoptionoftools specificallydesignedforlifewithoutclarityofcentral vision.
eSightEyewearhasspentalmosttwodecadesinvesting andresearchingsolutionsforindividualslivingwithcentral visionlosstoenhanceexistingvisualfunctionandreestablishingfunctionalvisionforusers.
Today,eSightprovidesawearabledevicethatprovidesan unprecedentedimprovementinseveralvisualperformance measures.Theorganizationhashelpedremovethe traditionalbarriersandfacilitatesadvancementforits wearersinalllevelsofeducation,professionalgoals,andto participateinsocietymoreindependently.
InspiredbythisvisionofeSightEyewear,weatInsights CaregotanopportunitytospeakwithBrianBeardsley, InterimCEO.Belowiswhathetalksaboutthecompany
eSighteyewearwasfoundedbyaconcernedbrotheroftwo sistersafflictedbyStargardtdisease.Itoriginallyfocusedon findingsolutionstoStargardtdisease,thejuvenileformof Age-relatedMacularDegeneration(AMD)butits technologycanbeusedforavarietyofretinadiseases impactingcentralvisualacuity
Untilacureisfound,eSightcreatesmedicaltechnologyto assistusers,helpingthemexperiencefunctionalvisionwith avisualacuityupto20/20,allowingthemtoread,see faces,enjoyliveevents,orpursuehobbiesoncemore. eSight4isthemostadvancedassistivedevicethat facilitatesthebestvisualacuity,unmatchedmobility,alldaycomfort,andeaseofusetoallowtheusertodomore.
eSightispassionateaboutenhancingthevisionof individualswithcentralvisionloss.Theproductisaimedat peoplelivingwithcentralvisionlossof20/80ormoredue
toAMDandotherpathologieswhodesireindependence, mobility,andtheopportunitytopursueinterestsatwork, school,orleisure.
eSightbelievesthatcentralvisionlossshouldnotprevent individualsfromseeingnewpossibilities.Theywantto bringindependence,improvedqualityoflife,andenhanced visiontoallthosethathavebeenimpactedbycentralvision loss.However,themissiondoesnotendpurelywithvision.
Byenhancingpatients'functionalvision,improvingtheir qualityoflife,andabilitytoperformtasksofdailyliving, eSighthopestopositivelyimpactthephysicalandmental healthofusersandperhapsreduceassociatedindirectcosts ofvisionloss.
ComprehensiveLeadership BrianBeardsleydeliversabroadbaseofexperiencetohis leadershiproleateSight.AftercompletinghisUSAirForce service,Brianleveragedhisskillsandexperiencetodrive efficiencies,performanceimprovement,innovation,and capitalprojectmanagementforleadinghealthcare organizationsinvariousrolesofincreasingresponsibilities. Brian'scontributionsencapsulatedbothnationalandglobal accountabilities.
Brian'sdesiretocontinuetogrowhisleadershipskills broughthimtoTeleflexIncorporated,whereheincreased
Aligningtechnologywith unmetmedicalneeds facilitatestheaccelerationof healthcaresolutionstobring benefittopatientsfaster,safer, andwithgreaterefficacy.
hisscopeofresponsibilitiesdirectinglargeteamswithinthe productionarea.Briancontinuedtobroadenhisexpertise byaddingmarketingtohisresumeastheProductManager forSurgicalProductsatTeleflex.
WithBrian'sstronganalyticalabilities,projectmanagement skills,supplychainexperience,marketinginsights,and
Manyofitsusers canliveindependently, read,recognizefaces,pursue hobbies,andmaintaina functionalvisionforactivities ofdailyliving,including employment.
provenleadershipdemonstrated,hetransitionedtoGentex asDirectorofBusinessDevelopmentin2016.
BriandiscoveredeSightthroughhiseffortstoidentify healthcaretechnologiesthatfittheGentexbusiness developmentstrategy.ThealignmentofbotheSightand Gentexwasquicklyapparent.Brianwasintimately involvedinnegotiatingthetwoenterprise'scollaboration, announcedinJanuary2022attheConsumerElectronics ShowinLasVegas.
AsofMarch2022,BrianhasassumedtheChiefExecutive OfficerroleateSight.TheeSightstrategycontinuestoshift towardsarobusthealthcareprofessionalrecommendation model.Brian'sexperienceanddemonstratedskillsarea naturalfittoleadeSightintoitsnextchapterofcorporate growthandevolution.
Unlikemanyassistivedevicetechnologiesthatallow peopletoperformsedentarytasks,eSightprioritizesthe integrationofmobilityandeaseofuseasthedesign objective.eSighthousesahigh-speed,high-definition
camerathatcaptureseverythingthewearerislookingat. Advanced,clinicallyvalidatedalgorithmsoptimizeand enhancethefootage,whichisthenpresentedontwonear to-eyescreensinreal-timewithstunningclarity
Thebuilt-intrackpadallowstheusertorefinetheimage furtherthroughafullsuiteofzoom,contrast,andfocus controls.Asacompletelymobiledevice,itseyeweardoes notobstructthenaturalperipheralvisionofthewearer
Assuch, eSight4 doesnotnegativelyimpactmobilityor orientation.Thedevicecanbeusedmomentarilywhen navigatingforreadingastreetsignorpricetag,or continuouslyforcomputerwork,readingbooks,or enjoyingaliveevent.
eSightdeliversthetechnologythroughpartnershipswith healthcareprofessionals.WhenpartnerHCPsidentify patientsthatmaybenefitfromeSight,theycanreferthe patienttotheeSightTelehealthprogram.
eSightwillthenshipadevicetothepotentialuser,setupa coachingsessiontohelptheusergetfamiliarwiththe device,andsuggesttasksthatfittheiractivitiesofdaily living,allowingthepotentialusertoevaluatethedeviceto ensurethedevicedeliversabenefit.Thetrialperiodis usuallyoneweek,butthevision'simpactisalmost immediate.
Whenadvisingthebuddingentrepreneurs,Brianstatesthat “eSight was founded by one passionately motivated person driven to find a resolution to his sisters’ visual impairment.
That is how it starts. If you have the desire, the passion, and the motivation to find solutions to unmet needs, do not let challenges stand in the way of your innovation. Take one step at a time and engage with others that align with your cause.”
Whentalkingabouttheroadmapahead,Brianbelievesthat itiscrucialtotakeintoconsiderationtheadvancementin technology.Itcreatesendlesspossibilitiestosolve healthcarechallenges.Aligningtechnologywithunmet medicalneedsfacilitatestheaccelerationofhealthcare solutionstobringbenefittopatientsfaster,safer,andwith greaterefficacy.Hence,itissymbiotic.
HefurtherstatesthateSightisfocusedonraisingawareness ofitstechnologyamongtheophthalmologycommunitythat treatsAMDpatients.Bycreatingpartnershipsbetween cliniciansandeSightTelehealth,itplanstoimprovethe qualityoflifeofAMDpatientsbyenhancingfunctional visionwithwearabletechnologywhiletheclinicianstreat theunderlyingdiseasethatiscausingthedeclineinvision.
Theorganizationisfocusedonpatientswithvisualacuityof 20/80to20/400.Manyofitsusersinthisgroupcanlive independently,read,recognizefaces,pursuehobbies,and maintainafunctionalvisionforactivitiesofdailyliving, includingemployment.
Here are some of the testimonials of the user of eSight eyewear.
“It’sgivenmethechancetoseetheworldalloveragain.I didn'trealizehowmuchIlost.”-Jaclyn(wearersince 2021)
“eSighthasgivenmeasenseofindependencethatIdon’t needtorelyonanyonewhenIhavethedevicewithme”Tony(wearersince2018)
“Tobeabletobeinthewinner'scircleandhavehundreds andhundredsofpeopleapplaudingyou,butseeingthem andnotjusthearingthem,thatjustmadetheexperiencefar greaterthanwhatanybodycouldimagine.”-Sandra-Lynn (SpecialOlympicsequestrian)
Thetrialperiod isoneweek,butthe impactonthevisionis almostimmediate.
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Progressivelowvision,blindness,andlow sightednessarediagnosesthatpetrifymanyas peopledonotfearthelossofvisionbutrathertheir independence.
Butitdoesn'thavetobethatway BrailleInstitutehas workedtoempowerpeoplewholivewithvisionlossand helpthembecomeindependentwhilemaximizingtheir remainingvision.Itoffersawell-equippedcenterwith smartphones,computers,andvoice-activateddevicesto allowindividualstopracticeandreceivehands-ontraining.
UndertheastoundingleadershipofitsPresident,Peter Mindnich,theorganizationhasexpandeditsabilityto serveindividualswellbeyondthefourwallsofitsvarious centersandreachthoseinneedacrosstheU.S.andthe world.
Inaninterviewwith Insights Care,Peterelaboratesupon thejourneythatsignifiesthepresenceofBrailleInstitutein thehealthcaresector
Peter,pleasebriefouraudienceaboutBrailleInstitute, itsUSPs,andhowitispositionedasareliablenamein thehealthcaresector?
BrailleInstituteprovideseducationalandrehabilitative servicesforthosewhoareblindorvisuallyimpaired.Allof
ourprogramsandservicesarefreeofcharge,areoffered year-round,andservepeopleofallages(children,youth, adults)atallstagesofvisionloss.Westrivetoservethe wholepersonbymeetingarangeofphysical,social, intellectual,andemotionalneeds.
Pleaseshedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowthey impactthehealthcareindustryandyourclients.
BrailleInstituteoffersafullarrayofdirectservices:low visionconsultations,technologytraining,dailylivingskill classes,artsandhealthylivingclasses,orientationand
Our goal is to help harness the power of modern technology to make the lives of those living with vision loss easier and more convenient.
The Generous Leader
Peter Mindnich joined Braille Institute in October 2011 and has been President since March 2014. During his tenure, the company has expanded its ability to serve more individuals by delivering its programs and services remotely using the Microsoft Teams platform, with individuals receiving needed services and support online. This has enabled Braille Institute to expand its ability to serve individuals well beyond the four walls of our various centers and reach those in need across the U.S. and the world.
mobilitytraining,andlibraryservices.Clientsareprovided withanindividualizedrangeofservicesdesignedtomeet theirspecificvisualchallengesandpersonalgoals. Instructionisofferedinone-on-oneandgroupsettings.
Formatsrangefromstandaloneworkshopstomulti-week classes,dependingonsubject,purpose,andaudience.We donotsetlimitsonageorlengthofservice;studentscan returnasoftenasneededtoachievetheirgoals.
Manyofourstudentsreceivemultipleservices.The majorityofthoseweservehavesomedegreeofvision(not completelyblind).Werealizethatage-relatedvisionlossis significant,andwiththeyoungestofthebabyboomers hitting65by2029,thenumberofpeoplewithvisual impairmentorblindnessintheUnitedStatesisexpectedto doubletomorethaneightmillionby2050,accordingto
projectionsbasedonthemostrecentcensusdataandfrom studiesfundedbytheNationalEyeInstitute,partofthe NationalInstitutesofHealth.
Whatarethecorevaluesuponwhichyourorganization isbuilt?WhatisthevisionandmissionoftheBraille Institute?
Ourmissionistopositivelytransformthelivesofthose withvisionloss.Ourgoalistoprovidethetrainingand skillsnecessaryforindividualstoleadproductive,fulfilling, andindependentlives.Ourcorevaluesfocusonourpassion toserve,teamwork,andacommitmenttoexcellenceand integrity Allourprogramsandservicesarefreeofcharge. Weneverturnanyoneawayduetoafinancialinabilityto pay.
Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow moderntechnologieshaveimpactedthehealthcare sector.HowhasBrailleInstituteincorporatedsuch technologiesintoitsdailyoperations?
Technologyhasbeenarealgame-changerforthe populationofblindandvisuallyimpairedindividualswe serve.Thereisassistivetechnologyandaccessibleappsthat havehelpedthosewithvisionlossmanageday-to-day activities.
Voice-enabledtechnology,smarthomedevices,andafull rangeofappsthatcanreadfoodormedicinelabelsor recognizefacesarenowpartofeverydayliving.Braille Instituteofferstechnologytrainingwithinstructorsingroup andone-on-onesettings.
Weequippedourcenterswithsmartphones,computers,and voice-activateddevicestoallowindividualstopracticeand receivehands-ontraining.Ourgoalistohelpharnessthe powerofmoderntechnologytomakethelivesofthose livingwithvisionlosseasierandmoreconvenient.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehealthcarespace?
Observeandlistentoclientsandpatients;theyoftencan sharefrustrationandneedstheyhavethatarenotbeingmet. Itisincrediblyrewardingtobeabletomakeadifferencein someone'slifeeveryday Technologycanbesomeone's eyesorears.Accessibilityissuchagrowingfieldandthere ismorethancanbedone.
Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourorganization's operationsandofferingsin2022andbeyond?
Wewillcontinuetoexpandourremoteprogramsand servicestohelpmorepeoplewhoareblindorvisually impaired.Presently,allourservicesaredeliveredbya live consultant or instructor.Tobeabletofullyofferour servicesnationallyorglobally,wemaylooktoprovide asynchronouscontentthatcanbeaccessedthroughour websiteoradedicatedlearningportal.
Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsofyour clients/customersandalistofawards/recognitionsthat accuratelyhighlightyourorganization'spositioninthe market.
SCOTTisinhismid-60sandlivingwithtotalblindness.He neededhelpinhishometolearnkitchensafetyandhowto preparemealsforhimself.Hethoughthecouldonlyusea microwavetofixameal.Herecentlylosthiswife,whowas hisprimarycaregiverandtheonewhopreparedallhis meals.
BrailleInstituteprovidedhands-ontrainingonhowto preparehisfavoritefoodsandshowedhimdifferent methodsformarking/labelingitems(e.g.,brailleorlarge printlabels,rubberbands,Velcro).Becausegoodeating habitsarevitaltostayinghealthyandmaintaining independence,mealpreparationandsafekitchenuse continuetobecoretrainingareasamongourstudents.
Toeliminatethesocietalandspatialbarriers, disruptionsintechnologyhaverevolutionized assistivetechnologiesforeveryonefacingphysical, emotionalorcognitivedifficulties.Thistechnology,known asassistivetechnology,hasmorpheduserexperiencein tandemwithcurrentgloballandscapes.While inaccessibilityisattheforeground,lackofsafetyisinthe background.
Humans—thesocialbeingareproactivetohelpaperson whoisdifferentlyabled.And,thiscanbenoticedinvarious Medi-careinstitutionsandhospitals.Forexample,imagine avisittothenearesthospitalforaroutinecheck-upwhere thereeithertheinfrastructurelackseaseofmobilityoreven iftheyareinplace,itdoesnotassuresafety–likeitmight nothaverailings,orthesurfacemaybetooslipperytogoon wheelchairetc.andhenceitwouldbemandatorytotake assistancefromfamilyorstrangerstocompleteit.
Assistance,thoughavailedfromfamilymembersorfrom strangers,escalatesnegativefeelingsamongthedifferently abled.Andthisiswhereinnovationsandassistancehave cometotheiraid.Ratherthanhelpingtheminawaythat makesthemfeellikeaburden,onecaneducatethemabout innovativeassistivetechnologieswhichwouldgivethem theirdesiredindependence.
So,whythewaittoempowerthem?
Let us read the article to know more:
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Accessibilitypoweredwithreliabletechnologicalservices fillstheuserwithtrustandletsthemexploremore.From aidingpatientstoconsumerightmedicinesattherighttime toelderlycarehomes,innovativeassistivetechnologiesare enhancingtheirmovementandreachand,theseareleading userstoachieveself-mobility Tocreateaworldoftrustand liberationletusgetfamiliarwithfewpopularinnovative assistivetechnologies.
Robotsarehelpingachievetheobjectiveofaccessible hospitals.Apartfromtheirtraditionalrolesofdelivering necessitiesandcateringpatientneeds,theMultitower robotsbyPTRtechnologieshaveenableddisinfecting individuals,modularliftingofindividuals,oreven educatingthepatientsinhealthcaremakinghealthcare accessibletoall.Theycanbeusedchildrenwithautism whererobotenhancetheirsocialskillsbyhelpingthem formsocialconnectionsandengageinconversations.
Asaccidentsareincreasingglobally,soistheneedfor prosthetics.Whileprostheticsareinusesinceancienttimes, prostheticsmergedwiththeemergingtechnologyof Artificialintelligenceandisdoingwondersforthepeople inneed.AIisenablingregenerativeperipheralnerve interfacetoproducefinermovementsthatlastlifetime.
Recentstudieshavealsohighlightedimportanceofonline gamesinimprovingbehavioraloutcomes.Whiledifferent solutionshavebeendevelopedtohelpthedifferentlyabled playvariousphysicalsports,technologyhasopenedavenue toengagewithonlinegamingplatformstoo.Microsoft's technologyofWindowsEyecontrolhelpspeopleplayan onlinegamewithouttheaidofgamingconsole,sotheusers usetheireyemovementstoplaythegame.
UNICEFandWHOareconstantlystrivingtoimprove accessibilityforthedifferentlyabled.Publiclymostofthe times,publictoiletsarenotdifferentlyabledfriendlythat leavesthespaceinaccessibletotheuser Thetechnology usedtransformsnormallatrinestodisabilityfriendly latrinesbyadjustingseatlevelsorseatdesignsthatmakes thestateinfrastructuredisabledfriendly.
Whilethementionedinnovationsarejustthetipofthe iceberginassistivetechnology,theseinnovationshave surelytransformedthetraditionalassistivetechnologiestoo. Equipment'slikewheelchairs,earaid,walkingaidetc.have gonesignificantupgradations.
Talkingaboutwheelchairs,theyarenowoperated electronically,givingthemmorefreedomtotravelanytime, anywhere.Italsohelpsthemexploresmallerpackedspaces. Movingfurther,advancedhearingaidnowhasfeatureslike automaticsoundadjustments,methodsthathelpdescribe thesoundenvironmenttothelisteneretc.
Constantlyadjustingthosespectaclescanbeannoying, whichmightbeevenmoreforthedifferentlyabledpersons. Forpeoplewhohavenotdevelopedfacialfeaturesfullybut arerequiredtowearspectacles,productioncompanieslike DilliDallihavecomeupwithinnovativespectaclesthat helpthemadjustthesingleframeaccordingtotheirneeds.
Thebestpointisitusesrecyclabletechnologyandthe materialusedisnonallergenic,whichisaperfectaidfor thedifferentlyabled.
Mostofthetimespatientsforgettotakeourdailydoseof medicinesandwouldnotbeapromisingideaforthe differentlytodependonotherforthis.Hence,variousapps, forexamplePillieboxorMedisafe,areactingaspill remindersformostofthepopulation.Theyalsohave featuresthatenableuserstodifferentiatebetweenvarious pillbyuseofassortedcolorsforthem.
Fortravellingaround,carsandmobilitybikeshavegained popularityamongthedifferentlyabled.Carshavenow installedvariousfeaturesliketouchonignition,easeof seatingmobility,handcontrolsforbrakesandacceleration, voiceassistancefordirectionsandalotmorethathas enabledthemtoevenexperiencesafedriving.
Subwaysofacityareeitherunknownorcouldturnoutto beamazetoexploreitindividuallywithoutmaps. Consideringtheseintricacies,companieshaveproduced variousappsthathelppeopletotravelviasubways,give themdirections,createamapofthesubwaywithnoted exits,helpthembuyaticketetc.
Tourismindustryispropellingaheadwithhugeinvestments andsocialmediapublicityandnowmostcountriesare takingstepstobecomedisabledfriendlyforeverytraveler Theyhaveincorporatedtechnologieslikeenabled pedestrianaccessiblesignals,accessiblemuseums,kiosksat everypointfordisseminatinginformationgivingleverage totheconceptofsmarterandaccessiblecities.
Globalleaderstakingpledgetoachievesustainable developmentgoalsofinnovationandinfrastructureand reducinginequalitiesby2030arecomplementingthe advancementsinassistivetechnologies.Innovationwill alwaysbethedrivingforcetoreinforceeaseofmobility andinclusiveness.Hopefully,thesetechnologieswillnotlet anyoneworryaboutthathospitalvisitandbringinclusivity inhealthcarewithdiversifiedoptionsforthedifferently abled,makingthemnotjustfeelindependentbut empoweringthemholistically
Dima Gazda CEO, and Founder Esper Bionics
Weliveinexcitingtimes,andwemaylook forwardtoafutureinwhichhuman-robotic interfacesbecomemoreaccessible,allowing peopletoenjoyhealthier,higher-qualitylives. Whatdoyouthinkthehumanrace'sfutureholds?Science fictionfrequentlydepictsahighlyevolvedand technologicallyadvancedhumanity.
Humansofthefutureareexpectedtobeabletorecover quicklyfromcatastrophicinjuriesthankstohuman-robotic interfaces,prostheticbodycomponents,andinnovative medicine.EsperBionicsisthecompanythatcreateshuman improvementtechnology,suchasaself-learningrobotic prosthesisforpatientswithupper-limbabnormalities.That canhelpusmoveforwardinthefuture.
InaninterviewwithInsightsCare,DimaGazda,theCEO andFounderofEsperBionics,andhisteamsharetheir company'sjourney,theirroleinthedevelopmentofrobotic prosthesis,andthefutureaspectsofthemedicalsector.
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutEsperBionics,itsUSPs, andhowitispositionedasareliablenameinthe healthcaresector?
EsperBionicsisapioneerengineeringcompanythatbuilds humanenhancementdevices,includingaself-learning roboticprosthesisforpeoplewithupperlimbdifferences.
Ourtechnologicalstart-upwasfoundedin2019byDima Gazda,amedicaldoctor,electronicengineer,andserial entrepreneur,withamissiontocreatetechnologiesthatcan eliminatediseases,givehumansextraabilities,and ultimatelyfulfilandprolongthelivesofbillionsofpeople aroundtheglobe.
HeadquarteredinNewYork,theUS,wehaveofficesin GermanyandUkraine.Weareanexperiencedteamof twentywithararecombinationofskillsandexpertiseina varietyofareas.Theseincludeengineering,medicine, manufacturing,electronics,software,datascience,andtech entrepreneurship,amongothers.
Inthesummerof2021,oneofourfirstproducts—the bionicprosthesisEsperHand—gotregisteredwithFDA. Thatsameyear,EsperBionicsbecameawinneratthe13th HealthcareInnovationWorldCupandwasnamedatop worldtechpreneur.Earlier,wesecuredsupportfromEIT Health,anetworkofbest-in-classhealthinnovatorsbacked bytheEU,theAlchemistAccelerator,aUSventure-backed acceleratorrankedthetopacceleratorin2016byCB InsightsSMRK,aventurefundbehindAllsetandAjax.
Pleaseshedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowthey impactthehealthcareindustryandyourclients.
OurfirstproductsareEsperHand,abionichandprosthesis, EsperControl,awearablebrain-computerinterface(BCI), andEsperPlatform,acloud-basedsoftwaresolution.Atthis stageofdevelopment,theyareaimedtoimprovethelives ofpeoplewithupperlimbdifferencesdrastically
Unlikemosthandprosthesesthatarestaticorslightly adjustable,EsperHandhasfivemovablefingers,moves naturally,andchangesgripsautomatically.Itusesdata abouttheuser'sbrainimpulsesandmuscleactivityto performeverydaytasks—likeopeningabottle,pickingup individualgrapes,scrollingonthephone,drivingacar,or usingconstructiontools—withalmosthuman-like dexterity
Our big idea is to make the prosthetics industry the birthplace of next-gen tech to help billions of people live longer and more fulfilling lives.
ItisworthsayingthatEsper'ssolutiondetectsbrain impulsesandmuscleactivityoftheuseruptotentimes betterthanotherhandsonthemarket.
EsperHand'sperformanceimprovesgradually Throughits applicationforsmartphonesanddesktops,thehandis connectedtoEsperPlatform.Thelatterisacloud-based solutionaimedtoenhanceandindividualizehand controllabilityovertime.Theplatformgathersdataabout allthemovementsthehandperformstorecognizesituations andsuggesttherightgripfasternexttime.
Themorewearersusethehand,thebetteritgets.Weighing 380g,EsperHandisamongthelightestonthemarketyet. Itislighterthanahumanhand.Halfmetal,halfplastic,it comesinfoursizesandfivecolorsandhasalmostthree hundredproprietarycomponents.Thehand'sparts,e.g., fingers—aremodularandcanbeeasilyreplacedwithin minutes.
SomeofourusersseeEsperHandasacombinationofa usefulgadgetandafashionaccessorythankstoitsbeautiful design.Thehand'sdesignisinspiredbythebeautyofthe humanbodyandthelightnessanddurabilityofaviation technology.Wearerevolutionizingnotonlythelivesof particularusersbuthealthcareitself.
Wearecurrentlyfocusingoureffortsonupgradingthe prostheticsindustry,whichisverylow-tech.Thesehand prosthesesshouldbeconnectedtooneortwosoftware platforms,beabletocollectdataaboutuserbehaviorand improveovertime.
Weseethatinthefuture,thesetechnologieswillexpandto otherfieldsandassistivedevices—exoskeletonsand
sensors,etc.—andcreatethenecessaryinfrastructurefor theintroductionofelectronicimplants.Webelievethat electronicimplantswillbringthebiggestpositivechangeto theworld.
WhatarethecorevaluesuponwhichEsperBionicsis built?Whatisthevisionandmissionofyour organization?
OurultimategoalatEsperBionicsistounleashthehidden abilitiesofhumans,eliminatediseases,andprolonglives withthehelpofelectronicimplants.Astoday'stechnology stackisstillinsufficienttouseelectronicimplants effectively,weaimtoupgradetheprostheticsindustryfirst sinceithasthepotentialtocreatethenecessarytechstack.
Thisbringsustoourcurrentgoal,whichistodrastically improvethelivesoftenmillionpeoplewithanarm amputationworldwidewiththehelpofEsperHand.
PleasebriefusaboutDimaGazda'sjourneyinthe industryandhowhehascontributedtoEsperBionics's success.
EsperBionics'CEOandFounder,DimaGazda,isamedical doctor,anembeddedengineer,andaserialentrepreneur.He beganhisjourneyinthemulti-billion-dollarhealthcare industryasamedicalstudentin2003.Sincethen,healso gotelectronicengineeringeducationandbuiltfour successfulcompanies.
Underhisleadership,EsperBionicshastransformedfroma five-persontechnologicalstartupin2019intoatwentypersonpioneerengineeringcompanybackedbytheUSand EUventurefundsin2022.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehealthcarespace?
Myadvicewouldbetocometothemarketassoonas possible.Donotwait.Usually,itispossibletomakethe firststepliketalkingcooperationwithclinicsorindividual physiciansbeforegettingacertification.Also,trytostart withoutattractingthird-partyinvestment.
Mysecondadvicewouldbetopartnerassoonaspossible withteamswhohavedoneitbeforeorwhoareseniorsin whattheydo.
Mythirdadvicewouldbetobereadytoiteratefastifyou seethatthemarketdoesnotlikewhatyoudoordoesnot needwhatyoudo.
Myfourthadvicewouldbe,"Don'tbeafraid."Justdoit. Preparationandhesitationusuallytakemoretimethan action.Whenyourbusinessbecomessustainableorcloser tobeingsustainable,youwillhavemoretimetothinkand plan.Buttostart,doitfast.
Nika
"Unlikemypreviousprosthesis,EsperHandisfully functional.Itmakesmefeelindependentandconfident.
Withit,IcandowhateverIwantwithnoassistance whatsoever."
Vlada
"Thebiggestadvantageformeistheabilitytohavetwo functioninghands—insteadofonlyonerighthandagain. Also,Ilovetheaestheticofthehand.Itissobeautiful! WithEsperHand,Ifeelalmosthalf-human,half-robot— justlikeTonyStark,whoturnedhisdisabilityintoa superpower.Ialsohavetheabilitytochooseacolorto makesurethehandgoeswellwithclothes.Overall,Esper Handisstylishandbeautiful,easytouse,and,most importantly,functional.
Thefirstlife-changingqualityofEsperHandisthatitgave mebackmyconfidenceandtheabilitytodomanythings onmyownwithoutaskinganyoneforhelp.Anotherlifechangingqualitywasachanceformetodointerviewsto highlighttheabilitiesofthehand.Itwassoexciting!"
April 2019
EsperBionicsbecomesthewinnerattheinternational engineeringstartupcompetition,theVernadskyChallenge
October 2020
AnnaBelevantseva,COO,andco-founderatEsperBionics, becameawinneroftheFemaleLeadershipProgram, backedbyCRDFGlobal.
EsperBionicsbecomesawinneratthe13thHealthcare InnovationWorldCupandisnamedatopworld techpreneur
EsperHandisshowcasedatCES2022
Haveyouimaginedhavingasystemthatcanenable medicalservicesatthetipofyourfinger?
Well,yes!Technologicaldevelopmenthastakenaleapin convenience,andefficiencyandweareexperiencingthis game-changingdevelopment.Onesuchdevelopmentisthe establishmentofEXOSYSTEMS’virtualplatformto recoverfromphysicalabilities.ItworksonanAI technologythatmakesphysicalconstraintsliketimeand spacecancelout.Itspecificallyfocusesonprovidingcare solutionsinmusculoskeletalrehabilitation.
UnderthevisionaryleadershipofitsFounderandCEO, HoomanLee,thecompanyhasgatheredanefficientteam thatcaterstotheneedsoftheKoreanMedicalmarket.
InaninterviewwithInsightsCare,Hoomanspeaksabout theemergenceofExosystemsandhowisitimpactingthe healthcareindustry
Below are the highlights of the interview
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutExosystems,itsUSPs, andhowitispositionedasareliablenameinthe healthcaresector?
Exosystemsisastartupthatprovidesdigitalcaresolutions formusculoskeletalsystemsbasedoncutting-edge technologyfromroboticshardwaretoartificialintelligence software.
Foundedin2017asagovernment-fundedresearchinstitute, ETRI,aspin-offstartup,wedreamofadaywhenpeople canrecovertheirphysicalabilitiesandenjoyhealthylife valuesthroughourtechnologyandservices.
BasedonAItechnology,wearetargetingthesuccessful musculoskeletalrehabilitationofCNSpatientsathomeand inhospitalsthroughaTele-rehabilitationsolution.The technologydevelopmentteamconsistsofveteransinthe fieldofartificialintelligenceandmedicaldevice developmentandhascontinuedtocooperatewithuniversity
hospitalsforclinicalresearchtosecureexpertiseinsolving problems.
Shedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowtheyimpact thehealthcareindustryaswellasyourclients.
WeofferourclientsaProfessionalDigitalCaresolutionfor JoinPainandMuscleLoss,fromin-hospitaltoin-home care,tomeetpatienthealthcareneeds.
Tele-rehabilitationsolutionsofEXOSYSTEMSgobeyond physicalconstraintssuchastime/spaceandenablemedical servicessuitableformedicalconsumersaroundtheworld.
Theproduct,exoRehab,provideseffectiverehabilitationfor post-operativepatientswithCentralNervousSystem diseasessuchasstroke,Parkinson'sDisease,andgeneral musculoskeletaldisorder.ItskeyfeaturesareBio-signal analysis(sEMG)andfunctionalelectricalstimulation(FES), andremotepatientmonitoring.
AIalgorithmanalyzesdigitalbiomarkersfromelectrical signalsofmuscles,thenDigitalTherapeuticSW(DTx) providespersonalizedtreatmentthroughapp-basedexercise protocolsanddevice-basedelectricalstimulation.Most processescanbedoneremotely,andpersonalizedhealth datacanbemonitoredremotely
Whatarethecorevaluesuponwhichyourorganization isbuilt?Whatisthevisionandmissionofyour organization?
ThecorevaluesofEXOSYSTEMSare'excellence,''fast executionandlearning,'and'communication.'
Excellence-Ithinkthebestconsiderationforour colleaguesisourexcellence.Whenexcellenttalentsgather andgrowtogether,theyalwaysproduceexcellentresults. Fastexecutionandlearning-Noonecanmakeaperfect plan.Wemustlearntherealvoiceofcustomersthrough minimalplanningandquickimplementation.Ifeverything's undercontrol,we'removingtooslowly.
Hooman Lee, the founder of EXOSYSTEMS, studied robotics at graduate school and worked as a researcher at the Government-funded Research Institute. One day, he realized that there was a serious medical blind spot in rehabilitation from experiencing severe injuries and long, painful rehabilitation.
At that time, he was doing research on wearable robots and began to seriously consider applying these technologies to rehabilitation treatment. After making up his mind to solve problems in this eld through related technologies, he visited professors at prominent university hospitals for advice. Then he could gure out new types of solutions with appropriate technology.
He gathered team members who sympathized with these goals and then succeeded in fund-raising from one of the best early-stage investors in Korea. Thanks to investors, the team was able to start to develop the technology and has been growing so far. Today, with the success of attracting investment in the Series A stage, the team is running toward its dreams while recruiting more talented people.
Visionary Leadership
Hooman Lee Founder and CEO Exosystems
Based on the core values, EXOSYSTEMS’ vision is to be the No.1 Digital Healthcare Company in the world.
Communication-Communicationisnotjustabouthaving aconversation.Wemustunderstandtheimportanceof sharinginformationtomaketherightdecisionsineach position.
Basedonthesecorevalues,EXOSYSTEMS’visionistobe the‘No.1 Digital Healthcare Company in the world’
Hooman,beinganexperiencedleader,shareyour opiniononhowmoderntechnologieshaveimpactedthe healthcaresectorandhowhasExosystemsincorporated suchtechnologiesintoitsdailyoperations?
Today'sadvancednetworktechnologyallowsmosttasksto bedoneremotely Thistrendhasalsohadagreatimpacton themedicalfield,andweexpectthetelemedicinemarketto growsignificantlyinthefuture.
Untilnow,technologiessuchasvideocallshavebeen mainlyusedintelemedicinesofar.Ithinkmore professionalserviceswillberequiredinthefuture,suchas remotelymonitoringpatients'biometricsignalsusing digitalmedicaldevices.
EXOSYSTEMSispreparingforthisfuture,andthedigital caresolutionsweprovidehavebeendevelopedtoprovide professionalserviceanddatamanagementanytime, anywhere.
Inaddition,newdigitalmedicine,calledDigital Therapeutics(DTx),willbeusedbroadlyinthefuturein areaswhereitisdifficulttodevelopbiochemicaldrugs.
SeveralFDA-approvedDigitalTherapeuticsarealready emerging,andthistrendwillaffecttheglobal pharmaceuticalmarket.Inthiscontext,EXOSYSTEMShas aplantostarttheFDAprocessofourDigitalCareSW
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehealthcarespace?
Inthehealthcaremarket,itisimportanttodecidehowtodo profitablebusinessfirst.
Forexample,theecosystemoftheKoreanmedicalmarket hasastructureinwhichpublicinsurancecoversmostareas. Therefore,todobusinesswithintheKoreanmedical market,itisnecessarytounderstandthestructureofpublic insurancereimbursement.
SincemuchoftheU.S.healthcaremarketiscoveredby privateinsurance,anotherstrategyisneededtofigureout
whichinsuranceplantotargethere.Thisstrategywill eventuallyhaveamajorimpactondecidingwhetherto prepareforFDAapprovalasamedicaldeviceortargetthe wellnessareaasaconsumerelectronicsdevice.
Howdoyouenvisionscalingyourorganization's operationsandofferingsin2022andbeyond?
In2022,jointresearchisplannedwithaglobal pharmaceuticalcompany.Thegoodresultsofthisstudywill beagoodopportunityforourtechnologytobeappliedto newdrugdevelopmentinthefuture,sowewillpayalotof attentiontothisstudy.SincewefinishedtheSeriesA fundraisingbytheendof2021,weplantoincreasethe capabilityoftechnologydevelopmentthroughtheactive recruitmentoftalentedpeople.
Whilecontinuingtechnologydevelopment,weplanto releaseproductsdevelopedbyapplyingsometechnologies in2022andaimtocollectasmuchreal-worlddataas possiblefrompatients.
Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsofyour clients/customersandalistofawards/recognitionsthat accuratelyhighlightyourorganization'spositioninthe market.
Themostsatisfyingpartforusersisthattheycanreceive professionalrehabilitationtreatmentsuchasNMES electricalstimulationathome,whichwaspreviouslyonly availableatprofessionalmedicalinstitutions.Inaddition, performinganexerciseprogramwithfeedbackoftheuser's bio-signalinreal-timeishighlysatisfyingforenhancingthe exerciseeffect.Someusersarealsodelightedwithdigitally recordeddata.
-2019:MinisterAwardfromMinisterofScienceandICT Award
-2020:CES2020InnovationAward
-2021:MinisterAwardfromMinisterofSMEsandStartups
-Totalof$4.5Minfunding
-Leading$5Mgovernmentgrantedresearch
-PublicProcurementService'sselectionofinnovative products
-MedicalDeviceCertificationandInsurance ReimbursementConfirmation
heevolutionoftechnologyisshowingwondersin
Tdiversefieldsand,asaresult,impactingtheworld inapositiveway!
TheHealthcareindustryhascomealongway,and technologyisoneofthemostcrucialdrivingforcesforthis evolution.ArtificialIntelligence,Nanotechnology,Virtual Reality,Augmentedreality,Robotics,machinelearning,and wearabletechnologyarechangingthefaceofthehealthcare industry.
Drivenbytechnology,thehealthcareindustryischanging drastically,andmachinesarereplacingtheworkwhichwas oncedonebypeople.Doctorswithmanyyearsof experienceretireddoctors,andotherseniormedical researcherswillfindtheimpactoftechnologyinthe medicalfieldastonishing.Theseadvancementsarefueling thedevelopmentofthehealthcareindustryand simultaneouslycontributingtohelpingthemedical
practitionersandstafftoadapttotheneweraofthetechsavvyworld.
Thisarticlewillgiveaninsightintohowthediverse componentsoftechnologyanditsdynamicapplicationsare introducedandadaptedinthehealthcareniche.
ArtificialIntelligence(AI)isusedtomakesmartmachines performtasksthatusuallyrequirehumanintelligence.
UnderAI,machinelearningandothercognitive technologiesareusedinthehealthcareindustry AIin medicalsettingsisusuallyusedforanalyzingmedicaldata tocomeupwithdiagnosesandothersimilaroutcomes.
Thesedatacouldbeusedsignificantly,andmeaningful insightscanbedrawnbyextractingthisdatawhichcanbe renderedanddevelopedintobettermedical/clinical decisions.Paperworkconsumesalotofdoctors'timebutby
introducingdigitizedsystemslikeelectronichealthrecords systems,collectingthedatabecomeseasierandsystematic. AIcanproduceanaccuratediagnosisandpreventive measuresforthesameandcanalsosuggestrelated treatmentforthesame.ByusingBigData,community healthcanbemonitoredandcouldalsohelpinthe preventionofinfectiousdiseases,epidemicsetc.AIhasan importantrole,asit'sjustanumbrellatermthatcoversa varietyoftechnologythatcanhelpindevelopingand improvingthehealthcareindustry.
DataanalysisandAIgoeshandinhand;bothwork simultaneouslytoanalyzebigdatawithrespecttopublic health,includingthemedicalhistoryofanindividual persontoavarietyofdiagnosisandpossibletreatments overtheyears.Andthisdatanotonlyhelpsininnovating newtechnologybutalsokeepsatabofnever-endingdata relatedtopatients.Datarelatedto Medicalreports,lab reports,medicineswhichwereprescribed,etc.,are informationthatcouldbeextractedwithaccuracy
Withwearabledevices,datarelatedtoaperson'severyday activitieslikethenumberofsteps,hoursofsleep,etccould bemonitoredbydoctors.Thebehaviorandlifestyleofany personisthefirstreasontheygetsickandtohaveahealthy lifestyleisnecessary,andsmartphonesalignedwith wearabletechnologylike'Fitbit'helpsthedoctorsstudythe patternofapatient'slifestyleandpreventpossibleillness.
AugmentedReality(AR)andVirtualReality(VR)areno morelimitedtothegamingsector.Healthcaresectorsare nowjoininghandswiththesenewtechnologiesand expandingtheirdigitaljourney.Beforedivingintothe applicationofARandVRinthehealthcareniche,let's understandbrieflywhatARandVRareexactly.
ARiswidelyusedinmedicaltrainingwherethestudents anddoctorsgetaviewofcomplexsurgerieswithout performingactualsurgery.Integratingmapsandlocations
ofhospitalandmedicalcarecenterswithtechnologyhelps inemergencycaseslikeaccidentstolocatethenearby hospitalquicklyandeasily.
VirtualReality(VR)hasawidesetofapplicationsin healthcare.Tostartwithitismostcommonlyusedduring RoboticSurgery,wherethepatientisbeingtreatedbyusing robotscontrolledbyanactualdoctor.Apartfromthis,VR hasbeenusedfortreatingtrauma,anxiety,anddepression byprovidingapeacefulandrelaxingenvironmentforthe patient.
ARandVRtogetherareshapingtheworldofhealthcare, andtheseadvancementsarehelpinginthefastrecoveryof patients.
Therelationshipbetweenadoctorandapatientisthe foundingprincipleofhealthcare,andhavingclear communicationbridgesthegapbetweenthetwoandhelps inthehealingprocess.Telemedicineisawayinwhich doctorsandpatientscanusetechnologytocommunicate withoutbeinginthesameroom.
Theuseofthistechnologyincreasedduringthepandemic whenpatientswerequarantinedathomeandstayedin touchwithdoctorsvirtually,andgottreatmentontime. Seniorcitizensarethemostbenefittedcommunitywith respecttotelemedicineastheycancommunicatewiththe doctorsregardingtheirillnessfromthecomfortoftheir homewithouttravelingallthewaytothehospital.
Technologywillgohandinhandwiththemedical practitionersandstaffwithoutaffectingtheirlivelihood. Technologyaugmentedinthemedicalsectorwillactasa helpinghandfortheprofessionalswhoaredoingthenoble workofsavinglives.
Outofallthereasonsadultchildrenmaychooseto hirealive-incaregiver,mentalhealthmaynotbe thefirstreasontheygive.Thatisbecausewhen theyfinallygettothepointtohire,thereisalreadya pressingconcernthattheirlovedonecannotbealone,and thefamilymembersdonotrealizethementalhealthimpact theyarecurrentlyexperiencing.However,lookingdeeper, thereisatwo-foldbenefitforourclientsandtheirfamilies. Hiringalive-incaregiverisbeneficialforaclient'smental healthbecauseitcanmakethemfeelasenseofsafetyand security.
IntheoutbreakofCOVID-19,theworldwasforcedtoshut down;everyoneneededtoisolatenotonlyfortheirsafety butaswellastheirfamilies.Frommyexperienceworking asanurseduringthepandemic,Isawhowtoughitwasfor thosewholivedaloneandthosewhodependedontheir relativestoassistthemwiththeirADLs(Activitiesofdaily living)andIADLs(Instrumentalactivitiesofdailyliving). Allofasudden,theonlyformofcommunicationtheyhad withtheirfamiliesandfriendswasbyphone.Istartedto noticemorebehaviorswereoccurring,andfrequentfalls
werehappening.Itwascleartoseethenegativemental impactourclientswerefeeling.
Whatwediscoveredwasthatthefamiliesweresearching forsolutions,feelingvulnerableandguilty.Manyasked, "shouldItakemymomordadhome?"sometimesignoring thattheydidnothavetheadequatespaceathome,training, orthecapacityintheirschedulestodedicatethetimeand attentiontotheirlovedonesneededtothrive.WhenI startedthebusinesswith In home personal services,I noticedthatmostofmyclients'familieslivedoutofstate, whichledtoheightenedlevelsofpoormentalhealthdueto asenseofhelplessnessthefamiliesfelt.Afterspeakingwith thefamiliestoidentifytheirneedsandprovideeducation andreassuranceinourservices,theycouldfeelasenseof trustinourcaregiversasiftheywereanextensionoftheir family
Knowingthatourcaregiverswerewell-trained,professional caregiversgavethemasenseofease.Thecaregiverswere bytheirside,givingonlytheirfullattentiontotheirclients andallowingthepandemictobebearable.Theyattendedto theirneedsandwantsbutstillallowedthemtomaintain theirindependentlifestyle.
Overall,therearenotmanywordstodescribethepeaceof mindwhenitcomestotheoneswelove,andwedonot oftenrealizeinourbusyliveshowourmentalhealthcanbe affectedforsomeoneweloveisnotgettingthecareor attentiontheyneed.Wearesoproudtobeofferingthistype ofservicetoimprovethequalityoflifeforourclientsas wellasthementalhealthoftheirfamilies.
-RachelleVentura,RN
Kathleen O'Donnell
VP of Marke ng and New Business Development ReWalk Robo cs
AsHenryDavidThoreaurightlyquotes,“Anearly morningwalkisablessingforthewholeday.”But whataboutindividualswithlowerlimb disabilities?
Whatiftheseindividualswereassured,theycouldwalk whilelookingattheworldeyetoeyeagain? Acknowledgingthisgraveissue,themakersofReWalk Roboticshavedesigned,developed,andcommercialized poweredsolutionsthatprovidemobilitytoindividualswith lowerlimbdisabilities.
Standingbythecompany’smissionoffundamentally changingthequalityoflife,KathleenO'Donnell,VPof MarketingandNewBusinessDevelopment,hasbeenthe sourceofguidinglighttothecompany.Hercombined expertiseinbiomedicalandengineeringhashelpedleadthe companyinthedevelopmentandtestingofexo-suits.
Inaninterviewwith Insights Care,Kathleentalksaboutthe company’sUSPsandhowmoderntechnologieshave positivelyimpactedthehealthcareniche.
Below are the highlights:
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutReWalkRobotics,its USPs,andhowitispositionedasareliablenameinthe healthcaresector?
ReWalkRoboticsspecializesindevelopingand commercializingnovelhigh-techsolutionstoaddress mobilityandmovementimpairmentsforindividualsat
homeandinrehabilitationinstitutions. ReWalkhasconsistentlypioneeredthehealthcare exoskeletonindustry,startingwithbeingthefirstFDAapprovedexoskeletontoenablewalkingforindividuals withspinalcordinjury(SCI)in2014.
ReWalkwasalsothefirsttopartnerwiththeVeterans Administrationtodevelopanationalpolicyregarding accesstopersonalexoskeletonsforVeteranswithSCIin 2015.Morerecently,wehavecontinuedtoseekbroader accesstoexoskeletonsbyworkingwithCMStoestablisha uniqueHCPCScodedesignatedforexoskeletonsand continuetoworkwithCMSinanefforttogain reimbursementcoverageforindividualscoveredunder Medicare.
We know that interventions are the most effective when we maximize the intensity, number of repetitions, and relevance of the activity we are trying to train – all of which can be facilitated by rehabilitation robotics.
Pleaseshedsomelightonyourofferingsandhowthey impactthehealthcareindustryandyourclients.
ReWalkofferstwoflagshipproducts:theReWalkPersonal ExoskeletonandtheReStoreExo-Suitforpost-strokegait rehabilitation.Thesetwoproductshelptoaddresstwovery importantmobilitychallengesinNeuroRehabilitationin verydifferentways:
TheReWalkPersonalExoskeletonenablesindividualswith spinalcordinjurytostand,walk,andaccessthebenefitsof everydaywalkingduringdailyactivitiesathomeandinthe community
TheReStoreExo-Suitisdesignedtobeusedduring physicaltherapysessionsforpatientswhoarerelearningthe abilitytowalkafterastroke.TheReStoreisafabric-based wearablesuitthatallowstherapiststotrainforimproved groundclearanceandpush-off–twokeyfunctionswhich aretypicallyimpairedafterastroke.
Inadditiontotheseproducts,wealsoofferalineof MediTouchAugmentedBiofeedbackdevicesandalineof FunctionalElectricalStimulation(FES)cyclesfrom MYOLYN,whichincludessolutionsforbothclinicandathomeuse.
WhatarethecorevaluesuponwhichReWalkRobotics isbuilt?Whatisthevisionandmissionofyour organization?
Ourmissionistoprovidesolutionsthatcanfundamentally changethequalityoflifeforindividualswithmovement impairments,byhelpingthemtoregainmobilityand independenceathomeandintheclinic.
Kathleen,tellusaboutyourjourneyintheindustryand howyouhavecontributedtothecompany'ssuccess.
IbecameinvolvedwithReWalkRoboticsstartingin2016 whenReWalkRoboticsandtheWyssInstituteatHarvard Universityenteredintoalicensingandcollaboration agreementforthedevelopmentofexosuittechnologies.
AtthetimeIwasworkingattheWyssInstitutetoleadthe strokerehabilitationexosuitprojectthatwasbeing developedintheBiodesignlabwithProfessorConor Walsh,PhD.Thistechnologyeventuallybecamethe ReStoreExo-Suitthatiscommerciallyavailablefrom ReWalkRoboticstoday
FollowingthetransitiontoReWalkRobotics,Ibecame involvedineffortstocommercializethedesignofReStore,
andthecoordinationoftheclinicaltrialspriortoFDA clearance.UponreceivingFDAclearanceforReStorein 2019,Ihelpedtocoordinatetheglobalproductlaunch. Morerecently,IalsohelpedtobringintheMediTouchand MYOLYNproductlinesfordistributionintheUStohelp expandourneurorehabilitationportfolio.
Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow moderntechnologieshaveimpactedthehealthcare sector.Howhasyourcompanyincorporatedsuch technologiesintoitsdailyoperations?
Roboticshavebeengainingincreasedpopularityinphysical rehabilitation,andneurorehabilitation,duetotheirunique abilitytosupplyhighlycustomizablelevelsofassistanceto patientsinconsistent,repeatableways,whileatthesame timeminimizingthephysicalburdenonthetherapistswho wouldotherwisehavetoassistthesemovementsmanually
Inneurorehabilitation(e.g.,rehabilitationaftera neurologicalinjury,suchasspinalcordinjuryorstroke),we knowthatinterventionsarethemosteffectivewhenwe maximizetheintensity,numberofrepetitions,and relevanceoftheactivitywearetryingtotrain–allofwhich canbefacilitatedbyrehabilitationrobotics.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothehealthcarespace?
Findachallengethatyouandyourteamareuniquely qualifiedtohelpsolve.Then,involveyourstakeholders earlyandoftenthroughoutyourdevelopmentprocessto ensureyoursolutionwillgenuinelymeettheirneeds.
HowdoyouenvisionscalingReWalkRobotics’ operationsandofferingsin2022andbeyond?
Wehaveaddedtwoadditionalproductlines,theMYOLYN FEScyclesandtheMediTouchaugmentedfeedback system,toourUSoperationsasdistributionproducts.This allowsourteamtobeastrongerresourcewithamore completerangeofsolutionsforneurorehabilitation.Wewill alsocontinuetodevelopnewermodelsofourexisting ExoskeletonandExo-Suitproducts,andrecentlyreceived breakthroughdesignationwiththeFDAforourReBoot design,whichwillbeahome-useversionoftheReStore Exo-Suit.
The best and most Ef cient Pharmacy is within your own System.
