Borisoff, Jaimie (British Columbia Institute of Technology)

Purpose

Our proposed invention is based on Active Arm Passive Leg Exercise (AAPLE) machines (i.e. machines where arm motion drives paralyzed leg motion), a form of exercise that improves cardiovascular (CV) health in people with spinal cord injury. Our prototype, the AAPLE-Walk, extends this concept to allow for arm driven walking motion while standing for people with complete lower limb paralysis. With AAPLE-Walk, a user is stand-supported on a modified elliptical-type exercise machine. The user's arm movements can be used to drive their legs in walking patterns at variable intensities appropriate for CV fitness. The ability of AAPLE-Walk to drive synchronized gait-like movements while weight bearing opens up the possibility of rehabilitation locomotor therapy similar to that provided by expensive gait trainers or exoskeletons. Our device can also be used with active leg movements when physically possible, and any combination of left/right arm/leg inputs, opening up the possibility of it benefitting people with a wide range of mobility limitations (e.g. stroke, neurological conditions, aging). _x000D_