A discreet, flexible cuff made of electrodes was found in a small study of stroke patients to help restore flexibility to their disabled arms.
Made by a startup called Neubond, the device is intended to integrate seamlessly into daily routines, allowing patients with impaired motor functions to maximize the time spent performing rehabilitation activities.
Neubond, led by co-founders Jumpei Kashiwakura and Patrick Sagastegui Alva, worked with patients at a stroke support group in London, near the Imperial College London campus, to perfect their device. The results were published in a recent article in the journal NYU Scholars.
The prototype cuff is worn around the upper forearm and has electrodes that detect muscle activation commands and stimulate nerves to help reestablish their connection with the brain.
Co-founder Kashiwakura says the device works by promoting neuroplasticity, or the reorganization of the brain around new neural pathways to regain control of the limb.
After just 8 sessions, Reuters reports, Lisa Vincent’s left arm went from completely rigid to able to bend and flex with much more control.
“My granddaughter, she’s 8 months old, and she was only allowed to sit on my lap because I couldn’t hold her. But 3 weeks ago my daughter put her on my lap and I held her with this arm because I felt in control of the wrist and I was confident enough,” Vincent told Reuters.
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“I cried myself to sleep that night. It was amazing to be able to do that.
Neubond was one of five finalists in Imperial College’s Venture Catalyst Challenge (VCC), an entrepreneurial initiative that helps alumni and start-ups develop their innovative ideas towards eventual commercialization.
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VCC takes 25 teams through a 3-month program of coaching, expert meetings, workshops and pitch training, before the five finalists compete for a grand prize of £20,000. The total prize pool is £100,000, making it the largest university competition focused on entrepreneurship in the UK.
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