NESS(R) L300(TM) Wins Prestigious Gold Medical Design Award.New Wireless System for Foot Drop Helps Stroke Patients Regain Mobility and Achieve Greater IndependenceSANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- Bioness Inc. announced today the NESS([R]) L300[TM] wireless system for foot drop is the recipient of the prestigious 2007 Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA MDEA 3,4-Methylenedioxy-N-Ethylamphetamine (empathogenic/psychedelic drug closely related to MDMA) MDEA Master Data Exchange Agreement MDEA Methyl Di-Ethyl Amine ). A combined panel of healthcare and medical design experts selected the NESS L300 for the Gold award from hundreds of entrants worldwide. The NESS L300 is recognized for its innovative design and ability to assist in lifting the foot to compensate for foot drop, a condition caused by weakness of the muscles that can lead to instability and difficulty in walking. The technology may also provide other important benefits such as the prevention of muscle atrophy and improved joint range of motion and blood circulation. Foot drop is often present in persons suffering from conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury Traumatic brain injury (TBI), traumatic injuries to the brain, also called intracranial injury, or simply head injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes brain damage. TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury and is one of two subsets of acquired brain , multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy cerebral palsy (sərē`brəl pôl`zē), disability caused by brain damage before or during birth or in the first years, resulting in a loss of voluntary muscular control and coordination. , and incomplete spinal cord injuries Spinal Cord Injury Definition Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control. Description Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur each year in the United States. . Prior to the availability of the NESS L300, patients typically relied on rigid plastic braces that restrict ankle movement and sometimes lead to additional injuries. "Although the NESS L300 System has been available only for a short time in the United States Time in the United States, by law, is divided into nine standard time zones covering the states and its possessions, with most of the United States observing daylight saving time for part of the year. , the feedback from patients learning to walk again and the professional community has been enormous and overwhelmingly positive," said Yitzhak Zilberman, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Bioness Inc. "We're honored that the NESS L300, which has the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide, has received this level of recognition." The NESS L300 device integrates state-of-the-art electronics into a compact, wireless system. The lightweight NESS L300 is worn on the leg and is designed to deliver stimulation to nerves to contract the muscles that lift the foot while walking. Used in acute or outpatient therapy and then transitioned to home and community environments, the NESS L300 may save therapy time, may improve function and may help patients to take charge of their recovery. The NESS L300 was judged by the MDEA panel and declared a winner based on its superior product innovation, design sophistication so·phis·ti·cate v. so·phis·ti·cat·ed, so·phis·ti·cat·ing, so·phis·ti·cates v.tr. 1. To cause to become less natural, especially to make less naive and more worldly. 2. , and enhanced healthcare benefits delivery. How the NESS L300 Works The NESS L300 treats foot drop by stimulating the nerves in the leg that contract the muscles to lift the toes and prevent the foot from dragging. The wireless system is comprised of the following components that together are designed to assist patients to achieve greater independence. Intelli-Sense[TM] Gait Sensor: The low-profile pressure sensor, called the Intelli-Sense gait sensor, is placed in a shoe and detects when the heel is on or off the ground. The sensor wirelessly transmits signals to the stimulation device that is worn below-the-knee and is designed to stimulate the muscles at just the optimal time to compensate for foot drop. The system automatically adjusts to variables such as walking surface and speed through software analysis of the gait sensor data. Simulation Device: The innovative and lightweight electronic device is designed to be easy to apply to the affected limb and comfortable to wear. The low-profile shape with integrated electrodes helps to assure accurate electrode placement for stimulation of the target muscles. Control Unit: This portable hand-held unit enables the user to conveniently turn the stimulation on and off when sitting and fine-tune the stimulation intensity for fatigue or fluctuations in muscle tone often present in stroke survivors. The wireless control unit also gives the clinician the unique ability to have "on-demand" stimulation in different therapeutic activities. When combined with the Clinician's Programmer, the therapist can simultaneously perform visual gait analysis gait analysis Rehab medicine Evaluation of the gait of Pts with a neurologic or orthopedic condition affecting the motor control system–eg, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, musculoskeletal actuator systems, post and make real-time adjustments to stimulation parameters while the patient is walking. About Bioness Inc. Bioness harnesses the power of Functional Electrical Stimulation Functional electrical stimulation (commonly abbreviated as FES) is a technique that uses electrical currents to activate nerves innervating extremities affected by paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI), head injury, stroke or other neurological disorders, (FES) to deliver innovative wireless technologies designed to assist stroke and other patients with neurological injuries to recover faster and regain function in their affected limbs. These time-saving technologies allow patients to use them in their homes and in the community, and allow therapists to easily monitor patient compliance. Bioness Inc.'s patent-protected NESS([R]) H200[TM] and NESS L300 devices are proven technologies cleared for use by both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. ) and approved by the European Union European Union (EU), name given since the ratification (Nov., 1993) of the Treaty of European Union, or Maastricht Treaty, to the European Community (CE Mark). Bioness was established in 2004 by three of the world's leaders in medical technology: entrepreneur and philanthropist Alfred E. Mann Alfred E. Mann (born 1925, Portland, OR), who is also known as Al Mann, is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is a billionaire. Born and raised in Portland, his father was English and mother Polish. , NESS([R]) Ltd. and the Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research. Additional information about Bioness can be found at www.bioness.com. About Media Design Excellence Awards MDEA is the premier awards program for the medical technology community. It recognizes the achievements of medical device manufacturers, their suppliers, and the many people behind the scenes--engineers, scientists, designers, and clinicians--who are responsible for the groundbreaking innovations that are changing the face of healthcare. MDEA-winning entries excel in the areas of product innovation, design and engineering achievement, end-user benefit, and cost-effectiveness in manufacturing and healthcare delivery. A comprehensive review of the entries was performed by an impartial, multidisciplinary panel of third-party jurors with expertise in biomedical engineering Biomedical engineering An interdisciplinary field in which the principles, laws, and techniques of engineering, physics, chemistry, and other physical sciences are applied to facilitate progress in medicine, biology, and other life sciences. , human factors, industrial design, medicine, and diagnostics. 1. Hausdorff J, Ring H, The effect of the NESS L300 neuroprosthesis on gait stability and symmetry, (abstract) J Neurol Phys Ther. 2006 Dec 30 (4):195-200 (included in CSM CSM - ["CSM - A Distributed Programming Language", S. Zhongxiu et al, IEEE Trans Soft Eng SE-13(4):497-500 (Apr 1987)]. 2007 Platform Presentations). 2. Hausdorff J, Ring H, The effect of a new lower-limb neuroprosthesis on physical and social functioning social functioning, n the ability of the individual to interact in the normal or usual way in society; can be used as a measure of quality of care. , (abstract) J Neurol Phys Ther. 2006 Dec 30 (4):209-22 (included in CSM 2007 Platform Presentations). NESS, NESS L300 and Intelli-Sense are trademarks of NESS Ltd. Ra'anana, Israel - Manufacturer: NESS Ltd. - North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. Distributor: Bioness([R]) Inc. - Bioness is a registered trademark of Bioness Inc., Santa Clarita, CA - Rx only |
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