A "LIMMO" FOR THE PALSIED
A team of scientists has developed a "Limmo" for the palsied. The
Limb-mobile or "Limbmo" (pronounced "Limmo") is a patented
exercising machine which simulates the complete walking motion onto the
patient's legs through an ingenious set of mechanisms.
The "Limmo" was the brainchild of inventor, Labuschagne who
initially designed it for a boy who was brain damaged and unable to walk, talk
or get around on his own in any other way. Realising the impact the machine
could have on the mobility and quality of life, Labschagne took up the
challenge. Dr Barend Botha and Rudoph van Niekerk of Potchefstroom University
for Christian Higher Education came on board to refine the idea and now three
years later, a working prototype has been developed.
The prototype demonstrates the ability of the apparatus to simulate the
complete walking action permitting the relative movement between all sections of
the lower body i.e. the torso, the upper leg, the lower leg, the ankle and the
toe. What the Limbmo aims to do is improve the quality of life of the palsied by
enhancing blood circulation to every part of the lower body, which in turn could
improve the potential for recovery after a spinal injury.
Mobility of the various limbs is enhanced through an ingenious set if
mechanisms ensuring the simulation of the actual walking motion. Repositioning
with automation and mobility is conducive for weight bearing through motion.
This motion is transferred to or from a set of wheels, which not only enables
stationary exercising of the various muscle groups, but also exercising while
being pushed around by external help. An even more important aspect, however, is
the fact that, once sufficient muscle strength has been regained, the Limbmo can
also be used to move around without external help through "walking".
 During the development of the prototype the team conferred with various
medical and therapeutical institutions to ensure that the Limbmo's met medical
requirements. The Limbmo offers comfort and support while allowing flexing in
the correct position, allowing patients to either lie down, sit comfortably at
adjustable angles and standing upright at different angles for various levels of
weight-bearing. The machine also simulates the human gait allowing for the
rhythmic weight-bearing on feet and leg joints, hip sockets, knees, ankles and
toes. So the patient can be suspended comfortably and upright while transferring
the rhythmic gait to the patient through coordinated exercises, relieving
pressure and enhancing blood flow through rhythm and repositioning. By
simulating walking, thee coordinated motion can actually aid in healing by
stimulating cardio vascular functioning, the neural and the abdominal systems.
Furthermore it can also counteract osteoporosis, muscular atrophy and scoliosis
and aid in the building of muscle tone and endurance limits.
The Limbmo makes it ideally suited for quadriplegics, paraplegics,
hemiplegics and patients with temporary paralysis experiencing immobility as a
result of injuries to their spinal cord. It not only offers the potential of
enhancing the blood flow and exercising the various muscle groups, but could
even aid in regaining full muscular strength leading to a full recovery. Apart
from these advantages to the patient, it also offers significant advantages to
medical institutions improving the level of medical treatment being offered.
Improvements
Although the Limbmo is currently manually operated, future plans include
automating both the walking motion and the machine's ability to change between
functions. Other improvements are planned which will result in even easier
access, improved support and adjustability for different sizes.
Medical doctors and therapists have given the Limbmo a highly positive
response. The innovation also got the thumbs up in the recent Innovation
Competition run by Catalyst Innovation and Acorn Technologies, gaining second
place and with a few refinements the Limbmo may well deliver on its promise. The
team, consisting of the inventor, a group of engineers, an occupational
therapist and a behavioral scientist are planning to commercialise the Limbmo.
The aim is to have the next, upgraded prototype ready for commercialization by
the middle of 2004.
More information:
Potential users and/or investors can obtain more information from Dr Barend
Botha at mgibwb@puk.ac.za,
+27-(0)18-299-1329 (O) or +27-(0)82-576-7289 (C).
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