Lite Run Inc. is pleased to announce that it has won a $100,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research.
The award targets the development of a home version of the innovative Lite Run mobility device which has been used in clinical rehabilitation for the treatment of patients with gait and balance difficulties. The technology uses differential air pressure inside a specially engineered suit to effectively reduce up to 50 percent of a patient’s body weight, allowing for longer therapy sessions.
“We are grateful to receive the recognition and resources that winning this competitive grant provides,” said John Hauck, President of Lite Run Inc. “Physical therapists and the rehabilitation community are excited about Lite Run’s technology that allows stroke and spinal cord-injured patients to begin their walking therapy safely, comfortably and possibly sooner than other methods.”
The planned home device has application for the large long-term disabled population, and it will complement Lite Run’s available Gait Trainer product for use in hospitals and care facilities.
The Lite Run System includes several innovations:
Anti-gravity science
Just as the pressure of water in a swimming pool pushes a swimmer’s body up and out of the water, the air pressure inside the Lite Run suit provides lift to the patient. Patients’ joints retain mobility even when the suit is fully pressurized.
Dynamic unweighting
Using the system, a patient’s effective body weight may be reduced by up to 50 percent. For example, a 180-pound patient can “weigh” only 90 pounds! This means the weight the patient needs to support on his or her own is reduced, making walking and balance easier.
Natural gait training
The unique “unweighting” effect produced by the Lite Run system allows patients to use their own natural gait.
Because the system is very stable, patients may begin walking in it soon after injury.
You can watch a video, learn more about the product, and find testimonials at www.literun.com.
MN-SBIR, housed within the Minnesota High Tech Association, assisted Lite Run with their grant proposal and application.
About Lite Run Inc.
Incorporated in 2014, Lite Run Inc., www.literun.com, is developing products to restore and enhance human mobility and enable the disabled and injured to walk and run again. Lite Run’s current Gait Trainer device is FDA listed and market released. The pilot clinical study was completed at North Memorial Health Hospital. Clinical studies are currently underway at both the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.
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