The Tek RMD is a great use of robotic technology. The product allows persons with lower limb paralysis or weakness to get out of their wheelchair with very little effort, and then stand in a great posture whilst being able to move around. It’s not an alternative to a wheelchair or a replacement for a wheelchair but it does offer a unique complement to one. Sitting in a wheelchair all day is not great for health and standing is obviously desirable in many practical and social situations.

What is not so obvious at a glance is that each Tek RMD is capable of being adjusted to suit a wide range of statures. The cosmetic bodywork covers the means to adjust the product and we cant generally make major adjustments on site.

In this article we cover what measurements we use to adjust the Tek RMD to the individual user

At Anatomical Concepts, we specialise in treating denervation - a condition where muscles lose their nerve supply. This can result from peripheral nerve injuries or certain spinal cord injuries affecting lower motor neurons. Untreated denervation leads to muscle atrophy, weakening muscles, and reduced ability to contract. However, RISE Stimulator, a device we use, can effectively treat denervation. By transmitting electrical signals directly to the muscle fibers, it bypasses the damaged nerve, preventing atrophy and muscle structural changes. This treatment method can normalize muscle tissue and increase muscle bulk over time. It's best to start soon after injury but can also help those with long-term injuries.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a common motor disorder in Parkinson’s disease (PD). It is characterised by sudden, unanticipated interruptions in gait, lasting from seconds to minutes, in which people feel that their feet are stuck to the floor and unable to move forward despite trying hard.

FOG episodes can occur in other neurological diseases too. The phenomenon is particularly debilitating and often requires physical support from another person to get unstuck and start walking again. Treatment strategies developed for managing gait disorders and freezing include medications, deep brain stimulation (DBS), physical therapy interventions and external visual cues.

Anatomical Concepts offer a neat product called NexStride that uses cueing technology to help overcome the freezing of gait.

Standing is an essential human function that allows us to explore and interact with our environment. It is also good for our health. However, for individuals with mobility impairments, or lower limb paralysis, standing regularly and safely can be a challenge. Fortunately, with advances in assistive technology, standing is now possible for many people, even those who cannot stand on their own. Many products - both simple and complex exist to help people stand despite their disability. Many times, people find it hard to embrace a standing regime, due to boredom. What if technology existed that allowed standing to be combined with moving around?

One such technology solution is the Tek RMD; a robotic mobilisation device designed to help individuals with mobility impairments stand and move around with ease in their environments. In this article, we will explore the importance of standing and how the Tek RMD allows individuals to achieve this, both indoors and outdoors.

Functional Electrical Stimulation, commonly known as FES, has many practical applications. FES is a widely used, non-invasive treatment technique that applies electrical impulses to weak or paralysed muscles. The idea of using electricity to have a beneficial effect on the body is not new, but it is only with advances in technology in recent years are we starting to see the true potential of this approach for neurorehabilitation and healthcare in general.
The purpose of functional electrical stimulation is usually to generate a useful (functional) muscle contraction; often with the aim of improving function and movement but, depending on the type of stimulation used, an FES device can do much more than that.

In this article we review the topic of FES, some of it's applications and point to some of the devices offered by Anatomical Concepts.

Electrical stimulation is a commonly used treatment for various conditions, including pain relief and can often be very effective. What would count as success very much depends on the reason for the pain and it’s severity. In some cases, pain relief with any technique will be temporary but then the benefit may have to be weighed against other factors. As with any potential treatments there are contraindications and indications.
We would typically need to consider electrical stimulation effectiveness and safety in comparison with possible alternatives. As electrical stimulation is relatively safe and non-invasive in many situations it is often worth trying before more invasive alternatives are considered for example.
We will describe what is behind the TENS approach as well as other approaches that might not be so well known. At Anatomical Concepts we deal with a product called the Stimulette Edition 5 which boasts a number of built-in protocols for the management of pain. In this article we will describe how electrotherapy can be used to work with pain and the specific abilities of the Edition 5.