Brooks Rehabilitation

A “revolutionary” new robotic treatment for patients who have suffered spinal cord injuries, first developed in Japan, is now available in the U.S.

It will be rolled out at Brooks Rehabilitation, a post-acute provider in Jacksonville, FL, which is partnering with Cyberdyne Inc., out of Japan. Together, they’re rolling out robotic legs called “Hybrid Assistive Limb” at the Brooks Sybernic Treatment Center.

HAL is affixed to patient’s lower limbs and trunk, and operates with the use of internal signals emanating from the patient. It’s unique from other “extremity exoskeletons” because the patient neurologically controls it.

Patients who take part in the trial can also choose to share their data for clinical research to further evaluate the benefits of using HAL.

Brooks Rehab is one of the nation’s largest inpatient rehab hospitals in the country, with 160 beds, 32 outpatient clinics, two skilled nursing facilities, assisted living and memory care.

“We’ve already seen the results of improved mobility and ability to walk in patients with spinal cord injury at several international locations that are providing this technology,” Geneva Tonuzi, M.D., medical director of the Brooks Cybernic Treatment Center, said in a release. “We are thrilled to finally have this unique technology available here at Brooks Rehabilitation as it opens the door to more research and treatment methods in advancing spinal cord injury treatment.”