Agnes Fejerdy of Philadelphia, Pa., demonstrates ReWalk, a robotic exoskeleton device with which the user actively is involved and has control of all mobility functions, at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 1, 2011. (FRANCIS GARDLER/Lincoln Journal Star)
Video: ReWalk motorized exoskeleton Officials at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital demonstrated a new motorized exoskeleton technology that they hope to get in the next year. The device is one of twelve in the nation.
Injuries from a car accident seven years ago left Agnes Fejerdy paralyzed below the waist, but she lost more than her ability to walk, she said.
She lost the ability to look people in the eye and her independence.
But three years ago at Pennsylvania's MossRehab, the 36-year-old gambled on a clinical trial for a motorized exoskeleton that attaches to her legs.
It helped her walk for the first time in years.
Fejerdy demonstrated the ReWalk robotic legs Tuesday at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital.
With the push of a button, the machine lifted her from a chair. She walked around the room with the help of two canes as the robotic legs made gyrating noises.
Madonna hopes to become one of only a dozen hospitals in the nation to own one of the devices for rehabilitation purposes.
"Ideally, we would evaluate every patient that walks through our doors to see if they can use it for rehab while they are here," said Dr. Paul Krabbenhoft, medical director of Madonna's spinal cord rehabilitation program.
Krabbenhoft is in a wheelchair and said he would kill to try the machine but his particular disability won't allow it.
For Madonna, the major sticking point for obtaining the device is its $200,000 price, but the hospital is looking for donors, said Molly Nance, Madonna spokesperson.
If they do get one, more than 150 patients a year at Madonna would likely use the ReWalk.
Patients from all over the United States would come to Lincoln if Madonna had one of the few available in the nation, Nance said.
Phil Astrachan of Argo Medical Technologies, which makes the devices, said wheelchairs have been around since 1595 but haven't changed much in 70 years.
"We wanted to bring innovation to paraplegic patients," Astrachan said.
He said people in wheelchairs lose independence and inclusion, but also get less exercise and face a bevy of secondary health issues, like back pain.
This device may increase bone density, increase cardiovascular stamina and decrease pain, plus also improve weight loss, digestion and bladder control.
The ReWalk has FDA approval primarily for rehabilitating spinal cord injury patients in hospitals, but the company is working on a personal version that could cost about $60,000.
The battery-powered exoskeleton weighs about 40 pounds and allows wearers to walk on uneven surfaces, go up stairs and ramps and go through doors.
Leaning forward causes the device to step, while leaning back causes it to stop. Press a button and it lifts a leg to step up.
The battery lasts all day and it takes about five minutes to strap on the device, Astrachan said.
"It feels very safe and feels like walking before my accident," Fejerdy said. "It isn't heavy either."
That's because the robotic legs move the patient, Astrachan said.
The ReWalk was featured on Glee last December when the character Artie stood up from a wheelchair and took his first steps.
That drew the interest of thousands of people, Astrachan said.
Fejerdy has used the device two or three times daily since March. She hopes to get a personal device once they are available. She can't wait to walk around the streets and look at people face to face again.
"It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen happen," she said. "Every time I would dream, I would dream of walking again."
Reach Jordan Pascale at 402-473-7120, jpascale@journalstar.com or follow him @LJSPascale.
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