2 Exercise Rehab Aids Soon Available to Patients in US via ReWalk Robotics

ReWalk Robotics is preparing to implement agreements allowing it to distribute in the U.S. two new neuro-rehabilitation devices for people with motor disabilities, including those with multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury, and stroke.

Under these agreements, the company will become the sole U.S. distributor of MediTouch’s Tutor movement biofeedback systems, and one of the distributors of Myolyn’s MyoCycles.

“The addition of these products, which will be sold through our existing direct field sales and training teams, provides value to us in multiple ways,” Andy Dolan, vice president of Marketing at ReWalk, said in a press release.

“These impressive technologies serve similar clinician and patient profiles as our current products … The MediTouch Tutor devices will also give us an entry into the telehealth capable products category to leverage recent COVID-19 related reimbursement changes and trends in rehabilitative care,” Dolan added.

MediTouch’s Tutor movement biofeedback systems include arm, hand, and leg rehabilitation devices specifically designed to be used by patients with neurological disorders both in physical and occupational therapy, and remotely in a home setting.

These systems use a set of sensors that can be attached to patients’ clothes to detect their movements. They are meant to be used in combination with a web-based MediTutor app that provides instructions on the type of exercises patients should do, while also capturing and sending progress reports to their physicians.

“Entering the U.S. physical rehabilitation clinic and home telehealth markets with our innovative wearable devices and web-based MediTutor app in order to provide the best clinical care and affordable cost effective treatment, while enabling social distancing specifically during this pandemic is a key goal for our company, and we believe that this partnership with ReWalk gives us the customer access we need,” said Giora Ein-ZVi, CEO of MediTouch.

Myolyn’s MyoCycles use functional electrical stimulation (FES) — a form of therapy that consists on the application of small electrical charges to muscles — to help patients be able to better engage in therapeutic exercises. These devices are specifically intended for those with muscle weakness or paralysis associated with MS, spinal cord injury, or stroke.

Like ReWalk’s exoskeleton devices, Myolyn’s MyoCycles can be used in a rehabilitation clinic and in a home setting, once patients have been trained to use them. For two types of this device — the MyoCycle Home for home use and the MyoCycle Pro for clinic use — the company has federal contracts that facilitate their purchase by hospitals associated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and by patients with VA benefits.

“We are thrilled to bring together ReWalk’s world-class sales team and Myolyn’s innovative FES technology. Sales of the MyoCycle FES Cycling Therapy System are already growing rapidly and, with this partnership, Myolyn and ReWalk are poised to accelerate that growth to bring the technology to even more people who need it,” said Alan Hamlett, PhD, co-founder and CEO of Myolyn.

These neuro-rehabilitation devices are expected to be available in the U.S. starting in July.