Cionic rolling out software update for Neural Sleeve wearable device

Cionic is rolling out an update for the software that powers its Neural Sleeve, a wearable device — worn on the leg — that’s designed to aid in mobility for people with neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

The new updates include a suite of functional exercises tailored to aid with day-to-day activities, such as going up a set of stairs, standing up out of a chair, and walking, all of which can be challenging for MS patients. The update also includes new software tools allowing individuals with MS to track their progress in using the device.

The new software update will be made available to all subscribers at once upon release, according to Cionic.

“At Cionic, we are obsessed with improving function for the millions living with impaired mobility. We continually evaluate our offering and incorporate customer feedback to introduce meaningful changes through software updates,” Jeremiah Robison, Cionic’s founder and CEO, said in a company press release.

“By providing a wider variety of functional movement training and detailed progress reports, we’re empowering our users with more tools to increase their functional mobility and independence,” Robison said.

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Neural Sleeve wearable device has won multiple honors and awards

The Neural Sleeve is a lightweight, flexible device that’s worn on the legs. Controlled via a smartphone, the device is able to detect movements to predict motion. It then delivers electrical stimulation to activate specific muscles in the thigh and leg to adjust those particular movements.

Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2022, Neural Sleeve is now available in 47 states. Studies have suggested that the wearable device can improve mobility for people with MS, countering a disease symptom called foot drop in which the front of the foot drags on the ground while walking. It also eases pain and can help to improve patients’ mental health, according to its developer.

As a person living with multiple sclerosis for 35 years, a physical therapist for 48 years, and a user of the Cionic Sleeve for one year, I can, without reservation, state that this is the most life-changing medical device I have seen developed during my PT career.

Patty Glatfelter, an MS patient and physical therapist (PT) who has been using the Neural Sleeve for a year, said the device has brought her and others in the MS community “hope, function, and safety.”

“As a person living with multiple sclerosis for 35 years, a physical therapist for 48 years, and a user of the Cionic Sleeve for one year, I can, without reservation, state that this is the most life-changing medical device I have seen developed during my PT career,” Glatfelter said.

Cionic’s Neural Sleeve has won numerous honors and accolades. Most recently, at the 2024 Edison Awards — which honors innovations in new product and service development — the sleeve was named the Gold winner in the Wearable and Implantable Medical Devices category, the company said.

According to Cionic, this award “is a testament to the transformative power of combining advanced technology with a patient-centered approach, where advancements in software continue to redefine the possibilities for data insights, recovery, and independence for patients with mobility challenges.”