WHITE PLAINS, NY – Dec. 10, 2012 – For nearly 100 years, the Burke Rehabilitation Hospital has been at the forefront of rehabilitation care. As part of its commitment to helping patients make the greatest recovery possible following an illness or injury, Burke continues to make investments in technology that betters the lives of its patients. Not only does Burke remain abreast of these technological advances to provide the best care for patients, but along with the Burke Research Institute and Weill Cornell Medical College, Burke is helping to develop novel technology to push beyond the traditional limits of recovery through on-going research studies on campus.

Burke continually invests in new technology that aids patients and therapists in the rehabilitation process. Some key pieces of equipment currently available for use by Burke patients’ include:

• EMPI electric stimulators – Used to relax muscle spasms, increase local blood circulation, maintain or increase range of motion, and slow or prevent muscle atrophy.
• RT300 Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Cycle Ergometry System – Electrical current stimulates nerves to evoke muscle contractions in the arms and legs, enabling muscles to perform active cycling even if voluntary control of muscles has been lost.
• LiteGait Partial Weight Bearing Gait Therapy Device – Allows individuals to comfortably walk in a secure environment, greatly reducing the risk for falls.
• Robotics Research – The inMotion Technology upper extremity robots assist patients with reduced mobility from stroke or brain injury to gain better movement and dexterity.
• WalkAide System – Battery operated medical device that uses myo-orthotics technology, combining electrical stimulation with orthotic technology in the treatment of foot drop. It is used to improve independence, functional mobility and safety.
• SaeboFlex – Allows individuals suffering from neurological impairments such as stroke the ability to incorporate their hand functionally in therapy and at home by supporting the weakened wrist, hand and fingers. The SaeboFlex is a custom fabricated orthosis that is non-electrically based and is purely mechanical.
• NESS H200 Hand Rehabilitation System – Neuro-orthotic and rehabilitation system that provides electrical currents to stimulate nerves and muscles to increase hand function, prevent muscle loss, re-educate muscles, increase blood circulation, reduce muscle spasms, and increase or maintain hand range of motion.
• NESS L300 Plus Foot Drop System – Neuro-orthotic and rehabilitation system that provides electrical currents to stimulate nerves and muscles to assist with a more natural walking pattern, reduce muscle spasms, reduce muscle loss, maintain or improve range of motion and increase local blood circulation; used to improve independence, functional mobility and safety in the treatment of foot drop.

As part of Burke’s on-going commitment to providing patients with the most-advanced therapeutic devices, the hospital will be sponsoring a free screening day of new equipment offered by Bioness Inc. on Dec. 17 from 8 am to 4 pm at the Burke’s Outpatient Department, building #8, room #106, on the Burke campus, 785 Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains. Members of the community who have trouble walking or have limited use of their hands as a result of a stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, spinal cord injury or cerebral palsy are invited to attend this free screening event. No appointment is necessary during the screening day. For more information about the upcoming screening day, please contact Ben Gilbert, PT, manager of the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department, at (914) 597-2527.

The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital is a private, not-for-profit, acute rehabilitation hospital. Founded in 1915, it is the only hospital in Westchester County dedicated solely to rehabilitation medicine. Burke offers both inpatient and outpatient programs for those who have experienced a disabling illness, traumatic injury or joint replacement surgery. Burke is both an acute rehabilitation hospital and medical research center.  Burke’s world renowned doctors and therapists provide state-of-the-art ­treatment, while its research scientists explore the frontiers of neurological medicine. All share the Burke mission to ensure that every patient makes the fullest possible recovery from illness or injury.

[Photo: Victor Pena, a spinal cord injury patient at Burke's Outpatient Department, is walking again with the help of ReWalk and Burke physical therapists. The ReWalk is a wearable, motorized exoskeleton unit that helps restore mobility—from standing to walking and climbing stairs—to people who have suffered a spinal cord injury. ]