iWalk announces availability of BiOM bionic lower limb system for above-knee amputees

iWalk, the personal bionics company advancing technology to restore natural movement for lower-limb amputees, today announced the availability of its BiOM bionic lower limb system for above-knee amputees (BiOM AK). The new BiOM AK is an ankle system that works with select microprocessor knees to restore natural motion through personalized bionic technology. Personal bionic devices are fundamentally redefining the standard of care for those with limb loss by not merely emulating human function, but enhancing it.

The BiOM has advanced the craft of prosthetics using the science of bionics to replicate lost muscles and tendons. The BiOM's unique technology delivers a powered 'push-off' that propels an amputee forward and normalizes their gait. This personal bionic system is the world's first proven bionic intervention that utilizes robotics to restore the function of the missing anatomy in the calf muscle and Achilles tendon.

"I still can't get over the feel of the lift and the amount of energy that the device provides me on a regular basis," said Judy Gray, a BiOM AK user. "I walk more and more each day without pain or any need for anti-inflammatory or pain relief medication. It has taken over 38 years, but I finally feel like I have my leg back."

The BiOM AK provides above-knee amputees with the same benefits that below-knee amputees using the BiOM already enjoy:

• A personalized experience: Personal bionics is a unique fitting process that involves the use of a computer to overlay an accepted range of natural motion for the gait cycle. The BiOM is then adjusted for that individual to perform within "normal" parameters. The device is then further adjusted to fit the preferences of the wearer. No device has ever personalized the gait cycle to such a customized level of precision.
• Restored ankle motion and powered plantar flexion: The movement in walking where the ankle pushes the foot down and back to propel the prosthesis and the user forward. The BiOM's replication of this movement may alleviate comorbidities such as lower back pain and knee pain osteoarthritis as suggested by a published study.
• Normalized metabolic costs and walking speeds: Amputees using the BiOM require no more effort to walk than non-amputees as confirmed in another study. Additionally, independent research from leading rehabilitation organizations shows that patients wearing the BiOM system can walk at more regular speeds—nearly 40 percent faster than using competitive solutions.

"Bionic technology is the most transcendent development in the history of patient care for those living with limb loss," said Tim McCarthy, iWalk president and CEO. "Our personal bionics solutions reflect this promise by restoring natural motion for the amputee—alleviating comorbidities and improving their overall health. No other prosthetic technology even comes close to matching this performance."