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Jan 28, 2009 1:00 pm US/Central
High-Tech Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Introduced
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) ―
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A device called Bioness is helping patients with multiple sclerosis regain the ability to walk.
CBS
Multiple Sclerosis affects approximately 400,000 Americans. This debilitating disease results in loss of muscle control. But there's a new device to help patients cope.
Walking up stairs is a big accomplishment now for Beth Hauserman. Six months ago, she ended up in the hospital, reports CBS station KYW-TV.
"I was 95 percent paralyzed on my right side, my face had dropped, couldn't move my arm, my hand, my leg," Beth said.
The diagnosis was Multiple Sclerosis, a progressive disease that attacks the central nervous system. Her movement became very limited.
"Probably half the time, I was in a wheel chair and would use a walker and people would have to move my leg and arm for me," Beth added.
She has recovered somewhat but her leg needed help and thanks to a device called Bioness, she got it.
"The first day I had it on, I was all smiles because I was able to lift my foot," Beth said.
In M.S. patients, the brain and spinal cord are affected. Messages to control muscle movement can't be sent properly. Instead, with Bioness, electrical impulses are sent to the nerve which controls muscle movement.
And it's all wireless.
"The device that's strapped around her calf is what's stimulating the muscles in the leg, the device that fits into her shoe is actually a computer sensor that's able to detect how she's walking, how fast she's walking, the terrain," said Kristen Wilson, a therapist at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital where Beth goes for physical therapy.
With a remote, Beth is able to control the intensity of the impulses.
"I'm almost back to walking the way I was before," Beth said.
She's able to walk a treadmill, something she says would never be possible without the help of Bioness.
"I don't know if I'm ever going to get 100 percent back, but if this is it, I can deal with this," Beth said happily.
Beth also started driving again, something she couldn't do six months ago. She is also a volunteer at Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, the place that helped her get back on her feet.
The Bioness device Beth uses costs $6200, but is sometimes covered by insurance. The company also offers a rental program for patients. Bioness also has a device for hand rehabilitation.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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