"Using Myomo to practice drinking from a cup was really meaningful to me. The last time I drank from a cup (using my affected arm) was in 1987! We think so highly of the Myomo device."

—- 59-year-old woman, treated with Myomo 19 years post stroke

"It's been almost two years since I trained with the Myomo device and my recovery has been maintained. Cooking, dressing, shopping, turning on light switches, opening cabinets — it's easier now that I have two arms again."

—- 32-year-old woman, treated with Myomo 1.5 years post stroke

"For 20 years, I’ve thought about picking up my arm and moving it, and all of the sudden, I am moving it now like I used to. My arm has woken up. I am more aware of it, and find I use it unconsciously."

—- 40-year-old woman, treated with Myomo 20 years post stroke

"Before my stroke, I used to play basketball with my daughter in our yard. What is funny is that I have been dying to bounce a ball. I mean really bounce a ball! And, I did that with one of the therapists. I was like, 'Wow! I really did it!' It was difficult and hard to control, but I did it myself."

—- 43-year-old woman, treated with Myomo 8 years post stroke

myomo mPower 1000 -- Myoelectric Powered Brace Technology

What Is It

The Myomo™ mPower 1000 is a portable, lightweight arm brace that restores movement to a weakened arm as a result of neuromuscular damage.  The product incorporates a noninvasive myoelectric platform technology in a wearable device that enables a person to initiate-and-control their own motion.  The portable arm brace has been proven effective facilitating functional repetitive task practices during therapy.  The mPower 1000 technology does not use electrical impulses or stimulation. It reads weak muscle signals and sends it to the device’s signal processor which allows a person to move their affected arm.

How It Works

Patented EMG (electromyography) control software continuously monitors and senses, but does not stimulate, the affected muscles. The patient self initiates and achieves natural movement patterns by their own muscular signals that indicate intention to move. The system senses even a very weak EMG muscle signal and then processes data to a motor on the device that enables desired motion. This processing occurs so quickly that it is not apparent to the patient. Importantly, the EMG-driven device requires that patients are actively engaged throughout the movement; if they stop, the device stops. No electrical stimulation or invasive procedures are employed.

Indications For Use

The Myomo System is indicated for use to (1) facilitate muscle re-education and (2) maintain or increase range of motion.

What An Initial Session Would Entail

  • First, the device is easily fit to the patient using padding to customize the fit.
  • Next, the sensor is placed on the skin’s surface above the biceps and triceps
  • With the push of a button, it automatically calibrates in seconds using the myoelectric signal of the patient’s muscle.
  • Lastly, the clinician can quickly customize the amount of assist needed for smooth movement based on patient ability.
 

During therapy, the therapist can also easily adjust the level of power assist based on the patient’s performance. Due to the transparent nature of the device, the therapist is still able to provide manual guidance and cuing to the patient when needed.  The mPower 1000 can be used in therapy to facilitate Reptitive Task Practice.

As you can see in the video, the patient initiates all motion, while the Myomo device assists in providing accurate controlled assistance, and feedback. With this capability, the Myomo device helps the patient reinforce movements within normal limits of the task, based on the expertise of the patient's treating therapist