Following its recognition with the Dezeen Design Award in 2023 in the Health & Wellbeing category, CIONIC is expanding the clinical availability of the Cionic Neural Sleeve in Colorado.
CIONIC, the pioneering neurotech company, has recently formed partnerships with UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Craig Hospital, and Neuro Physical Therapy, expanding its Centers of Excellence program. This strategic collaboration aims to revolutionize neurological care in Colorado by leveraging the innovative capabilities of the FDA-cleared Cionic Neural Sleeve.
The inclusion of these esteemed institutions underscores CIONIC’s commitment to extending the reach of its transformative technology, providing tailored solutions to individuals grappling with neurological impairments. Through the integration of the Neural Sleeve into clinical practices, patients across Colorado will gain access to cutting-edge rehabilitation solutions.
Additionally, Dr. Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD, a distinguished authority in neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis care, has joined CIONIC’s Scientific Advisory Board. With Dr. Alvarez’s expertise, the company is poised to further enhance its mission of revolutionizing the lives of individuals with mobility differences.
The Cionic Neural Sleeve, launched in 2018, integrates advanced algorithms and Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to analyze and augment human movement in real-time. Utilizing a sophisticated array of sensors, it captures muscle firing patterns and leg positions during movement, adapting and optimizing muscle activation patterns with each step taken by the wearer. This adaptive nature, coupled with its transformative impact recognized in global competitions, positions the Neural Sleeve as a groundbreaking tool in neurological rehabilitation.
Personalized Mobility Care and Clinical Evidence of the Cionic Neural Sleeve
The Cionic Neural Sleeve™ represents the first bionic clothing designed to address mobility impairment. With its FDA clearance and scientific validation, this innovative technology offers multifaceted benefits, including improved walking, increased strength and range of motion, and facilitation of muscle re-education. Controlled through the CIONIC application for iOS and Android, the Neural Sleeve provides personalized mobility care, allowing users to easily customize and manage their treatment, track progress, and share data with their healthcare team. This personalized approach ensures that individuals receive tailored support to meet their unique needs and goals.
Clinical evidence underscores the efficacy of the Cionic Neural Sleeve in enhancing mobility and function for individuals with foot drop, a common mobility impairment affecting nearly 14% of adults in the US. In a multi-site research trial, participants equipped with the Neural Sleeve experienced significant improvements in ankle dorsiflexion at heel strike, a key indicator of enhanced foot clearance during walking. Furthermore, the Neural Sleeve’s unique software-steerable stimulation array enabled a balanced approach, reducing ankle inversion during swing phase, thus mitigating the risk of falls and ankle injuries. The trial demonstrated an average combined improvement of 9° in ankle dorsiflexion and inversion across all participants, highlighting the comprehensive impact of the Neural Sleeve in addressing the complex challenges of foot drop.
CIONIC remains committed to advancing personalized mobility care through ongoing research trials and collaborations. While the initial study focused on foot drop, the company is dedicated to expanding its research initiatives to encompass a broader spectrum of mobility impairments. By continuously refining and validating the efficacy of the Neural Sleeve, CIONIC aims to empower individuals with enhanced mobility, independence, and quality of life.
AI and the Sleeve: How It Works
The Cionic Neural Sleeve represents a groundbreaking advancement in wearable technology, developed through a collaboration between California startup CIONIC and Yves Béhar’s design studio, Fuseproject. Designed as a bionic leg wrap, the Neural Sleeve utilizes functional electrical stimulation (FES) and artificial intelligence to address walking difficulties associated with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and strokes. The lightweight fabric sleeve houses a series of electrodes strategically placed above the muscles, delivering electric pulses to elicit micro-corrections in muscle movements.
Managed through a user-friendly app, the Neural Sleeve offers individuals a degree of control over the correction process, ensuring a personalized and adaptive approach to mobility enhancement.
Béhar’s innovative design approach focused on creating a comfortable and user-friendly device, with precise electrode placement and a wrap-around design secured by a Velcro closure. The project’s initial trials targeting foot drop demonstrated promising results, with participants experiencing clinically significant improvements in movement. Beyond functionality, the Neural Sleeve also embodies a sense of style and individuality, with various colorways available to users.
Cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Neural Sleeve is set to revolutionize mobility assistance, with potential applications extending beyond the legs to address a wide range of mobility impairments.
