Force-Induced Treadmill
ALLIANCE FOR INNOVATIVE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY / REHAB ENGINEERING
n Product Description
n Competitive Advantages
Horizontal treadmill and harness to perform exercise
testing and prescription on a level surface at a speed
that is self-selected by the patient. Equipment and
algorithms allow determination of VO2Max and
workrate similar to standard protocols.
Patients can perform testing and exercise at their
own walking pace, with resistive or assistive forces
applied to the treadmill to change the work load.
This may be advantageous for patients with limited
gait speed or balance impairment. The patient is in a
harness which eliminates the chance of a slip or fall
during the procedure. The treadmill starts and stops
based on the patient walking rather than the patient
reacting to the treadmill motion. The security of a flat
surface at a constant speed minimizes the desire of
patients to grab the handrail and may allow patients
to push further since the chance of a slip or fall is
eliminated. This may be especially advantageous for
patients with osteoporosis, diabetics with peripheral
neuropathy and stroke/ brain injury patients.
n Technical Readiness Level
TLR 4 (Component validation in a laboratory
environment) Prototype made with manual resistive
force apparatus and evaluated with healthy
volunteers. Automated system designed.
n Intellectual Property Status
Patent application filed.
PLEASE CONTACT
Bob Hergenrother / Director, Medical Technology Development / Southern Research
rhergenrother@southernresearch.org / 205.581.2328
Force-Induced Treadmill
ALLIANCE FOR INNOVATIVE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY / REHAB ENGINEERING
n Market Overview
nInventor
Target patient populations are those who have
gait and balance problems where walking/ running
exercise would be beneficial, such as stroke
victims or people with Parkinson’s disease. Frail
people (e.g. osteoporosis) who fear falls would
also be a target. Team has conducted interviews
to obtain feedback from potential prescribers
and users. At UAB, there are about 1100 acute
stroke patients each year and a similar number of
spinal cord injuries. Stroke patients in rehab use
equipment 2-3 times/ week.
David Brown Ph.D.
UAB Department of Physical Therapy
Christopher Hurt Ph.D.
UAB Department of Physical Therapy
Marcas Bamman Ph.D.
UAB Department of Physiology and Biophysics
ABOUT SOUTHERN RESEARCH
Founded in 1941 in Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Research is a scientific and engineering research organization
that conducts preclinical drug discovery and development, advanced engineering research in materials, systems
development, and energy and environmental technologies research. SR supports clients and partners in the
pharmaceutical, biotechnology, defense, aerospace, environmental, and energy industries.
We pursue entrepreneurial and collaborative initiatives to develop and maintain a pipeline of intellectual property
and innovative technologies that contribute to the growth of the organization and positively impact
real-world problems.
www.SouthernResearch.org
ABOUT UAB
Known for its innovative and interdisciplinary approach to education at both the graduate and undergraduate
levels, the University of Alabama at Birmingham is an internationally renowned research university and academic
medical center, as well as Alabama’s largest employer, with some 23,000 employees, and has an annual economic
impact exceeding $5 billion on the state. The five pillars of UAB’s mission include education, research, patient
care, community service and economic development. UAB is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Center for
Translational Science Award.
www.uab.edu