RehabAngel

Through collaboration between the NHS, Academia and UK Industry, spearheaded by Cheshire East Community Health, the unique device, aptly termed RehabAngel®, provides for greater ankle and foot stability whilst strengthening lower leg muscles. As a consequence the number of injuries experienced by athletes when undertaking normal exercises could be reduced. Importantly, the device allows rehabilitation of the lower limb in a more controlled manner more so than any other type of device currently on the market. The RehabAngel is the brain child of NHS Specialist Podiatrist, Neil Frame of Central and Eastern Cheshire Primary Care Trust. Neil commented that "the idea came about as a result of my long term interest in biomechanics. I am dyslexic and have always believed that this has helped me analyse and understand the intricacies of human movement from a different perspective." Recognising the value and importance of Neil's idea to the field of sports rehabilitation and that of main stream Physiotherapy and Podiatry, TrusTECH, the NHS Innovation Hub for the North West, and Medical Devices Technology International Ltd (MDTi) based in Wolverhampton, have worked closely with academic partners in the Allied Health Professions Research Cluster University of Central Lancashire, to bring about a device that is evidence based and demonstrates world class ability of UK design, technology and manufacturing. Professor Jim Richards of The University of Central Lancashire stated "the RehabAngel offers a graduated incline or decline angles which may be used for ankle stretching or knee rehabilitation. Research conducted shows clear evidence that using the RehabAngel provides a controlled graduated rehabilitation environment for lower limb stretching and squatting tasks."
Mike Farrar, Chief Executive of NHS North West, and Sports Tsar to the Department of Health commented "the NHS in the North West has the enviable reputation of being at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. The RehabAngel is a great example of the NHS working successfully in partnership with industry to offer great benefits to patients recovering from sports related injuries, knee surgeries and those whose health is impacted by long term conditions"
Martin Levermore CEO of MDTi said, "We are always astonished by the ideas that are brought to us from our NHS partners. The RehabAngel is a demonstration of British manufacturing meeting the quality innovation productivity and prevention agenda of the UK Government. We are proud to be associated with this innovation that strives for improvement in patient care."

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• incline
• decline
• physiotherapy
• rehabilitation
• NHS
• Cheshire East Community Health
• sport injury
• Neil Frame
• MDTi
• TrusTECH