FIRST hospital in Spain to use robotic device that allows patients to walk

EXOSKELETON: Hospital chiefs visited America to see the device in action. CREDIT: YouTube

A HOSPITAL in Mallorca has become the first in Spain to benefit from a robotic device which allows quadriplegic patients to walk.
The therapeutic exoskeleton was unveiled at Sant Joan de Deu on Tuesday, specifically for the use of people with spinal cord injury, brain damage and other neurological diseases.
Health bosses trialled a number of models and travelled to America to see the €120,000 device in action.
Hospital managing director, Dr Joan Carulla, said: “It is a model that can be adapted to any person, and can be used on ramps, steps and is perfectly valid for outdoor use.”
It features software that can be modified by the patient to adapt to their condition and is currently the first device of its kind in Spain.
The hospital cares for more than 200 patients with spinal cord injuries every year. The therapeutic exoskeleton was co-financed by Caixabank and Pabisa Hotels.

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Tara Rippin

Tara Rippin is a reporter for Spain’s largest English-speaking newspaper, Euro Weekly News, and is responsible for the Costa Blanca region.
She has been in journalism for more than 20 years, having worked for local newspapers in the Midlands, UK, before relocating to Spain in 1990.
Since arriving, the mother-of-one has made her home on the Costa Blanca, while spending 18 months at the EWN head office in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol.
She loves being part of a community that has a wonderful expat and Spanish mix, and strives to bring the latest and most relevant news to EWN’s loyal and valued readers.

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments