Due to a muscle disease, Clémentine Bernard has been dependent on a wheelchair since the age of eight. Without it, and her golden retriever Rossi, she would not be able to go about her daily life. However, recently the 42-year-old has been able to take part in a special exercise at the rehabilitation centre. After some preparation, Bernard is suddenly able to stand up again, and even manages to take steps. She says that this reminds her of movements she has not done in a long time. In fact, Bernard does not know how to walk, but the machine returns this ability to her.
The exoskeleton was developed by Wandercraft, a French start-up. While there are a number of similar machines on the market, this particular model is the only one which does not require the patient to lean on crutches while using it. Nicolas Simon, one of the co-founders of Wandercraft, explains that the exoskeleton is made up of 12 engines, which can imitate every movement made by a human leg. According to Simon, the machine is "filled to the brim" with sensors, which carry out thousands of calculations per second to determine how to keep everything in balance and how to simulate natural movements.
During her exercises, Bernard has to be accompanied at all times by two physiotherapists. In any case, the 80 kg exoskeleton is too big and cumbersome to be used in daily life. However, the device is an extremely important instrument in re-education. It allows patients to achieve a lot of progress in a relatively short amount of time. Dr Thierry Debugne, neurologist at the rehabilitation centre, stresses that in classic rehabilitation, patients usually manage to take 50 steps per session. But with this system, they easily manage to take around 1,000 steps per session, which is substantially more progress in the same amount of time.
However, this important technology has its price. This particular model costs €170,000. The one currently in use at the rehabilitation centre was not purchased with public funds but donated by the Wonschstär Foundation. The Centre's general director, Dr Gaston Schütz, stresses that the exoskeleton will also be made available to other people, and not just the Centre's patients.
In order for this to work, however, it must first be settled who will pay for the sessions. In some countries, this type of treatment is covered by public health funds or nursing care insurance. Luxembourg is not one of those countries. This is why Viviane Vermeer, the president of the Wonschstär Foundation, does not want to leave it at financing the exoskeleton and intends to push for the responsible insurers to cover the costs in Luxembourg as well.
As for Clémentine Bernard, she would love to have a smaller, less cumbersome exoskeleton at home, in order to cook herself a meal again.
