The “MuSmate” in actionGeo-physicist Ken Armitage has developed a fantastic new walking, initially created for his wife who suffers from multiple sclerosis.
The “MuSmate” walking aid is marvellous in its simplicity. It elicits the “slap your hand on your forehead, why didn’t I think of this” response when you see it. In essence, it comprises of a shoulder harness and a bungee cord that connects to the shoe and comes in both one sided and double sided (both lower limbs) versions. The bungee cord helps the wearer lift their leg.
Although no trials have been performed yet, anecdotal evidence from the Armitages is that using the “MuSmate” both significantly increases walking speed and endurance.
From: BBC News
Homemade walking aid tackles MS (excerpt)
Geoff Adams-Spink
BBC News website age & disability correspondent
...Ken Armitage and wife Anne were trying to reach a pub on Dartmoor in time for a cream tea.
Mr Armitage improvised using his rucksack and a bungee strap, and the couple made it in time for tea.
His MuSmate walking aid was in line for a best new product award at a leading UK disability show, Naidex, at the NEC in Birmingham...
...The Armitages - together with a partner, Andrew Wynd - have formed a company to market the MuSmate to the public.
The device consists of a shoulder harness and an elasticated cord connected the wearer's shoe.
They are hoping it will help people with MS, cerebral palsy, those recovering from strokes and adrenoleukodystrophy, a condition similar to MS...
...Mr Armitage uses the elastic cord to help people whose muscles won't allow them to lift their feet during that part of the walking cycle.
"We found a way of transferring energy from the strong muscles in the thigh and back to the ones that weren't working..."
...The next stage in the product's development was to have it tested by a larger group of people. The South-West MS Society helped by coming up with around 20 volunteers...
...The volunteers also reported - though this was not measured scientifically - that the distance that they were able to walk increased by up to 600%.
Wearers reported that walking without the MuSmate had also improved...
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