Ekso Bionics Expands Partnership With Kindred Healthcare for Exoskeleton Orders

Assistive technology maker Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc. today said it has expanded its partnership with Kindred Healthcare LLC. Richmond, Calif.-based Ekso said it will supply its EksoNR to four of Kindred’s long-term, acute-care hospitals in Florida. The multi-unit order follows a successful pilot of the exoskeleton last year.

“We are excited to expand our partnership with Ekso Bionics and build on our leadership position in acute patient services with the addition of these innovative EksoNR devices,” stated Mike Warrington, president of Kindred Healthcare’s Hospital Division. “The EksoNR, combined with its specialized gait training, has proven to deliver game-changing results in helping patients relearn how to walk following a devastating stroke, brain injury, or spinal cord injury.”

Louisville, Ky.-based Kindred Healthcare delivers health services in its long-term acute care (LTAC) hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, acute rehabilitation units, and behavioral health line of business. Founded in 2005, Ekso Bionics has developed exoskeletons to support or amplify human strength, endurance, and mobility across both medical and industrial applications.

EksoNR becomes 'standard of care'

EksoNR is designed to empower patients recovering from acquired brain injury, stroke, and spinal cord injury, said Ekso Bionics. The wearable robotic device can help them learn to walk again with a more natural gait, it said.

The exoskeleton's features include posture and clinician control, SmartAssist software, adaptive gait training, and pre-ambulatory tools. It aims to help patients to be mobile earlier and to restore independence, according to the company.

"EksoNR has become a standard of care within Kindred’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospitals by driving patient outcomes in neurorehabilitation through early mobility and gait training," said Ekso.

In 2019, Kindred executed a proof of concept in the Houston LTAC market. After a successful implementation, it launched three additional Ekso programs in the Houston metro area in 2020.

Kindred recently added acute inpatient rehabilitation units (ARUs) to select LTAC hospitals across the country. They offer a continuum of care intended to help patients recover from the debilitating effects of an acute injury, impairment, or illness such as stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopedic injury, neurological conditions, amputation, and trauma.

The LTAC locations incorporating EksoNR technology will be at Kindred’s hospitals in Green Cove Springs, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, and Melbourne.

“Our robust partnership and this multi-unit order with Kindred are a testament to our shared goals and patient-driven values,” said Jack Peurach, president and CEO of Ekso Bionics. “As the first network to explore the benefits of EksoNR in the LTAC setting, Kindred has always been at the forefront of patient care. We look forward to continue advancing our relationship throughout the Kindred network."