CAPABILITIES

  • Developing and testing interventions that improve mobility and prevent secondary complications after neural injury or disease.
  • Investigation of the physiological, cellular and molecular ramification of injury
  • Studying injury biomechanics and instrumentation such as impact exposure in athletes
  • Developing methods to enhance neuroplasticity to improve the effects of rehabilitation and functional outcomes.
  • Work in restoring the gut microbiome resulting in improvements in anxiety (mental health) in rodents with spinal cord injury
  • Research investigations involving persons with spinal cord injury
  • Developed a functional electrical stimulation (FES)-assisted arm and leg cycling paradigm that has resulted in larger improvements in over-ground walking capacity than those produced by paradigms focused on training the legs alone
  • Developing methods to combine the use of FES and exoskeletons to improve mobility in people with paralysis
  • Combining FES for active contraction of muscles with exoskeletons, which passively move the legs, to produce longer walking distances than currently
  • Developing slimmer and lighter exoskeletons with batteries that can last for longer durations than currently possible
  • Developing interventions to prevent secondary complications associated with neural injury or disease
  • Developing surface electrical stimulation and training paradigms that would reduce spasticity in individuals with spinal cord injury and stroke
  • Investigating factors leading to deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
  • Validating and implementing wearable devices and digital solutions in the treatment of respiratory diseases


  • Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer​​

  • High-density EMG system

  • Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulator

  • Bodyweight supported walking system

  • ​Woodway treadmill with embedded force plates

  • Electrophysiological amplifier systems

  • Digitimer stimulators

  • Transcranial magnetic stimulator system

  • Motion analysis systems

  • Vicon motion tracking system

  • Functional electrical stimulation (FES) bikes (Ergys, RTI and Birkel bikes)

  • Indego FES powered exoskeleton

  • Bilateral Kinarm exoskeleton

Indego FES powered exoskeleton 

PEDAR pressure sensing insoles 

  • Injury assessment models
  • Force Plates
  • Inertial sensors
  • Electromyography - Wired and wireless systems
  • Pressure insoles
  • Galvanic skin response sensor
  • ​Wobble board
  • Caren system
  • Electroencephalography 
    ​(EEG) system
  • High speed camera system
  • High rate transducers
  • Data acquisition systems
  • ​Biomechanical impact assessment equipment
  • Examination beds
  • Person transfer systems
  • ​Pressure mattress systems
  • Sewing machines

Impactor to assess head impact

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Redliner to assess shoulder exertion

EQUIPMENT

This core develops new rehabilitation interventions that harness multiple networks in the nervous system for restoring function using innovative training strategies augmented with pharmacological assistance, cell-based therapies and devices.

 This core also promotes the development of cost-effective interventions for preventing secondary complications after neural injury
​or disease.

EEG and bilateral kinarm

FES bike