nir-vana innovation network

Portuguese company, active in the field of design, development and implementation of technological medical devices developed a new medical device that is a balance platform and is part of the next-generation products based on visual biofeedback to support physical therapy and rehabilitation activities.

The product is directed to physical therapy clinics, physical rehabilitation centres, sports clubs, podiatry clinics and vestibular clinics.

Its applicability can be grouped into four areas: physical therapy and rehabilitation (muscle functions, proprioceptive functions, mobility functions), active ageing (preventing risk of falling, load transfers, dynamic movements up and sitting down, training standards activity), sports (management and evolution of injuries/lesions) and vestibular rehabilitation (visual stimulation, sensory system analysis).

It has 11 balance assessment protocols and more than 20 exercises for rehabilitation, with several functionalities:
- Balance and stability
- Load transfers
- Proprioception
- Load distribution
- Therapeutic exercise
- Therapeutic games
- Plantar pressure map
- Fall risk

The device has a CE certification and has the following technical specifications:
Size: 61 x 58 cm
Thickness: 1 cm
Weight: 4 kg
Portable
Active surface: 40 x 40 cm
Sensors number: 1600
Maximum pressure: 100 N/cm2
Connection/power: USB
Frequency: 100 Hz

Package contents:
1 physic platform
1 technical manual
1 USB cable

The Portuguese SME is looking for commercial agency agreements and distribution services agreements with agents and distributors willing to promote the medical device within physical therapy and rehabilitation market.

Advantages & innovations

The main advantages are visual biofeedback to both patient and health professional; their involvement in the recovery process. Benefits to the clinic / hospital center: - Technological differentiation and diversity - Attractivity - Excellence service Benefits for users: - Simple interface - Proactive rehabilitation process - Real-time results - Motivation - Goal setting Benefits for health professionals: - Objective data - Registration of developments - Treatment process tailoring depending on user ’s evolution Economic benefits: - Possibility of new business models - Time: patient more independent with supervision of health professional Innovations: - An unique device with modules for evaluation, therapeutic exercise, module to feet pressure map and game therapy - Possibility to integrate with kinect sensor The biggest distinguishing factor regarding to competition is to have in the same equipment an unique device with modules for evaluation, therapeutic exercise, module to feet pressure map and game therapy

Stage of development

Already on the market

Partner sought

The Portuguese company is looking for medical devices distributors and/or commercial agents with a background knowledge in the therapy and physical rehabilitation market. The potential partners are expected to be an active commercial agent or dealer. For distribution services agreements, it is expected that the potential partner could disseminate/distribute the medical device in the healthcare market. E.g. resellers or retailers who want to complete their range of products of their portfolio. For commercial agency agreements, it is expected that the potential partner could represent the Portuguese product and brand among potential stakeholders, such as hospitals, clinics, healthcare centres, among others.