The Future is Here Now–Medically Speaking

Imagine a city full of elderly robots–well not exactly but maybe a whole population of elderly people that wouldn’t have to be hospitalized or see their doctors as often as they are now. Imagine that they are all connected to their medical professionals by wireless communication devices that report directly to their doctor as to their medical condition 24 hours a day. Imagine also that the medical bill for the population would plummet so that instead of being the third largest U.S.federal budget item (after defense and social security) it would now be perhaps the tenth. Billions of dollars would be saved because the elderly would stay home more often than be in the hospitals or nursing homes.
All this would be possible if the current trend continues that keeps baby boomers wired to their ipads and smart phones and wore skintight underclothes that contained sensors that monitored how the person was doing 24 hours a day. These and more inventions are not just science fiction but are already in experimental or actual use. Cell phones are already reminding people when to take their medicine.Switches carried around the neck or wrist that summon emergency help at the push of a button have been around for many years.
One of the largest U.S. based medical insurance companies, Humana, is already testing a thousand patients in 34 states with daily computer assisted monitors to detrmine if there is a sizeable reduction in medical costs.
In a year long British experiment it was found that emergency hospital admissions fell by 20 percent through the use of ”telehealth”. It further found that hospital stays were reduced by a quarter and readmissions fell by 14 percent. The results have caused the government to increase this project to 3 million homes over the next few years.
Some of this technology is also seen in ”telerehabilitation” where devices like the HANDTUTOR, ARMTUTOR, LEGTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are achieving major success in the field of physical rehabilitation for patients who suffered stroke, brain or spinal cord injury, upper/lower limb surgery and a host of other limb disabling diseases. The patient can do intensive exercise regimens right in his own home and the information and customization is transferred directly to the PT or OT. See WWW.MEDITOUCH.CO.IL for more information.

All in One Therapy Tool for Motor Skill Deficiency

When a human being is created he possesses two types of motor skills in order to operate his body efficiently. One is known as GROSS Motor skills and the other is FINE motor skills. These skills necessitate the coordination of the brain, nervous system and the body’s muscles. Gross motor skills are those defined as ”larger movements” such as running and jumping. These are movements that entail the use of the larger muscles in the feet, torso, legs and feet. On the other hand the fine motor skills are those that are needed to move small things. Here it may be fingers, toes, tongue and lips.
When a stroke, head/spinal injury, Parkinson’s disease, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis or other upper or lower limb injuries or surgery takes place these fine or gross motor abilities will be severly curtailed or be limited in their usage.
After initial medical attention is given to the problem and a modicum of recovery has occurred physical rehabilitation is indicated to restore normal mobility in the affected limb. The TUTOR system of physical rehabilitation solutions for such issues has been adjudged to be one of the best methods for both children and adults. Using a unique ergonomic glove or a brace that is easy to attach these devices detect even slight motion when the limb is moved to ”play” a game on dedicated software. The information thus gleaned is recorded, documented and allows the physical/occupational therapist to customize the treatment session. The treatment software provides intensive exercises with augmented feedback leading to enhanced functional rehabilitation.
These exercises are challenging and motivating and allow for repetitive training tailored to the patient’s performance. The training is tailored and customized by the occupational and physical therapist to ensure that the patient stays motivated to do intensive repetitive manual therapy and exercise practice. The physical rehabilitation tools known as HANDTUTOR, LEGTUTOR, ARMTUTOR and 3DTUTOR are now part of the rehabilitation program of leading U.S. and foreign hospitals with the TUTORs being used in clinics and in their home. Home care patients can be supported by the occupational and physical therapist through the use of tele-rehabilitation. See www.MEDITOUCH.CO.IL for more information.