San Francisco-based Roam Robotics is partnering with San Francisco VA Health Care System and San Francisco-based Northern California Institute for Research and Education to evaluate its Ascend smart brace in veterans.
Ascend is a knee orthosis designed to relieve pain and support motion, according to a Dec. 7 news release.
"Veterans suffer from musculoskeletal conditions such as knee arthritis at higher rates than the general population," Alfred Kuo, MD, PhD, chief of orthopedic surgery of the San Francisco VA Health Care System, said in a news release. "We don't have great treatment options for many of these patients, especially ones who have moderate disease. The Ascend brace has the potential to substantially improve pain, stability and function."
A clinical study of the device showed an average of 46 percent pain reduction, and 67 percent of patients in the study exhibited functional improvement when using it, according to the release.