Orthopedic “armor” invention helps Russia’s disabled
Published: 11 July, 2009, 10:31
There is new hope for people who have been paralyzed with the invention of a so-called orthopedic “armor”, which is defying doctors’ prognoses by allowing patients to both stand and walk.
This piece of sculpture is designed to fit its customer perfectly. Made of a plastic-like material and placed around a steel skeleton, the simple device is called “armor for the disabled”.
Just one small step contradicts everything the doctors have been telling Aleksey Filatov ever since he was paralyzed in a car accident.
He still can’t feel his feet, but with his armor he can walk on them.
“Unlike similar devices this device is very light and it doesn’t take a lot of time to put it on. It helps to get into the car and use the wheelchair much less. It can also be worn under trousers,” Aleksey says.
 “Armor” production begins with making a plaster cast |
The invention is the brainchild of another disabled man, also called Aleksey. Eight years of being confined to bed left him determined to prove the doctors wrong.
“The armor is not going to help you jump or play football. But they can allow you to do some things which were previously inaccessible. To allow people to stand up is very important. It helps to solve the psychological problems of the disabled,” says Aleksey Nalogin, inventor of the armor for the disabled.
Now his armor is available to anyone who needs it. Aleksey's invention is already helping children, and the doctors say the armor has shown impressive results.
“The beauty of Aleksey’s invention is that each piece of armor is handmade to fit the patient perfectly. After production the armor is adjusted on the patient several times to guarantee the best medical effect. That’s something similar devices made on the production line cannot do,” says sports doctor Dmitry Kiselev.
Aleksey says being disabled in Russia is difficult. Public transport and streets are not fully equipped for those who are physically impaired, but the inventor says this armor is a step towards making Russia disabled-friendly.
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Well done Aleksey, they say need is the mother of invention! I find it great from two angles, one that someone innovates from within, they don't just expect someone else to fix things, they overcome problems in a self driven manner. This is an excellent driving force for innovation, find a problem and then solve it. Secondly I like that it addresses the real world, it doesn't just wait to change the world, or expect the world to change, instead it says, lets help us play in the game to the maximum, and you are most welcome! I am sure a root cause fix for paralyis will be more about bridging the break in the nervous system, however, ideas and concepts like this, which offer immediate benefit, are to applauded, and who knows, because invention can be strange, where this will take us. I am sure this concept will be developed on, and will find a permanent place, especially where there has been some major tissue loss. Great stuff! Keep Walking!
Although the use of assistive technology can help disabled and Deaf people of the Russian Federation to lead more independent lives, the Government needs to ensure that it promotes an extensive programme of legislation to protect these citizens. In addition the Government needs to adopt extensive projects on making the Russian Federation accessible. In particular the issues of transport, education, health and quality employment with real prospects of career progression, are absolutely vital for the estimated 15,000.000 disabled and Deaf citizens of the Russian Federation and I believe that the work needs to be detailed, coordinated and include disabled and Deaf people in the planning and delivery of these projects. The time is now.