Yiran Rehabilitation

Shanghai Yiran Rehabilitation Equipment Co., Ltd. operates as a Sino-US joint venture established in partnership with Cadence Biomedical, a Seattle-based medical device company. The company focuses on developing and commercializing accessible, wearable exoskeleton rehabilitation devices for patients with neurological conditions including stroke, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy.

Company Overview

Yiran Rehabilitation was formed through a strategic partnership between Chinese healthcare investors, rehabilitation specialists, and the American firm Cadence Biomedical. The collaboration aims to introduce clinically proven rehabilitation technologies from the United States into the Chinese market while adapting them for local healthcare environments.

The company positions itself in the passive exoskeleton segment, differentiating from powered rehabilitation robots by offering mechanical devices that do not require external power sources. This approach addresses cost and accessibility barriers that often limit rehabilitation robot adoption in community settings and home environments.

Yiran Rehabilitation was recognized as a Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology SME in 2020, reflecting its commitment to technological innovation in the rehabilitation sector.

Core Products

Kickstart Walk Assist System (Yixing Series)

The flagship product line uses patented Exotendon technology inspired by equine hindlimb biomechanics. The system stores elastic potential energy during the stance phase of gait and releases it during the swing phase, providing support and assistance without requiring motors or batteries.

Three product variants serve different clinical scenarios:

• Hospital Edition: Designed for institutional rehabilitation settings with adjustable configurations
• Home Edition: Simplified version for community and home-based rehabilitation
• Pediatric Edition (KS180): Adapted sizing and mechanics for children with neurological conditions

All variants have obtained NMPA Class I medical device registration and ISO 13485 quality management certification.

Technology & Innovation

The core Exotendon technology functions as an artificial tendon system:

• Energy Storage: Elastic components capture potential energy during the weight-bearing stance phase
• Energy Release: Stored energy assists leg swing during the non-weight-bearing phase
• Passive Operation: No motors, batteries, or external power required
• Lightweight Design: Reduced weight compared to powered exoskeletons improves wearability

Clinical research conducted with Tongji University Affiliated Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital and the University of Nebraska demonstrated improvements in balance metrics, walking efficiency, and gait parameters among stroke patients using the system. The findings were published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation (JNER), a Q1-ranked rehabilitation medicine journal with an impact factor of 3.582.

Market Presence

The company has obtained regulatory approvals beyond China, including medical device market access permits in Singapore and Malaysia (December 2020). International distribution is supported through a partnership with DanMedik for Southeast Asian markets.

Target application scenarios include:

• Hospital rehabilitation departments
• Community rehabilitation centers
• Home-based rehabilitation programs
• Elderly care facilities

Key Milestones

• 2019: Company established as Sino-US joint venture
• 2020: Recognized as Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology SME
• 2020: Obtained Singapore and Malaysia market access permits
• 2020: Launched Kickstart Home Edition at Shanghai International Elderly Care Expo
• 2021: Yixing KS180 Pediatric Edition received NMPA Class I registration
• 2021: Clinical research published in JNER
• 2021: Received China Disabled Persons’ Federation research grant
• 2022: Won CMEF Top 10 Innovative Technology Products Award
• 2022: Won iFlytek AI Developer Competition (Rehabilitation Robot Track)
• 2022: Won IRIC China SMILE Award for Best Innovative Product
• 2022: Yixing Personal Edition included in Shanghai Smart Health Elderly Product Catalog

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions can Kickstart help treat?

The Kickstart system is designed for patients with neurological conditions affecting lower limb function, including stroke (hemiplegia), spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and pediatric cerebral palsy. It assists with gait training, balance improvement, and walking efficiency enhancement.

Does Kickstart require charging or power?

No. Unlike powered exoskeletons, Kickstart uses passive mechanical energy storage and release. The Exotendon technology functions without motors, batteries, or external power sources, making it suitable for home use and reducing operational complexity.

Is Yiran Rehabilitation’s technology original?

The core Kickstart technology was originally developed by Cadence Biomedical in the United States and has multiple US patents. Yiran Rehabilitation, as the Sino-US joint venture partner, has localized the technology for the Chinese market with NMPA registration and ISO 13485 certification.