Kickstart Walk Assist System

Developed through the Sino-US joint venture between Yiran Rehabilitation and Cadence Biomedical, the Kickstart Walk Assist System (marketed as Yixing/奕行 in China) represents a distinct approach to gait rehabilitation. Unlike powered exoskeletons requiring motors and batteries, Kickstart employs passive mechanical energy storage to assist walking without external power.

Product Overview

The Kickstart system addresses a fundamental challenge in rehabilitation robotics: balancing clinical effectiveness with accessibility. Powered exoskeletons, while offering sophisticated assistance, typically require institutional settings, trained operators, and significant capital investment. Kickstart’s passive design enables deployment in community centers and home environments while maintaining therapeutic benefit.

The product is available in two configurations:

• Hospital Edition (医院款): Full-featured system with broad adjustability for institutional rehabilitation departments
• Home Edition (家庭版/个人款): Streamlined version designed for patient self-use in community and home settings

Both versions share the core Exotendon technology and have obtained NMPA Class I medical device registration along with ISO 13485 quality management certification.

Key Features

For stroke and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, Yiran Rehabilitation’s Kickstart system provides passive mechanical gait assistance using patented Exotendon energy storage — with no motors, batteries, or charging required.

• Exotendon Biomechanics: Patented artificial tendon technology inspired by equine hindlimb anatomy stores elastic energy during stance phase and releases it during swing phase
• Zero External Power: No motors, batteries, or charging required; purely mechanical operation
• Lightweight Construction: Reduced weight compared to powered alternatives improves patient acceptance and wearability
• Multi-Joint Design: Flexible multi-joint orthosis integrated with the exotendon mechanism
• Adjustable Fit: Customizable sizing accommodates different patient body types

Technical Specifications

For neurological gait impairment, the Kickstart Walk Assist system delivers NMPA Class I-certified passive lower-limb assistance through elastic Exotendon energy storage and release, with no external power source required.

Clinical Applications

The system targets patients with neurological conditions affecting gait function:

Primary Indications:

• Stroke with hemiplegia
• Spinal cord injury (incomplete)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Other acquired brain injuries

Clinical Benefits Demonstrated:

• Improved standing balance (weight-bearing symmetry)
• Enhanced walking efficiency
• Gait pattern normalization
• Increased walking speed

Research conducted at Tongji University Affiliated Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital in collaboration with the University of Nebraska evaluated the system’s effectiveness in stroke patients. The study, published in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, demonstrated measurable improvements in balance metrics, 10-meter walk test performance, Timed Up and Go (TUG) scores, and three-dimensional gait analysis parameters.

Regulatory Status

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Kickstart differ from powered exoskeletons?

Powered exoskeletons use motors and batteries to actively move the patient’s limbs. Kickstart uses passive mechanical energy storage—elastic components capture energy during the stance phase and release it during swing phase. This eliminates power requirements and reduces weight, though it provides less active assistance than powered systems.

Can patients use Kickstart at home without supervision?

The Home Edition is specifically designed for patient self-use in community and home settings. However, initial fitting and training should be performed by a qualified rehabilitation professional. The system’s mechanical simplicity reduces operational complexity compared to powered alternatives.

What is the typical treatment protocol?

Treatment protocols should be established by rehabilitation physicians based on individual patient assessment. The system is typically used during gait training sessions, with progressively increasing duration and intensity as patient function improves. The passive design allows for longer training sessions without battery constraints.