Mindmaze launches a first-of-a-kind medical device for hand therapy solution

Impaired hand function is one of the most common disabilities after stroke, with paralysis of the hand and upper limb occurring in up to 87% of all stroke survivors. Not surprisingly, patients rate hand recovery as one of the most important factors associated with improved quality of life and independence. Today, however, hands remain incredibly challenging to treat under the current standard of care, given the inherent time, resources and technology limitations.

Mindmaze’s new product Izar allows clinics to finally address the unmet or underserved need for hand recovery through new in-clinic or remotely supervised self-training programs at home, increasing the dose and quality of training.

Izar is a hyper-sensitive controller built from the ground up to train and assess dexterity and strength by capturing the fine grasp forces and wrist movements required to carry out activities of daily living. Izar can detect sub-newton level of a patient's finger and hand forces, enabling treatment in the most impaired patient populations. This simple and highly portable controller is accompanied by proprietary and engaging gaming content that allows patients to self-train, either in-clinic, at the bedside, or in the comfort of their home, dramatically enhancing and expanding training opportunities.

The device is part of a comprehensive omnisite approach to the treatment and maintenance of neurological diseases, including Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), among others.

Leading global centers such as Shirley Ryan Ability Lab in the US, University College London in the United Kingdom, and The University of Aukland in New Zealand are already actively using Izar in pioneering clinical research. Izar was subjected to rigorous pre-launch testing across nine sites and delivered over 250 hours of active supervised and self-training therapy time in 250 patients, receiving unanimously positive feedback.

Izar is available today in the US and European countries, including France, Switzerland and Germany with content that enables training in dexterous grasp, pinch and grip. Future software content will unlock training content for the wrist, bilateral movements, and combination movements of the upper limb and hand, as well as dexterity assessments for the hand and wrist.

(Press release/RAN)