Ask anyone who’s ever had to spend part of their life hobbling around on crutches, and they’ll probably agree that it’s a chore. Running, let alone anything faster than a brisk walk, is out of the picture, and ascending or descending stairs becomes an adventure.
A new product, called FlexLeg, from a couple of mechanical engineers from Brigham Young University in Utah, seeks to make life with an injured lower leg a little less burdensome. Looking somewhat like the Cheetah Flex-Foot prostheses that Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius uses, FlexLeg is a hands-free alternative for people with temporary lower-leg injuries to help them walk with a more natural rhythm than using crutches, and for those always on the go, the ability to even run.
It’s not perfect for everyone. FlexLeg is only appropriate for those with lower-leg injuries, and the device is unable to accommodate a cast. For those with minor, yet inconvenient injuries like an ankle sprain, FlexLeg may be a great way to get around at the normal pace of life.
Check out these videos of FlexLeg doing what would be nearly impossible on crutches – assisting a tardy college student dash down the hall to lecture!
http://youtu.be/euEEFYur_MQ
http://youtu.be/s8C05kHgTyI
More info: FlexLeg.com…