B-17. Future and problems of neurorehabilitation – The concept of smart rehabilitation

Abstract

To develop and apply revolutionary neurorehabilitation (NR) technologies, findings from neuroscientific studies and clinical evidence must be collected, intellectual property must be managed, and NR technologies must be commercialized, approved by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act, and put into commercial operation. The development of NR devices, such as the brain-machine interface (BMI) NR device by the Medical Engineering Coordination Team at Keio University, is supported by multiple grants from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) focused on different phases and continuing on a clear path toward application. Taking EEG-BMI NR system developed to improve severe upper extremity paresis after stroke as an example, we will explain how the above-mentioned process has been achieved. In the near future, we plan to systemize in the cloud revolutionary NR device groups under development as well as existing superior NR devices, and to continue integrating these into a “smart NR office” that can seamlessly provide systematic, cutting-edge NR based on determined indications. We therefore aim to optimize, streamline, and advance NR treatments and dramatically expand the range of therapeutic potential, bringing about a revolution in NR.