Polytech S.A. Announces Completion of Innovative EU R&D Project: CP-WATCHER
Polytech S.A. is excited to complete “CP-WATCHER: Wearable Gait Monitoring System for Patients with Cerebral Palsy.” This innovative research project is a collaboration with Biomechanical Solutions (BME) and ANIMUS A.E. under the ESPA 2014-2020 “Research-Create-Innovate” business program.
Transforming Cerebral Palsy Treatment with CP-WATCHER
CP-WATCHER is a groundbreaking wearable system designed to assess the walking ability of patients with Cerebral Palsy (CP) easily and accurately. The system employs two wearable sensors placed on the patient’s upper limbs, leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms to support clinicians in monitoring progress, making treatment decisions, and evaluating outcomes remotely. This innovative approach is based on research indicating that upper limb biomechanics and posture are closely linked to gait stability in CP patients.
By utilizing novel techniques, CP-WATCHER provides a comprehensive Gait Score, allowing clinicians and caregivers to monitor walking ability effectively. In the wearable devices sector, machine learning and deep learning techniques are pioneering the identification of pathological gait patterns. These techniques compare these patterns with those of healthy individuals and track improvements following personalized treatment interventions. The system derives its final assessment of a patient’s progress through fusion techniques that analyze the biomechanics of each upper limb.
Addressing a Critical Need in Cerebral Palsy Care
Cerebral Palsy encompasses a group of permanent movement and posture disorders, often resulting in significant activity limitations. Impaired gait is one of the most challenging aspects of CP. While instrumented gait analysis using optical motion capture is considered the gold standard, it is costly, cumbersome, and requires specialized laboratory settings. This limits its accessibility and integration into everyday environments.
CP-WATCHER addresses this gap by offering an easy-to-use, cost-effective system that provides objective gait measurements crucial for rehabilitation therapy. By enabling remote monitoring and evaluation, CP-WATCHER enhances the functional capacity and quality of life for CP patients, supporting more informed clinical decision-making.
Expanding Global Market Opportunities
The CP-WATCHER project has identified a significant market need for innovative, user-friendly remote gait monitoring systems. Despite the lack of supply industry interest, there is strong demand from patients, physicians, and rehabilitation centers for such solutions. CP-WATCHER’s unique capabilities and its potential to support medical decision-making and personalized care for CP patients have generated substantial interest internationally.
This innovative product not only fills a critical gap in the market but also positions Greece as a leader in medical technology. By penetrating a growing global marketplace, CP-WATCHER is set to generate significant revenue for the Greek medical and surgical industry, reinforcing the country’s competitiveness and technological advancement.
Project Participants
- ANIMUS A.E.
- Biomechanical Solutions (BME)
- Polytech S.A.
The successful completion of the CP-WATCHER project marks a significant milestone in medical R&D, demonstrating the impact of collaborative innovation in improving patient care and supporting clinical practice.