The Department of Veterans Affairs accepted a donation of 50 iBOT Personal Mobility Devices from Mobius Mobility LLC, May 27 to help Veterans with spinal cord injuries regain their autonomy.

The iBOT PMD increases the user’s mobility by allowing them to independently elevate, interact at eye-level, climb stairs and cross various terrains.

As part of the “Operation Mobility Tour” kickoff, Acting VA Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Carolyn Clancy, M.D. welcomed the first donation at the VA East Orange Medical Center from Dean Kamen, inventor of the iBOT PMD and president of DEKA Research and Development. An iBOT was donated to the center’s Spinal Cord Injuries/Disorders Center as well as the first Veteran recipient.

 

“VA’s New England Center for Innovation Excellence offers the innovation community a clinical trial partner, practical health care assistance and real-world patient input,” Clancy said. “This allows VA to secure priority access to the latest life-saving medical treatment and high-tech devices for our Veterans.”

The iBOTs will be distributed to all 25 VA SCI/D clinics and another 24 iBOTs will be donated directly to Veterans — as appropriately determined by the local SCI/D clinic — based on need, a clinical assessment and prescription.

“Our goal is to deliver the mobility and independence our disabled Veterans deserve,” Kamen said. “It’s often said as a nation we are in debt to Veterans for their service and sacrifice. The best way to repay this debt is to deliver advanced technology that enables them to live life on their own terms and to be as healthy and independent as possible.”

Learn more information about VA’s life-long continuum of services for Veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. Learn how to partner with VA.