Tempe's Kinetic Muscles Inc., a medical device company specializing in neuromuscular rehabilitation, has received an R&D 100 award for its first device, the Hand Mentor. The exercise therapy apparatus aids hand rehabilitation by both encouraging and assisting patients in extending their wrist and fingers.

The R&D 100 Awards, held annually by R&D Magazine for the past 42 years, recognize organizations for introducing technologically significant products into the marketplace. The awards can provide the important initial push for a new product or company by providing prestige and publicity.

KMI sees their product, which is available by prescription, as playing a valuable role in aggressive physical therapy in general, and in improving the quality of life of stroke victims in particular.

"Our mission is to help people with neurological injuries improve their function and quality of life by delivering innovative products for clinic and home use," said Edward Koeneman, co-founder of KMI. "The Hand Mentor is now being used in several healthcare clinics and is being used at home by patients in seven states."

According to Koeneman, there are approximately 590,000 stroke survivors each year and 4.5 million people with residual disability resulting from stroke.

KMI, the first graduate of the ASU Technopolis Launch Pad program, has received two Small Business Innovation and Research grants from the National Institutes of Health and was one of the Governor's Fast Program Grant Award winners. Along with Arizona State University and Banner Health, KMI had received a three-year development contract from NIH to extend its hand technology to a low-cost therapy robot for upper extremity neurological rehabilitation.

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Kinetic Muscles Inc.

R&D Magazine