Allows for functional vertical displacement and functional pelvic rotation or stabilization during partial weight-bearing therapy

• Full Patient Access – open frame design encourages therapist facilitation and clears an unobstructed forward view for patients.
• One-Handed Control – press a button to raise or lower patient; another to set unweighing load.
• Counters Harness Slippage – Auto Unload feature compensates for potential harness movement due to slippage or posture changes.
• Convenient Control – newly designed hand-held remote can be magnetically attached anywhere on the frame.
• Safe Environment – dynamic, single-point suspension is safer for patients and negates the need for therapist support and risk of personal injury.
• Pelvic Stabilization – possible as single- or two-point stabilization with retention cords.
• Tall and Small – from pediatric to 6' 3" when standing over a treadmill with a 7" step-up, such as the Gait Trainer 3. 
  
• Get Comfortable – therapist seat can easily be moved along the base of the frame or from side-to-side. A second seat is available separately.
• Handrails As Needed – easily removable for specific balance training exercise.
• Room-to-Room – collapses to 32" (81 cm) wide to fit through standard door frames.
  
  

Standard Unweighing Harness
The question isn’t whether to offload a patient’s weight, but how. What factors to consider should be textbook, allowing the biomechanics of gait without impeding movement.

The Biodex Unweighing Harness is designed to provide vertical lift through three shared points of pressure: through the hip straps, gluteal fold straps and the lumbar-thoracic harness. Its secure fit with maximum support offers comfort without limiting lower extremity range of motion. Assuring that the patient is comfortable is essential when lengthy exercise sessions are required.

The NxStep Unweighing System allows the necessary movements to replicate natural ambulation – uniquely offered with Biodex design.

The new Auto Unload feature compensates for any harness slippage, maintaining unloaded amount and position throughout the exercise.

Take it a step further and partner the NxStep Unweighing System with the Biodex Gait Trainer. This combination provides the safety to treat people with movement disorders, and the biofeedback technology with objective reporting to prove need, progress and outcome.

• Stroke
• Spinal Cord
• Head Injury
• Amputees
• Orthopedic
• Neurologic
• Vestibular
• Older Adult 
  

Spinal Cord Injury

Goal:
To reduce spasticity and regain functional gait through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Initial unweighing support up to 40% of body weight. As the patient begins to demonstrate step symmetry, body weight support can be decreased. When used with a Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer, and support is decreased to 20% of body weight, treadmill belt speed can be increased to develop functional step length and step speed.

Results and Benefits:

Rehabilitation can begin within the first 1-3 months following onset when there is the most plasticity of the Central Nervous System and greater potential for recovery. Improved gait is achieved in an upright and fully supported position through the repetitive and rhythmic movements of the Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer. Effective, efficient and safe use of clinician time. Allows concentration on treatment, not physically supporting the patient. When used with a Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer:
Better recovery of ambulation with effects transferred to improved over ground walking speed, endurance, and
physical assistance required to walk.

Reference:
- Barbeau et al., Walking After Spinal Cord Injury: Control and Recovery
- Gardner et al., Partial Body Weight Support With Treadmill Locomotion
- Visintin et al., A New Approach To Retrain Gait In Stroke Patients Through Body Weight Support and Treadmill Stimulation 

Stroke / Traumatic Brain Injury

Goal:
To regain functional gait through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Initial unweighing support, up to 40% of body weight. As the patient begins to demonstrate step symmetry body weight support can be decreased. When used with a Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer and support is decreased to20% of body weight, treadmill belt speed can be increased to develop cadence.

Results and Benefits:

Rehabilitation can begin within the first 1-3 months following onset when there is the most plasticity of the Central Nervous System and greater potential for recovery.Improved step length symmetry and increased cadence during ambulation is achieved in an upright and fully supported position through the repetitive and rhythmic movements of the Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer.Effective, efficient and safe use of clinician time. Allows concentration on treatment, not physically supporting the patient.

When used with a Treadmill or Biodex Gait Trainer:
Better recovery of ambulation with effects transferred to improved over ground walking speed, endurance, and
physical assistance required to walk.

Reference:
- Visintin et al.: A New Approach To Retrain Gait In Stroke Patients Through Body Weight Support and Treadmill Stimulation 

Parkinson's Disease

Goal:
To regain functional gait through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Initial unweighing support is up to 40% of body weight. Once supported, the patient can perform balance and gait training exercises, such as weight shifts. When used with the Biodex Gait Trainer, audio and visual cues are used to assist retraining of the temporal and spatial deficits associated with Parkinsonian Gait.

Results and Benefits:

Improvement of stride length.Maintain/Improve cardiopulmonary endurance.Effective, efficient and safe use of clinician time. Allows concentration on treatment, not physically supporting the patient.

Reference:
- Morris, ME, et al., Stride Length Regulation In Parkinson's Disease Normalization Strategies and Underlying Mechanisms.
Brain, 119:551-568, 1996.

Low Back Patients

Goal:
To regain pelvic rotation and provide vertical traction in conjunction with exercise.

Method:
When used with a treadmill inclined to 3% grade, the Unweighing System will provide vertical traction. The inclined treadmill brings the pelvis into an anteriorly tilted position allowing the intervertebral foramen to open up and reduce the compression on the associated nerve(s). Once supported, the patient can perform gait and balance exercises.

Results and Benefits:

Reduction of compression on the peripheral nerves.Improved tolerance for exercise.Ability to exercise longer on a treadmill, providing increased core stabilization and endurance of postural muscles.

Reference:
- Simpson, S, et al. Unloaded Treadmill Therapy for lumbar disc herniation injury 

Older Adult

Goal:
To regain functional gait through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Support patient in the Biodex Unweighing System. Once supported, the patient can perform gait and balance exercises.

Results and Benefits:

Improved confidence.Improved tolerance for exercise.Transfer of training benefits to activities of daily living.Maintain or regain independence. 

Amputation of the Lower Extremity

Goal:
To regain functional gait through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Initial unweighing support is up to 30% of body weight. Once supported,the patient can perform early weight shifts. As patient starts gait training, the clinician assists with foot placement.

Results and Benefits:

Reduction of pain.Stump toughening begins earlier and in a more gradual manner.Cardiac and metabolic demands are reduced.Effective, efficient and safe use of clinician time. Allows concentration on treatment, not physically supporting the patient.

Reference:
- Peterson, et al. "Physiological Responses During Unweighted Ambulation Of Three Patients With Below The Knee Amputation".
A pilot study.

Orthopedic Patients

Goal:
To develop proprioception and weight-bearing acceptance following joint injury, surgical repairs or replacements through partial weight-bearing therapy.

Method:
Initial unweighing support is up to 40% of body weight. Once supported, the patient can perform balance and gait training exercises, such as weight shifts. Reduce body weight support as patient regains range of motion and begin mini-squats and other weight bearing activities.

Results and Benefits:

Rehabilitation can begin earlier.Improve proprioception and acceptance for weight bearing activities.

Reference:
- Mulcare, JA, et al. Physiological responses during unweighing ambulation: A pilot study. 

Simple Operation

Select the amount of weight to offload the patient.	Hand-Held Controller	Raise overhead bar in Load Range until indicator is in the green zone.

• Dimensions:
  Operational:
  - I.D.: 38.8" w x 48" depth x 94" h (99 x 122 x 239 cm)
  - O.D.: 47.5" w x 48" depth x 94" h (121 x 122 x 239 cm)
  - Suitable for use with 8' ceilings (244 cm) or higher.
  Retracted (not for operation):
  - O.D.: 32" w x 48" depth x 79" h (81 x 122 x 201 cm) will fit through a standard 36" x 80" door.
  - Battery adds 4" (10.2 cm) to depth.
• Accommodates patients from pediatric to 6' 3" (191 cm) when standing over a treadmill with 7" (18 cm) step-up, such as the Gait Trainer 3.
• Includes one therapist seat
• Accommodates Treadmill up to 38" w x 13.5" h (97 x 34 cm)
• Vertical Adjustment: 50" (127 cm)
• Unloading Weight Capacity: 160 lb (73 kg)
• User Capacity: 400 lb (181 kg)
• Power: 115 VAC
• Battery: Rechargeable 24V. Battery automatically charges when system is plugged in.
• Weight: 275 lb (125 kg)
• Shipping Weight: 415 lb (189 kg)
• Standards:
  IEC 60601-1:2005 (Third Edition) + CORR. 1:2006 + CORR. 2:2007 + A1:2012 (or IEC 60601-1: 2012 reprint)
  ANSI/AAMI ES60601-1:2005 + A1:2012 + C1:2009 and A2:2010
  CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 60601-1:2014
  IEC 60601-1-2:2014
  
  
  

• Manual, NxStep™ Unweighing System – Instructions for Use and Assembly
• Manual, NxStep™ Unweighing System – Unpacking Guide

• Video Playlist | NxStep Unweighing System: Installation and Operational Instructions

Translated Documents:

• Instructions for Use, NxStep™ Unweighing System (French)
     - Translation Certificate

• Instructions for Use, NxStep™ Unweighing System (Italian)
     - Translation Certificate

• Instructions for Use, NxStep™ Unweighing System (German)
     - Translation Certificate

To order, call 1-800-224-6339

U.S. Patent 6,302,828
Export models available.

Optional:

Replacement: