Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital Begins Full-Scale Operation of Gait Rehabilitation Robot "HUCA-Go"

Lee Ruji, head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, is conducting personalized treatment for patients using the advanced gait rehabilitation robot "HUCA-Go." Photo by Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital

Hwasun Jeonnam National University Hospital announced on August 11 that it has recently introduced the advanced gait rehabilitation robot "HUCA-Go" and has begun full-scale operation.

The newly introduced robot is an orthopedic exercise device with robotic assistance that has received official approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. It is effective in helping patients with central nervous system disorders and motor impairments, who have difficulty walking, to recover normal gait patterns while maintaining stable weight support.

"HUCA-Go" is a rehabilitation robot that utilizes an end-effector system. The device attached to the footplate detects the patient's walking intent in real time and provides appropriate assistance. This allows for precise adjustment of walking speed and stride length according to the patient's condition, and the weight-bearing adjustment function creates a stable and efficient rehabilitation training environment.

This robot was selected for the "Innovative Product Pilot Purchase Project" organized by the Public Procurement Service, drawing attention as an innovation model for public medical institutions. The project is a system in which products with innovative technology are preferentially introduced to public institutions to verify their performance and effectiveness, and it is expected to become a new model for personalized rehabilitation treatment.

The rehabilitation training modes include: ▲ automatic walking mode (smart/manual) and ▲ gait assistance mode (active-assist), enabling step-by-step training tailored to the patient's walking ability. In addition, the robot is equipped with emergency stop and automatic halt functions to enhance safety.

Lee Ruji, head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, stated, "Because the robot precisely detects the patient's foot movements and adjusts stride and speed, it will help patients regain a more natural gait compared to conventional treatments. The weight support function also enhances safety, which can help reduce patients' psychological anxiety."

Min Jeongjun, president of the hospital, said, "The introduction of the gait rehabilitation robot is expected to be a new turning point in the treatment of patients requiring intensive rehabilitation. By combining advanced equipment with a specialized rehabilitation system, we can now provide personalized treatment tailored to each patient's condition. We will continue to actively adopt the latest rehabilitation technologies to strengthen patient-centered rehabilitation care."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.