The Abilitech Assist


The Abilitech Assist is a new wearable orthotic device that enhances natural arm movement for people with upper arm weakness to restore independence in daily tasks. With adjustable springs at the shoulder and elbow, and cables that carry electrical signals to adjust the tension of the springs, the sleeve-like Assist is custom fit to the user’s arm. It is supported by a vest that offloads the weight of the device, making it comfortable for the user to wear for extended periods.

In addition to the orthotic and the vest, the Abilitech Assist comes with a power pack that includes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and motors that adjust the spring tension. The power pack weighs about 10 pounds, fits in a backpack that can be attached to a wheelchair and can withstand the jostling and jarring of daily life in a wheelchair.

woman in wheelchair wearing orthotic device on arm
Erica Gonzales

The Assist has 10 programmable settings that allow you to adjust the springs to properly assist for different activities and function levels. For example, one program can be set for picking up a toothbrush, while others can be set to pick up a cellphone or soda can. The programs can be changed quickly, allowing the user to move from one task to the next efficiently.

The programs can also be changed as users’ fatigue levels fluctuate throughout the day or if they get tired while doing an activity. In some cases, users might find that they gain strength through repeated use of the Assist and can complete tasks without the device. However, more research is needed to determine whether repeated use of the Assist can lead to permanent improvements.

Early Results Encouraging

Rob Wudlick, a quadriplegic who was involved in the design of the Assist, wrote about the long process leading up to the product’s release in our June 2020 issue. To learn more, I spoke with Erica Gonzales, one of the Assist’s first users. She sustained an incomplete C1-2 spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury leading to weakness in all of her limbs. Before using the Assist, Gonzales had great difficulty performing activities of daily living and relied on her mother and her primary caregiver to help her throughout the day.

After approximately eight weeks using the Assist, Gonzales says she has become more independent in completing many tasks. “I can do more with my arms and hands and I can help with eating a little more,” says Gonzales. She uses the Assist so she can wash her face, brush her teeth and rinse her mouth independently. In addition to these home tasks, Gonzales uses the Assist during her occupational therapy sessions to open doors and relearn how to throw a ball.

In the time that Gonzales has used the Assist, she has experienced a great increase in endurance. When she first started using the Assist, she was only able to do so for about 30 minutes and had difficulty completing tasks. Now, she can use it for over an hour and complete tasks without fatiguing. She can even lift light weights with the Assist. “It makes me more independent, and I am getting stronger,” she says. “I would recommend it.”

In the two decades I have been injured, it has been remarkable to see the evolution of assistive devices from the awkward weighted pulley system that I used to relearn to feed myself, to a lightweight wearable orthotic that is portable and easy to use. Finding a way to obtain more independence is a priority for many living with a disability and the Abilitech Assist is a valuable tool toward this end. For more information about the Abilitech Assist and to find out if it is appropriate for you visit abilitechmedical.com.

How To Get An Assist

The process of obtaining an Abilitech Assist begins with a video consultation with an Abilitech representative who can help determine whether the Assist is appropriate. After the consultation, the potential user will have an in-person evaluation that lasts about two hours. During the evaluation, the user’s capabilities with and without the Assist are documented. Would-be users need a minimum amount of shoulder and bicep function and the ability to move the joint through 50% of its range of motion with gravity eliminated or be able to hold against resistance in a position without gravity. If the evaluation is successful, the Assist will be ordered and custom-fitted to the individual. The fitting and calibration process takes about an hour. After the final calibration is completed, Abilitech offers support to its customers and clinicians if any problems arise.

As with any new medical device, it can be difficult to obtain funding or reimbursement. The Abilitech Assist is listed with the Food and Drug Administration and is eligible for reimbursement from insurance companies. The cost of the Assist depends on the customer’s insurance coverage, or whether they will be paying out of pocket. Abilitech helps customers in the process of collecting documents proving medical necessity and submits those documents to the insurance company. So far, results have been mixed in obtaining reimbursement, but Abilitech is hopeful that insurance companies will be more cooperative in the future. For those paying out of pocket, Abilitech offers payment plans on a case-by-case basis.


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Patricia McPartland
Patricia McPartland
1 year ago

This arm Assist looks like it could be useful for me, because my arms are weak due to limb girdle muscular dystrophy. But I also have significant wrist drop and weakened fingers. Does this assist help at all with wrist or finger support? Please let me know what you think.