An Exoskeleton Spine Brace for Scoliosis

For the unlucky 3 percent of children diagnosed with scoliosis--a condition that causes an abnormal curve in the spine--treatment has traditionally meant spending years inside a rigid, plastic corrective brace. But researchers at Columbia's School of Engineering are hoping to replace this low-tech cast with a smart exoskeleton. Their prototype bends and moves with the patient's body, while still exerting targeted force on the affected areas of the spine. This could make it possible for a patient to get the benefits of bracing, even as she bends, twists and participates in a variety of activities. The brace comes with another big advantage: data.