THE DE LA SALLE University has received its first international patent for a project called “Device for Upper Limb Rehabilitation.”

The school’s Intellectual Property Office and the DLSU Technology and Innovation Office filed the application in Singapore last year.

The device was created through the funding of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Manila Philippine General Hospital under the “AGAPAY” project.

The exoskeleton aims to assist individuals suffering from stroke in a bid to provide them with safe, cheap and reliable rehabilitation system.

The device uses surface electromyography to record neuromuscular activity and perform active and passive motion exercises.

The researchers said that the Philippines is prone to stroke and injury but treatment is still limited.

“Affordable devices that can effectively increase upper extremity motor recovery are still not available in developing regions where access to modern facilities is limited,” the researchers said.