Want to Book an Appointment?
Call +1 (716) 262-8278
To book an appointment with Tom Danat, IMIT Clinical Director.
Our Mission
IMIT will transform lives and rehabilitation in WNY, advancing recovery, research, and education. Patients and health care providers will have access to compassionate, evidence-based care and state-of-the-art technology. Interprofessional education and training will prepare students from all disciplines to carry cutting edge knowledge and skills forward. The IMIT will advance scientific knowledge, advocacy, and clinical practice.
The Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology
欧宝体育's Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology (IMIT) brings to Western New York an advanced post acute physical therapy clinic for people with neurological diagnoses, as well as opportunities for those with orthopaedic issues, sports injuries, and other mobility challenges. IMIT will be located in an under-resourced neighborhood on Villa Maria College鈥檚 campus. The Institute will provide:
- 欧宝体育's Institute for Mobility Innovation & Technology (IMIT) brings to Western New York an advanced post-acute physical therapy clinic for people with neurological diagnoses, as well as opportunities for those with orthopaedic issues, limb amputations, sports injuries, and other mobility challenges. IMIT will be located at Villa Maria College鈥檚 campus in the Vikings Athletic Center. The Institute will provide:
- The world鈥檚 leading robotic devices and assistive technology, making WNY a destination for post-acute outpatient care.
- Diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, robotic-assisted gait training, patient education, and research with highly-trained clinicians.
- Improved mobility, balance, and walking for people with impaired mobility due to acute, chronic, or degenerative conditions.
- Equity in access for underserved and high-need populations.
- Advanced research on optimal usage of technology.
- Advocacy for post rehabilitation opportunities.
- Learning opportunities for students, researchers, community-based physical therapists, and other clinicians.
Advanced Technology and Proven Outcomes
IMIT provides rehabilitation to a wide range of people with walking and mobility challenges, including those impacted by stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological, pediatric, and orthopedic conditions.
IMIT鈥檚 full complement of equipment addresses a continuum of needs as patients progress in their rehabilitation and promotes recovery for children and adults with diverse challenges.
The world鈥檚 leading robotic medical device, known as an exoskeleton, provides highly repetitive, highly intensive physiological gait rehabilitation. This leads to:
- Improved functional mobility, balance, walking capacity, and motor symptoms in people with Parkinson鈥檚 Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, or following a stroke
- Improved mobility, cardiorespiratory, urinary, musculoskeletal, neuronal, and somatosensory systems for patients with a spinal cord injury
- Improved gait speed and distance for children with cerebral palsy
The Hocoma Erigo is a combination of tilt-table therapy, combined with cycling motion and functional electric stimulation for the legs. Ideal for patients in the acute phase of injury, the Erigo leads to:
- Faster progression from bed level exercise to standing and walking
- Longer therapy sessions with improved tolerance to exercise
- Earlier return to ambulation after an injury
The Ekso Indego is an over-ground exo-skeleton designed to enhance recovery in spinal cord injury and stroke. It features:
- Highly adjustable components to fit different patient shapes and sizes
- Variable assistance settings at each hip and knee joint
- Multiple modes to allow progression from full robotic assist to assist only when needed
The Vector is a dynamic body weight support (DBWS) system designed to provide a safe environment and exposure to challenging tasks to improve mobility and balance while:
- Promoting faster recovery
- Minimizing risk of injury to patients and clinicians
- Reducing the number of clinicians required to perform advanced rehabilitation
- Increasing independence
The Bioness L300 is a mobile functional electrical stimulation device to enhance foot and leg clearance during walking. Aimed specifically to help with the effects of stroke, multiple sclerosis, and other brain and lower extremity nerve injuries, the L300 features
- 3-dimensional gyroscopic motion detection
- Adaptive learning algorithms for optimizing gait
- Ability to assist with varied walking speeds, stair navigation, curbs, and ramps
The BITS stands for Bioness Integrated Therapy Systems, a touchscreen device that integrates visual, cognitive, motor function and balance rehabilitation all into one. The BITS is:
- Highly customizable to each patients individual needs
- Fun and challenging, with rehabilitation built into game play
- Able to track patient progress and provide immediate feedback
Uses NASA differential air pressure technology to support low-impact, pain free movement. This means:
- Faster recovery from sports injuries and orthopedic surgeries
- Safe progression of walking mechanics during sub-acute phases of rehabilitation
The Xcite is a highly customizable functional electric stimulation machine with a library or pre-programmed activities designed to mimic real-life activities. The Xcite is capable assisting with:
- Reaching, grasping, writing, and grooming tasks
- Bed mobility tasks
- Standing, stepping, and balance tasks
- Lateral transfers
The RT300 is a dynamic functional electric stimulation bike with leg and arm capabilities. It can stimulate 6 muscles per side, with the timing of each muscle synced with the motion of the bike. Patients have seen improvement with:
- Range of motion
- Muscle re-education
- Prevention of disuse atrophy
- Spasticity management
- Improvements in local circulation
A Strong Commitment to Community
Daemen鈥檚 mission combined with our sustained, collaborative health partnerships contribute to our success as a leader in education, research, and medical treatment. With a demonstrated history of excellence in the allied health sciences since 1974, over 50% of Daemen alumni currently living in WNY majored in health professions or sciences.
Daemen faculty possess expertise in orthopedics, wound care, motor learning, neurology, vascular injury, and pediatrics.
鈥溾淚MIT is a game changer for many,鈥 said Dr. Michael Brogan, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at Daemen. 鈥淏y using advanced technologies to improve mobility, balance and performance, IMIT helps people of all ages and abilities achieve optimal outcomes鈥攁nd become a rehabilitation and training destination in the region.鈥
IMIT鈥檚 CARE Model
Clinical care, Advocacy, Research, and Education
IMIT鈥檚 multi-faceted CARE model - Clinical care, Advocacy, Research, and Education - provides advancement of rehabilitation and hope to patients and their caregivers. Students involved at the IMIT carry cutting-edge skills forward, researchers advance scientific knowledge, and healthcare providers refer to IMIT knowing their patients will receive comprehensive care.
Thank You to Our Supporters
- Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund
- Foundation 214
- John R. Oishei Foundation
- Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
- Empire State Development
- The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation
- Scott Bieler Family Foundation
- George I. Alden Trust
- James H. Cummings Foundation
- The Children鈥檚 Guild Foundation
- Garman Family Foundation
- Little-Kittinger Foundation Inc.
Support This Initiative
You can contribute to this important project and help us ensure that rehabilitation capabilities are made accessible to those who need them. Click on the donate now button to contribute and to help us step into the future.
Step into the Future with Daemen
Dr. Thomas Danat Jr., PT, DPT
IMIT Clinical Director
twdanat@daemen.edu
(P) +1 (716) 262-8278
(F) +1 (716) 262-8279
Laura Edsberg, PhD
Professor, Natural Sciences
Director, Natural and Health Sciences Research Center
ledsberg@daemen.edu
+1 (716) 839.8351