Motek CAREN
The Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (CAREN) is the world’s most advanced biomechanics laboratory. Developed by Motek, the CAREN is a versatile, multi-sensory system used for clinical analysis, rehabilitation, and the evaluation and training of human movement, balance and gait.
The CAREN combines a motion platform with six degrees of freedom, an instrumented force plate dual belt treadmill, motion capture, high speed video, D-Flow software, virtual reality (VR) and surround sound, and uses game elements and immersive interactions to engage the subject within a real time feedback loop.
The CAREN can be used for countless types of research and clinical rehabilitation, ranging from neurological and musculoskeletal disorders, amputees, brain and spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, military servicemen and women, and return-to-sport rehabilitation.
The system’s support harness means that patients can start training early and confidently, even wheelchair users, in a safe environment. Therapists can adjust the patient’s gait, monitor the immediate effects, and generate reports, all with just a few easy clicks.
The CAREN is used in the UK by leading institutions such as the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) at Stanford Hall, the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre (BASIC), the University of Strathclyde, Loughborough University, and Liverpool John Moores University.
“It has improved my walking, confidence and hope for the future. BASIC has really helped with my recovery. I am now back at work one day a week.”
Client at the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre, 2019-20.
“It’s a great machine I would recommend it to anyone and it should be more available to more people. It has helped me with balance, concentration and walking. It has met more than my expectations.”
Client at the Brain and Spinal Injury Centre, 2019-20.
CAREN Configurations
There are two different configurations available, which can be tailored to your specific needs:
CAREN Extended
This features a dual-belt instrumented treadmill which is mounted on the motion base. There is also a cylindrical virtual reality projection screen which allows wider peripheral vision scope of up to 180 degrees. This is bespoke for balance and all gait applications.
CAREN High End
This model is the most advanced set up, featuring a 360 degrees dome for a fully-immersive virtual reality experience and a dual belt mounted instrumented treadmill. Again, this is bespoke for all balance and gait applications.
CAREN Upgrades
Every CAREN can be upgraded in terms of kinetic and kinematic add-ons, wireless EMG, motion capture, data gloves, head mounted systems, haptic systems, heart rate measurement systems, energy consumption systems, pressure measurement systems, and other device integrations using the D-Flow software.
The DNRC
Summit Medical and Scientific installed Europe’s first CAREN High End at the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre (DNRC) at Stanford Hall in 2018. It is currently being used in the rehabilitation and therapy of injured military veterans and active servicemen and women for a wide range of conditions, including brain and spinal injuries, neurological disorders and amputees. Read more about the installation at the DNRC here.
Video: We invited Mike Jones, lower limb amputee and C-Mill user at the Morrello Clinic, to try out the CAREN during the DNRC’s training session. Here the DNRC’s new staff are learning to use the equipment using Mike as their subject. The system’s wide range of movement and environments can challenge patients just like Mike, preparing them for real-world situations while also collecting real-time feedback for accurate gait analysis. Read more about the training here.
Solution categories
Other Motek Products
For research and clinical uses.
C-Mill
The C-Mill is an augmented and virtual reality instrumented single belt treadmill, used for the evaluation and training of impaired gait and balance.
GRAIL
The GRAIL (Gait Realtime Analysis Interactive Lab) is a complete solution for gait analysis on 25m², and training in challenging conditions on a dual-belt instrumented treadmill with fast pitch and sway.
HERO Solution
The HERO Solution, developed by Motek and in cooperation with Monitored Rehab Systems, is a 5-system solution for complete functional movement rehabilitation.
M-Gait
The M-Gait is a modular 3D instrumented dual-belt treadmill, which can have various upgrades to enhance your set-up such as pitch and sway, motion capture, bodyweight support and virtual reality.
Motek Software
Including D-Flow, a control software suite which provides real-time data streams and users can easily create their own applications, and The Human Body Model for visualisations of muscle forces of the subject’s body on-screen.
RYSEN
The RYSEN is the next generation of 3D body weight support systems, assisting patients in an all-directional, assist as-needed capacity to improve movement function.