IRL engineer recognised with Cooper Medal

IRL engineer recognised with Cooper Medal

IRL Research Engineer Marcus King has been awarded the Cooper Medal for his leading work in rehabilitation science, resulting in systems to assist rehabilitation for people with disabilities.

He was presented the award by Minister for Research Science and Technology the Hon Wayne Mapp today at the Go Global Conference in Auckland.

The Cooper Medal is awarded every two years by the Royal Society of New Zealand to the individual or individuals who publish the best single account of original research in physics or engineering with preference given to contributions that are likely to provide substantial ongoing economic benefit to New Zealand.

Marcus King is New Zealand’s premier inventor of assistive technology for people with disabilities, especially neurological disorders affecting the upper limbs.

He says he was honoured to receive the award. “Developing technology that helps people recover from serious disability is a very rewarding field of endeavour in itself and I am humbled that the Royal Society has bestowed this honour upon me.”

IRL CEO Shaun Coffey says Marcus King’s work is invaluable. “His work improves the quality of life for thousands of people who have suffered often very severe disability. In doing this he is collaborating with local companies and international partners to assist in generating export earnings for New Zealand.”

Around 8000 people a year suffer from stroke and 56,000 are living with its effects in New Zealand. It is the main cause of adult disability in this country and the developed world. A major aim of Marcus’s research is to improve the quality of life of this group and reduce the costs of healthcare.

Marcus King’s patents include the Able-X bilateral exerciser, with virtual rehabilitation; the Giant Mouse, a gravity supported exerciser; the BUiLT bilateral upper limb exerciser; the wrist-driven grip orthosis, which restores pinch grip capacity without invasive surgery; and the hand held dynamometer for measuring strength and range of motion during rehabilitation

These five inventions are marketed through Wellington based firm Im-Able Ltd, and are designed to accelerate, motivate and monitor upper limb rehabilitation, cognition and balance.

Marcus’s rehabilitation systems are aimed at people who suffer from stroke, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, pediatric or geriatric issues, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and muscular skeletal issues. They utilise virtual reality rehabilitation to provide motivation and encourage neurological rehabilitation while monitoring progress.

He recently won first prize in the prototype category of the 2010 Engineers Australia, College of Biomedical Engineering Better Technology Awards for the design of a system of arm rehabilitation devices that allow a person with arm disability resulting from neurological injury to exercise their arm while playing engaging computer games.

ENDS

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