The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the marketing of the first motorized device intended to act as an exoskeleton for people with lower body paralysis (paraplegia) due to a spinal cord injury.

The motorized device named "ReWalk" is worn over the legs and part of the upper body. It helps an individual sit and stand upright. The FDA recommends that ReWalk be used with assistance from a trained companion such as a spouse or home health aide.

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Powered exoskeletons are also called "wearable robots."

ReWalk consists of a metal brace that supports the legs and part of the upper body. Motors supply movement at the hips, knees, and ankles.

A backpack contains the power supply that powers the motors and a computer that manages the entire system. Crutches give a user additional stability when walking, standing and rising up from a chair.

A user uses a wrist-mounted wireless remote control to command ReWalk to stand up, sit down or walk. ReWalk costs US$69,500 per exoskeleton.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there are some 200,000 people in the U.S. living with a spinal cord injury. Many of these persons have complete or partial paraplegia.

"Innovative devices such as ReWalk go a long way towards helping individuals with spinal cord injuries gain some mobility," said Christy Foreman, director of the Office of Device Evaluation, at the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

"Along with physical therapy, training and assistance from a caregiver, these individuals may be able to use these devices to walk again in their homes and in their communities."

The FDA said ReWalk is for people with paraplegia due to spinal cord injuries at levels T7 (seventh thoracic vertebra) to L5 (fifth lumbar vertebra) when accompanied by a specially trained caregiver.

ReWalk is suitable for persons with spinal cord injuries at levels T4 (fourth thoracic vertebra) to T6 (sixth thoracic vertebra) where the device is limited to use in rehabilitation institutions. The device is not intended for sports or climbing stairs.