Researchers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have developed and patented the M-PACE, a multipurpose arm cycle ergometer. It’s a piece of bedside exercise equipment used by patients to improve cardiovascular and respiratory health. The device allows patients to exercise, even when restricted to a bed or wheelchair.
In late March, Minnesota-based Action Manufacturing signed a patent license agreement with the VA to manufacture and sell the M-PACE.
Action Manufacturing appears to be an ideal fit to bring the unique equipment to market. The company is a family-owned manufacturing business that got its start in 2008 after Tim and Donna Swenson’s son suffered a spinal injury.
The company made a name for itself with tracked mobility products, like its Trackchair, which is essentially an all-terrain wheelchair. Action Manufacturing sold its first chair in 2009 and has provided more than 4,500 disabled people the freedom to explore on their own.
Many of Action’s customers are military veterans, so the tech transfer partnership is a natural fit.
The M-PACE was developed at the Minneapolis Adaptive Design & Engineering Program. Because it can be deployed over a bed, patients on prolonged bed rest can exercise and help stave off rapid deconditioning.
The patent licensing deal was made possible through Techlink, the VA’s intermediary for technology transfer. Within three months, Action plans to test new products at the VA.
