News

Financing

The Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory is financially supported by the Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto and the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. In addition to this generous financial support, the laboratory is also supported by the following grants and donations:

The Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory welcomes equipment, financial support and donations aimed at improving technology, knowledge and education in the field of rehabilitation engineering.

Support Provided by Industrial Partners

2001

In the framework of the project ''Development of Neural Prostheses for Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Subjects - Phase II", Project No. 4891.1, which is supported by the Committee for Technology and Innovation (Bern, Switzerland), company Compex SA (Ecublens, Switzerland) and the Automatic Control Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (Zurich, Switzerland) has donated to the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory an equipment grant to participate in a multi-centre trial study for the Compex Motion electric stimulator.

Awarded Grants

2011

“Novel methodology to reduce muscle fatigue during functional electrical stimulation”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada

2010

“Intermittent whole body vibration and passive standing for treatment of lower extremity osteoporosis, muscle atrophy and adiposity among men with incomplete spinal cord injury: Efficacy, safety and feasibility assessments for a Phase III clinical trial”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“Understanding the links between postural control and mobility activities”, Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, Encino, United States

2009

“Sitting pivot transfers in individuals with spinal cord injury: Minimizing upper extremity risk exposure and maximizing performance”, Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Network, Vancouver, Canada
“Restoration of upper limb function in individuals with sub-acute spinal cord injury”, Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Network, Vancouver, Canada
“Neuroprosthesis for Sitting for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada
“Multidirectional seated postural stability in individuals with a spinal cord injury: From laboratory assessment to an innovative rehabilitation intervention”, Réseau Provincial de Recherche en Adaptation-Réadaptation Québec, Montréal, Canada
“Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program: Collaborative Academic Rehabilitation Engineering (CARE)”, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Ottawa, Canada
“Neuroprosthesis for Sitting for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, Arthritis, Skin and Oral Health competition, Ottawa, Canada

2008

“FES Therapy: Restoring Voluntary Grasping Function in Chronic SCI”, Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Network, Vancouver, Canada
“Economic Evaluation of Early Surgical Decompression for Traumatic Cervical SCI”, Spinal Cord Injury Solutions Network, Vancouver, Canada
“CIHR Team for the Development, Testing and Knowledge Translation of Innovative Approaches to Optimize Gait and Balance of Older Adults”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Emerging Team Grant in Mobility in Aging, Ottawa, Canada
“Object Manipulation Using Brain-Computer Interfaces in Humans”, Dana Consortium, New York, United States
“Unilateral Pedunculopontine Deep Brain Stimulation in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy”, Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Hunt Valley, United States
“Gait Rehabilitation Working Group”, Spinal Cord Injury Translation Research Network, Vancouver, Canada
“Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Walking: Reduction of Secondary Complications Due to Spinal Cord Injury – Phase II”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“Novel Tool to Evaluate Integrative Somatosensory Processing in People with Central Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Injury”, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Collaborative Health Research Projects, Ottawa, Canada
“Bone Quality in Individuals with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research: Health Technology Exchange, Ottawa, Canada
“Role of Biochemical and Bioelectrical Fields in Chronic Non-Healing Wounds of People with Spinal Cord Injury”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Toronto, Canada

2007

“Enhancing Mobility for Persons with SCI Through a Concerted Translational Rehabilitation Research Approach”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation & Réseau Provincial de Recherche en Adaptation-Réadaptation Quebec, Toronto and Montréal, Canada
“Functional Electrical Therapy for Restoring Voluntary Grasping in Spinal Cord Injured Patients”, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Short Hills, United States
“Autonomic Standards for the Evaluation of Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury”, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, Short Hills, United States
“Whole Body Vibration for Treatment of Sublesional Osteoporosis after Spinal Cord Injury: A Pilot Study”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“FET for the Elderly Balance”, MIZUNO Sports Promotion Foundation

2006

“Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Walking: Enhancement of Voluntary Walking Function Among Persons with Severe Hemiplegia Post Stroke”, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“The Personal Therapist: A Smart Ambulatory Monitoring System to Facilitate Recovery Following Stroke”, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada: Collaborative Health Research Projects, Ottawa, Canada
“Neuroprosthesis for Standing and Balancing”, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
“Design and Development of a Stance-Phase Controlled Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthotic”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada

2005

“Chronic Pain and Quality of Life in Spinal Cord Injury”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada
“Neuroprosthesis for Improving Grasping Function in Spinal Cord Injured Patients”, The Physicians’ Services Incorporated Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory: Facilities for Developing Advanced Neuroprostheses for Standing and Locomotion in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Patients”, Canadian Foundation for Innovation – Infrastructure and Operating Funds, Ottawa, Canada
“Laboratories and Workspaces for Scientists and Graduate Students Engaged in the iDAPT Research Program at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute”, Canadian Foundation for Innovation – Research Hospital Fund, Ottawa, Canada

2004

“Intelligent Design for Adaptation, Participation and Technology (iDAPT): Innovative Rehabilitation for People in Challenging Environments”, Canadian Foundation for Innovation – Innovation Fund, Ottawa, Canada
“Functional Electrical Stimulation-Assisted Walking: Reduction of Secondary Complications due to Spinal Cord Injury”, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Toronto, Canada
“Neuroprosthesis for Sitting Function in Spinal Cord Injury”, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada

2003

"Restoration of Reaching and Grasping Functions in Stroke Patients Using Functional Electrical Stimulation", The Physician's Services Incorporated Foundation, Toronto, Canada
"Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory: Facilities for Developing Advanced Neuroprostheses for Standing and Locomotion in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Patients", Canadian Fund for Innovation – New Opportunities, Ottawa, Canada
"Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory: Facilities for Developing Advanced Neuroprostheses for Standing and Locomotion in Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Patients", Ontario Innovation Trust, Toronto, Canada
“Best Practice Research Project”, Program No. 26, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Canada

2002

"Engineer Salary Supporting Grant", Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, Canada
"Neuroprosthesis for Standing", Program No. 452677, Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Fund, New Staff Competition, spring 2002, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
"Neuroprostheses for Grasping and Locomotion: The Next Step towards Implementation", Program No. 451714, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada
"Neuroprostheses for Grasping and Walking", Program No. 452276, Connaught New Staff Matching Grant, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Part of the grant "Innovative Approaches to optimizing Balance and Mobility in Older Adults", pertaining to Functional Electrical Stimulation Project, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Ottawa, Canada

2001

''Neuroprostheses for Grasping and Walking", Program No. 451145, Connaught Startup Fund, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
"Neuroprostheses for Grasping and Locomotion", McAllister Fund, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
Part of the grant ''National Centres of Competence in Research – Neural Plasticity and Repair’’ pertaining to the Functional Electrical Stimulation project, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Bern, Switzerland

2000

"Locomotion in Paraplegic Patients - Phase Out", Project No. 5002-057811.1 - Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Bern, Switzerland
''Development of Neural Prostheses for Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Subjects - Phase II’’, Project No. 4891.1 - Kommission für Technologie und Innovation des Bundesamtes für Konjunkturfragen, Bern, Switzerland
Part of the grant “Improving Locomotor Functions in Spinal Cord Injured Patients’’ pertaining to the Functional Electrical Stimulation project, Project No. 3152-062025.00/1 - Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Bern, Switzerland

1999

"Locomotion in Paraplegic Patients - Project Continuation", Project No. 5002-44895.2 - Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Bern, Switzerland

1998

"Development of Neural Prostheses for Stroke and Spinal Cord Injured Subjects", Project No. 3960.1 - Kommission für Technologie und Innovation des Bundesamtes für Konjunkturfragen, Bern, Switzerland

Awarded Fellowships and Scholarships

2006

University of Toronto Fellowship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Cheryl Lynch
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science: Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research Abroad, Tokyo, Japan, Recipient: Dr. Noritaka Kawashima
Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario Clinical Research Fellowship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Dr. Judith Hunter
Canadian Paraplegic Assocation Ontario Clinical Research Fellowship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Dr. Masae Miyatani
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Graduate Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Lev Vaisman
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Graduate Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: John Tan
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Summer Program, Tokyo, Japan, Recipient: Albert Vette
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Graduate Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Albert Vette
Ontario Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Albert Vette (declined)
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Summer Student Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Robert Nguyen
Summer Career Placements – Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Lara Mourra

2005

“Japanese Government Fellowship Program for the Researcher of Disability Study”, Japanese Society of Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, Tokyo, Japan, Recipient: Dr. Milos Popovic
Hamilton Health Sciences New Investigator Award, Hamilton, Canada, Recipient: Dr. Lora Giangregorio
Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Albert Vette
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postgraduate Doctoral Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: François Roy
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Postgraduate Doctoral Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: José Zariffa
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Summer Student Scholarship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Egor Sanin

2004

German National Academic Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship, Bonn, Germany, Recipient: Albert Vette
Victoria Noakes Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (OGSST), Toronto, Canada, Recipient: C. Marquez
Ontario March of Dimes/Canadian Institutes of Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship, Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Dr. Lora Giangregorio
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Post Graduate Doctoral Scholarship (NSERC PGS D), Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Cheryl Lynch
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Post Graduate Masters Scholarship (NSERC PGS M), Ottawa, Canada, Recipient: Francois Roy

2003

Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario Fellowship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: Dr. Adam Thrasher
Victoria Noakes Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (OGSST), Toronto, Canada,
Recipient: Francois Roy

2002

Toronto Rehabilitation Institute Scholarship, Toronto, Canada, Recipient: C. Marquez

Donations and Loans

2004

Toronto Community Foundation, Toronto, Canada

2003

"Robot for Weight Support and Perturbations During Walking and Standing", Donation from the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Toronto, Canada. DRDC’s contribution to the program is loaned equipment. This loan does not represent an endorsement of Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory or certification of any kind by the Minister, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces or DRDC Toronto.

2002

"System for Balance Support", joint program of Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), Toronto, Canada. DRDC’s contribution to the program is loaned equipment. This loan does not represent an endorsement of Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory or certification of any kind by the Minister, the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Forces or DRDC Toronto.

The Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory would also like to thank our many private donors for their generous contributions.