iBot Self-Balancing Mobility Device FDA Approved

ptorrone writes "In November of 2002, I was able to see the self-balancing iBot mobility device, which can go up and down stairs and travel/balance on two wheels, in person. It literally brought tears to my eyes seeing what it will mean for millions of disabled people around the world. Today, the FDA has approved its use, after years of approval processes and testing." We've mentioned this Dean Kamen-created product previously, but it's good to see it officially approved and available for those who need it.

Comments

FDA + Wheelchair

[SKPhoton]

Since when does the Food and Drug Administration have to approve advanced wheelchairs? Maybe if it was a big vitamin wheelchair.

Re:FDA + Wheelchair

[2Flower]

Actually, the FDA regulates all manners of medical devices; there's an entire branch of the org which deals with them, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. That means everything from syringes to x-ray machines to wheelchairs.

I work as a webmaster over there (All Opinions Expressed Are Mine And Have Nothing To Do With My Employer) and got to post the happy news of this thing to the CDRH website (http://www.fda.gov/cdrh) today. Whee! ...please don't slashdot our database server, we're a little understaffed today...

FDA?

[jasoncart]

Excuse my ignorance, but why is electronic device this being approved by the "Food & Drugs Administration"?

Re:FDA?

[ratfynk]

Good question, if you build wheel chairs they need approval. Any device that the medical insurance industry might need to pay for has to be approved. It does not matter if it is a tech creation. The FDA is there to look after the well being of industry. "The business of Government is business" You will not be able to sue if you have an accident using this device, unless you can prove neglagence on the part of the maker. Same thing goes for the cost of practice insurance for doctors, it costs a fortune because Americans love litigation so much nowadays. There are hords Lawyers who do nothing but take cases against medical companies and doctors on spec because it has become so lucurative. I just hope this bullshit continues to stay south of the Canadian border where it belongs.

Compare this to the Segway

[Max Romantschuk]

It's interresting to note that this wheelchair also has served as the technology-cradle (if you will) for the Segway. Yet, the Segway has been around for quite some time already, and the wheelchair only just got approved by the FDA.

The whole approval thing makes it possible to get part of the (very costly) wheelchair price covered by medical insurances and the like, as I've understood things correctly anyway.

Re:FDA approval

[lovebyte]

Drugs companies actually spend far more on marketing than they do on R&D, which includes approvals. How much of that marketing is really necessary - unless, of course, the drugs aren't really as effective as they claim?

The thing people usually misunderstand about drug approval is that the results of the clinical tests are open to scrutiny. If the drugs are not effective, the FDA can (and does) not approve them.
Having said that, pharmaceutical companies spend way too much money on "lobbying" doctors. The usual budget rundown is: 1/3 R&D, 1/3 infrastructure, 1/3 Marketing and sales. Of the 1/3 R&D, 1/3 goes to research, which makes the pharmaceutical industry the industry that spends the most in research.

Re:Hefty price tag

[ArsonPanda]

One of the major points of getting FDA approval on something like this is so that the feds (medicare/aid) will likely pick up a large portion, or in some cases, all of the cost.

Re:FYI on FDA

[HBI]

Corruption is almost unknown in the US Government. Yes, I work there. Why is it unknown?

Fear.

There are just too many people watching in most instances, and corruption *will* get you a long trip to an ass-ramming federal pen. Besides, government workers are dweebs. Anyone with enough smarts to pull off a good extortion racket wouldn't take the job, the pay is too low.

And before you ask, i'm a contractor.

Perhaps this is off topic but

[dodell]

I saw this thing on Discovery once about Dean Kamen. He's a great guy. This class of like 3rd grade students all wrote him to see if he'd donate one to their science teacher who was disabled. So Dean came personally and brought one of these things to the guy and he was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy. He could even do dances and stuff with the thing; his wife was there too and they did like a waltz or something, and it actually worked.

This is a great invention by a great guy, and I genuinely hope it goes to people who really need and deserve it. Teachers may not be aware of the difference they make in a kids life; I hope these kids realize what a difference they've made to their teacher's life. It's amazing.

Re:FYI on FDA

[evilviper]

Why do they place so much power in one agency is beyond comprehension. Can you imagine the type of abuse someone can put another company through.

I think your mistrust is unfounded. I admit I don't know how the FDA is operated, who has direct/indirect oversight, etc., but why worry about the FDA (which has an incredible record) while there are plenty of other agencies that have numerous and ongoing cases of blatant corruption and abuses?