Every year, thousands of people suffer a stroke, resulting in permanent mobility problems. Traditional rehabilitation is often time-consuming and expensive, while ageing and staff shortages increase the pressure on care. This calls for innovative and efficient solutions. P-MATE, developed within Convergence Health & Technology and spawned by Delft University of Technology rearchers Laura Marchal-Crespo and Irene Beck, offers a smart and affordable solution that makes rehabilitation more accessible.

P-MATE (Passive Mechanical Add-on for Treadmill Exercise) is a treadmill-based rehabilitation device that uses pulleys and elastic cables to synchronise the movement of the legs. This promotes a natural gait pattern and supports effective rehabilitation after stroke.

What makes P-MATE unique?

• Affordable and scalable – Low cost which makes the therapy affordable and widely applicable to rehabilitation centres and clinics.
• Efficient rehabilitation – Quick and easy to set up with less burden on healthcare professionals.
• Easy to integrate – Connects to existing therapies and systems without disrupting workflows or major modifications.
• Sustainable & budget-friendly – Potential use of recycled materials reduces production costs.

Market analysis and growth opportunities

With ageing population and growing number of stroke patients, the need for effective rehabilitation solutions is increasing. P-MATE responds to this demand with an accessible, evidence-based solution. In addition, the increasing healthcare burden provides opportunities for innovations that help improve the efficiency and quality of rehabilitation.

Thank you RSM MBA graduate Beatriz Valenzuela for the development of a value proposition and business model to support the commercialisation of the technology and the continuation of the research project.