ZeroG FAQ’s

Overview

Q. Is ZeroG registered with the FDA?

Yes, ZeroG is listed with the FDA under Aretech’s registration number (3007797030).

Q. Can ZeroG training be billed to healthcare providers and Medicare?

Yes. ZeroG is simply providing a safer environment for the therapist to perform treatment, so they would bill based on what they are doing as if they weren’t using ZeroG. For example, if a therapist is working on gait, then it is billed as gait training. If a therapist is working on sit-to-stand or floor transfers it could be billed as therapeutic activities.

Q. What is the difference between ZeroG and a typical ceiling-mounted patient lift?

ZeroG is a high-tech robotic system that provides dynamic body-weight support, trolley tracking and fall protection. ZeroG’s robotic trolley automatically moves with the patient so they only feel unloading from above while important training data is recorded in a secure database. Conversely a patient lift is just that. It is used for lifting and transferring patients but cannot provide dynamic body-weight support, the patient must drag the device as they walk and it does not store any training information.

Q. Can ZeroG be used as a patient transfer device?

No. The intended use for ZeroG is gait and balance training. Transporting patients with ZeroG is not possible.

Q. Can ZeroG be used to assist a patient to standing?

Yes. By using the winch, ZeroG can provide up to 450 pounds of lifting power which can be used to assist even a 450 pound person to their feet. This function enables a single therapist to get heavier patients to standing.

Q. What steps has Aretech taken to ensure patient safety since ZeroG is a wireless system?

ZeroG uses a powerful, enterprise-grade router, which meets cyber security standards while maintaining fast data transmissions.

Q. What is the heaviest patient that can use ZeroG?

The heaviest patient that can use ZeroG is 450 lbs.

Q. How much body-weight support can ZeroG provide a patient?

ZeroG has two unloading modes. In static body-weight support, the position of the patient is fixed so they are restricted from moving downwards. ZeroG can provide up to 450 lbs of static support. In dynamic body-weight support, the patient can move freely up and down while the level of support stays constant. ZeroG can provide between 10-200 lbs of dynamic support.

Q. Can ZeroG be used on stairs?

Yes. When using dynamic body-weight support, ZeroG keeps the same level of body-weight support as the patient moves up and down the stairs. Even as they traverse up and down, they are protected from falls.

Q. How fast can patients walk while in ZeroG?

ZeroG has a top speed of approximately 5 mph. For individuals who need to walk faster, customers should consider purchasing ZeroG-Passive, which is also an accessory to ZeroG.

Q. What data does ZeroG record from each training session?

The ZeroG software contains a SQL database that is password encrypted. For each training session, important clinical measures are recorded such as distance walked, training minutes, falls prevented, and the minimum and maximum body-weight support. Depending on other activities performed during the session (treadmill training, target matching, games, etc.) there are additional metrics captured.

Q. How can ZeroG be useful for research?

For researchers who require more than clinical measures, ZeroG has a Researcher’s Toolkit. ZeroG records system level signals at 1,000 times per second. This is extremely useful during gait studies when the precise rope force and rope angle need to be known throughout the gait cycle.

Q. What safety measures does ZeroG have?

ZeroG includes redundant sensors throughout the system that crosscheck critical signals, software monitoring at 1,000 times per second and a hardwired emergency stop. ZeroG is certified to AAMI ES 60601-1:2005/(R)2012 – Medical Electrical Equipment – Part 1: General Requirements for Basic Safety and Essential Performance, certified to electromagnetic emissions and immunity testing IEC/EN 60601-1-2 4^th edition – Medical Electrical Equipment – Part 1-2, and certified to 47 CFR Ch. 1 – FCC Part 15 – Radio Frequency Devices. There has never been a reported adverse event to a therapist or patient using ZeroG.

Q. How long does it take to set a patient up?

The average patient can begin a training session in less than 5 minutes. First, they are secured into a harness, which is then attached to the ZeroG spreader bar, and then the settings are selected from the computer and training can begin.

Q. Which treadmill can be integrated into the ZeroG controls?

A Sprintex medical treadmill can be integrated into the ZeroG software.  This allows the ZeroG touchscreen to control and change the speed and inclination angle.  Because the ZeroG software communicates with the Sprintex treadmill, training data such as walking distance and speed will be captured in the patient’s session data.  Additionally, with DualArrest^TM if the patient were to fall, ZeroG will automatically stop the treadmill. A standard off-the-shelf treadmill will not have these features when used with ZeroG.