Faces of Technology
Electrifying Muscle
Movement
The spinal cord is the epicenter of the human
body, connecting the brain to nearly everything
else through the central nervous system. It’s
responsible for controlling all motor skills, from
running and jumping to opening doors and
brushing teeth. Damage to the spinal cord by
way of neurological disorders or injury can be
devastating and even result in paralysis.
But now there’s hope for a healthier, more
independent life for those impacted by spinal
cord damage thanks largely to developments
by Gainesville-based Myolyn.
“Myolyn is a combination of my two favorite
things: robotics and helping people,” said cofounder and CEO, Alan Hamlet, Ph.D.
Hamlet launched the company with co-founder
and CTO Matthew Bellman in 2013 during their
doctoral engineering program at the University
of Florida. With expertise in mechanical and
electrical engineering, the pair researched the
application of functional electrical stimulation
(FES) to certain muscle groups for bringing back
functional ability in people with paralysis.
The result of their research is the MyoCycle,
Myolyn’s recumbent tricycle, which relies on
FES to engage the legs and lower body. Unlike
passive technologies used more often today,
Myolyn gives the user active control. In other
words, users are not having their legs moved
for them – they’re exerting physical energy to
control the motion.
“The special sauce is our algorithm,” Hamlet
explained. Myolyn’s algorithm allows therapists
to control the parameters of FES stimulation, so
the intensity and timing of the electrical current
can be personalized for each patient.
Not only are MyoCycle users regaining control
of their movement, but they are exercising one
of the body’s largest muscle groups. This helps
muscle mass and bone density, and improves
long-term cardiovascular health. Even better
is the fact that MyoCycle users can regain a
sense of independence. Perhaps for the irst
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florida.HIGH.TECH 2016
Alan J. Hamlet
Chief Executive Oficer
Myolyn | www.myolyn.com
Education: B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida
M.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, University of Florida
Company: Myolyn is a medical technology company that is taking the
recent advances in robotics and automation and applying
them to rehabilitation and therapy. Myolyn’s products
improve the health, mobility and quality of life of individuals
with neurological disorders.
time, someone completely paralyzed from the waist down would be able to
enjoy a family bike ride around their neighborhood.
“It’s rewarding to take a concept and turn it into something physical that
can have a positive impact on the world,” said Hamlet.
Myolyn’s technology is currently in inal development stages and will soon
undergo approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hamlet is
excited about its implications for the medical ield and is conident they will
be able to start selling MyoCyles in the coming months.
“I foresee Myolyn’s FES cycle becoming a standard of care.”