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The Regenstein Foundation Center for Bionic Medicine (CBM) is an internationally-recognized academic research center based in the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Established in 2006 by Dr. Todd Kuiken, MD, PhD, CBM is dedicated to using rigorous and multidisciplinary scientific, engineering, and clinical approaches to advance the technology used to provide superior patient outcomes.

Now led by Dr. Levi Hargrove, PhD, CBM is comprised of four integrated research groups: The Max Näder Center for Rehabilitation Technologies and Outcomes Research, The Neural Engineering for Prosthetics & Orthotics Laboratory, the Translational Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, and the laboratory of Dr. R. James Cotton, MD, PhD.

The overarching vision of CBM is develop, evaluate, and translate transformative technology to advance human ability.

In support of this vision, an interdisciplinary staff of more than 63 innovators — physicians, prosthetists, therapists, engineers, software developers, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students — collaborate closely to develop and field test next-generation artificial limbs, exoskeletons, and other robotic devices.

Specific areas of expertise of the team include:

• Device Design
• Device Evaluation
• Surgical Technique Development
• Wearable Sensing
• Control System Development
• Machine Learning and Data Science

Most recently, CBM researchers pioneered the development of an open-source, artificially intelligent bionic leg, a manual standing wheelchair that allows for mobility in both seated and standing positions, and a wearable sensor to monitor and track COVID-19-like signs and symptoms.

Collectively, the CBM team has published more than 200 articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been awarded more than $25 million in grant funding from federal, military and philanthropic sources.