About Us

Who We Are

SpringWEAR builds off over 25+ years of research out of The Center for Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research (CABRR). SpringWEAR is developing a suite of devices that are affordable, customizable, wearable, and can be used outside the clinic for home rehab practice as well as for assistance in tasks of daily living. The impact of stroke on patients is diverse, so the market requires a range of solutions.

Since its establishment in 2021, the company has received multiple grants from the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. Alongside technical development, the company is building a wholistic platform for upper limb telehealth rehabilitation. The platform leverages scientific and engineering expertise, clinical data, and behavioral health to improve rehab outcomes.

Trust the Expertise

Here at SpringWear, we are driven by a dual purpose: to revolutionize stroke rehabilitation through cutting-edge technology and to provide a nurturing path towards independence and joy for all stroke survivors. SpringWear is working to deliver a suite of wearable devices and telehealth services that match the diverse needs of stroke patients.

Published Studies with our Devices

Milestones

  • 2023 BaltiPreneurs Accelerator Program

    (Award: Highest Potential Growth )

  • 2023 OpenWorks Enterprise (Pitch Competition Winner)

  • 2023 Technical.ly RealLIST Engineer

  • 2023 NIDILRR SBIR Phase I Award

  • 2022 NIDILRR SBIR Phase I Award

  • 2021 iMPACT BootCamp (Pitch Competition: 1st Place)

Partners:

Our Team

Dr. Rafael Casas

Dr. Rafael Casas is the CEO and founder of SpringWEAR. After completing his PhD, while conducting research in CABRR, Dr. Rafael Casas founded SpringWEAR to build on CABRR’s expertise, insights, and network and develop accessible wearable technologies for stroke patients. Dr. Casas has engaged a passionate team of advisors, contractors, and volunteers who have been supporting SpringWEAR’s work since 2021. He holds advanced degrees in Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering, has led and contributed to nine publications related to upper extremity stroke rehabilitation using robotic exoskeletons, and previously completed an IRTA fellowship at NIH. He also has over five years of additive manufacturing and fabrication experience. Since 2022, he has served as a PI on 2 SBIR Phase I studies.

Dr. Peter Lum

Dr. Peter Lum is SpringWEAR’s scientific advisor and research partner. He has been an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at Catholic University since 2007. He currently directs the Center for Applied Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Research at MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, and is also a Research Health Scientist at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center. As the Director for Catholic University’s CABBR, Dr. Lum has published 62 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and Google Scholar reports 7,864 total citations and an h-index of 39. He He has also served as project PI or co-investigator on 16 additional federally funded studies related to TBI, stroke and prosthetics. He has been part of 11 clinical trials for neurorehabilitation of upper extremity motor function after stroke (PI or co-PI on 9).

Diane Nichols, PT

Diane Nichols is a neurologic clinical specialist (NCS) and physical therapist with 30+ years of experience. She recently retired from MedStar NRH and will be employed by SpringWEAR. She supervised all the prior HandSOME I and II studies and has extensive experience in performing clinical scales. She supervises alpha testing and volunteer test sessions at CUA, screens patients for inclusion/exclusion criteria. Her exprience offers clinical guidance on the best strategies for effective use of new prototypes.