Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare Acquires Product Line of De Oro Devices, Makers of NexStride® Gait-Cueing Device
Acquisition expands access to research-backed technology that helps people with neuroambulatory disorders stay active and reduce fall risk.
Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare (DDH), a global leader in durable medical equipment and respiratory products, announced today that it has acquired the product line of De Oro Devices, the California-based company behind NexStride®, a groundbreaking mobility aid designed to help people with Parkinson’s disease and other mobility-limiting conditions walk with greater safety and confidence.
Reconnecting Brain & Body for Better Mobility
Founded in 2018 by Sidney Collin and William Thompson, De Oro Devices launched NexStride as a clip-on cueing device to support mobility and physical activity for people with neuroambulatory disorders. About the size of a deck of cards, NexStride easily attaches to any cane, walker, or rollator and provides both visual and auditory cues—a laser line and a customizable metronome—that help re-establish the brain-body connection during walking.
Originally developed to address freezing of gait (FoG) in Parkinson’s disease, NexStride is now used by individuals with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, the effects of stroke, and other conditions. The device is available in seven countries, including the United States, where it is offered through the U.S. Veterans Health Administration and other distribution channels.
Maintaining physical activity is especially critical for individuals with neurodegenerative conditions. In fact, exercise is one of the only interventions shown to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. NexStride helps users stay active even when neurological symptoms interfere.
Clinical findings show that such cueing can reduce falls by up to 40% in people with Parkinson’s disease (Donovan et al., 2011) and continuous visual and auditory cues have been found to reduce both the number of freezing episodes by 43% and the mean duration of freezing by 69% in “on-demand” cueing (Velik et al., 2012). In total, more than 100 peer-reviewed studies support the efficacy of the visual and auditory cueing technologies used by NexStride.
Additionally, a recent survey of NexStride users showed promising self-reported benefits:
93% of users reported increased confidence while walking
86% noted improved general mobility
75% experienced decreased fear of falling
The device may also contribute to reducing fall risk, a major driver of healthcare spending. In the United States alone, non-fatal falls in adults over 65 cost the healthcare system over $50 billion annually, according to the CDC.
Driving Innovation for Better Outcomes
“NexStride shows how smart, research-backed technology can help people with neuroambulatory disorders stay active, live more independently, and potentially avoid complications,” said Derek Lampert, CEO of Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare. “We’re proud to help bring this innovative solution to more people who need it.”
As part of the acquisition, Sidney Collin, cofounder of De Oro Devices and inventor of NexStride, will join the company as Clinical Vice President – Product Management, leading the development of the NexStride product roadmap, navigating coverage pathways, and heading access initiatives to help more people benefit from the technology.
“This milestone is the culmination of years of dedication to a simple idea: that everyone deserves to walk with dignity and confidence,” said Collin. “Partnering with DDH means NexStride can now reach people faster and with greater support behind it. I’m deeply grateful to our team, our investors, and especially to the Parkinson’s community that inspired and informed every step of our journey.”
Author: Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare
