GyroStim Origin Story
Born out of necessity, GyroStim’s initial mission to assist one young girl has transformed into a global solution, benefiting countless individuals from all walks of life.
The Inspiration
In 1997, Kevin and Rhonda Maher joyously welcomed their daughter, Mackenzie, into the world. But their happiness was quickly overshadowed by a heartbreaking reality. Born three months premature, Mackenzie faced an uphill battle from the very beginning. Diagnosed with severe spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy, doctors gave her a grim prognosis, suggesting a future burdened by intense disabilities.
However, the Mahers refused to accept this fate for their daughter. Rather than resigning to the diagnosis, they resolved to fight with everything they had to improve Mackenzie’s quality of life. They threw themselves into an intensive, at-home therapy program, determined to help her overcome the limitations set before her.
Mackenzie Maher age 3, propped up for the photo, prior to the development of the first GyroStim prototype.
By the time Mackenzie turned four-and-a-half, she was grappling with a multitude of challenges caused by the cerebral palsy, with motor control and balance being the most significant obstacles. Everyday tasks that most children took for granted were monumental hurdles for Mackenzie. The Mahers, desperate to find a solution, listened intently as Mackenzie's therapists recommended adding vestibular stimulation therapy to her already jam packed daily therapy routine. They suggested activities like chair spins, log rolls, and somersaults, all designed to stimulate and improve her balance and motor function.
With unwavering dedication, the Mahers turned their living room and dining room into therapy rooms, believing that each therapy activity and every roll and spin was a step closer to giving Mackenzie the chance she deserved. Every day, they worked tirelessly, their love and hope never faltering. What began as a small spark of belief soon ignited into a tireless pursuit of progress, as they refused to let the prognosis define their daughter's future.
In theory, vestibular stimulation therapy made perfect sense: to improve balance and motor control, you need to engage in activities that stimulate and challenge the vestibular system. But for Mackenzie, cerebral palsy had made even basic movements difficult, rendering her unable to perform the exercises on her own. As a result, the Mahers were forced to get creative, trying to provide the necessary motion-induced stimulation themselves. They worked tirelessly, tumbling and rolling Mackenzie on the floor for weeks—each session leaving them physically drained. But despite their relentless efforts, the therapy had to be discontinued. It wasn’t just hard; it was unsustainable.
Mackenzie Maher age 6, after lots of therapy with the early GyroStim prototypes.
The Motivation
Frustrated but determined, Kevin and Rhonda realized they needed a safer, more efficient solution. After searching high and low for specialized therapy equipment, they were shocked to discover that no such device existed—nothing that could provide the consistent, controlled vestibular stimulation that Mackenzie so desperately needed.
Kevin, a seasoned engineer with 20 years of experience working with robotic systems, refused to accept this as the end of the road. He turned his frustration into resolve and began to sketch out an idea. He envisioned a rotational chair that would safely rotate Mackenzie, providing the motion-induced therapeutic stimulation she needed. With a child’s car seat, plywood, and various bits of hardware in his garage, Kevin set to work one summer afternoon in 2002.
What began as an improvised solution would soon become a groundbreaking invention. Kevin had no way of knowing it at the time, but in that moment, he had created the GyroStim.
While Mackenzie's daily physical and cognitive therapies were certainly beneficial, the addition of the motion-induced stimulation seemed to be the catalyst, the missing piece of the puzzle, that enabled rapid gains in her balance, motor control, and other abilities.
Witnessing such significant progress, Mackenzie's therapists were astonished. They strongly encouraged Kevin to continue refining his device, urging him to make this powerful therapy accessible to others who could greatly benefit from it. Their endorsement solidified Kevin's belief that his life, once again, was on the cusp of a major shift.
Inspired and determined, Kevin decided to take a bold leap of faith. He committed himself fully to developing his invention into a cutting-edge medical device—one that could offer people like Mackenzie a safer, more accessible, and more effective form of therapy. He envisioned a future where this innovation would not only improve outcomes but also enhance quality of life for countless individuals in need.
When he first tested it on Mackenzie, there was no hesitation: she loved it. The rotational chair provided smooth, controlled motion, and it immediately became clear that it was a success. The effects were nothing short of remarkable. Within just a few weeks, Mackenzie’s balance had noticeably improved. But the benefits didn’t stop there.
Unexpectedly, her gross and fine motor skills began to develop at an accelerated pace. Her trunk control strengthened, and even her energy levels soared. Rhonda and Kevin watched in awe as Mackenzie’s mood lifted and her speech began to improve, all while she grew more confident in her movements. The motion-induced vestibular stimulation hadn’t just enhanced her balance—it had sparked a ripple effect, triggering improvements in areas they hadn’t even anticipated.
What had started as a desperate experiment in a small garage had become the key to unlocking Mackenzie’s potential in ways that no one, not even Kevin and Rhonda, could have imagined. The GyroStim had not only transformed their daughter’s therapy but had given the Mahers hope—hope they’d been missing for so long.
The Innovation
Between 2004 and 2006, the pace of innovation and development was nothing short of explosive, leading to the creation of the world’s first GyroStim: a computer-controlled, automated multi-axis rotational chair designed specifically for clinical applications.
In 2007, after the neighborhood kids had taken turns enjoying the newly automated device (and giving it rave reviews!), Kevin seized an opportunity to demonstrate its potential on a larger stage. He invited a group of researchers from the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) for a demo. From the moment they saw the device in action, the researchers were captivated by its precision and its ability to deliver complex, automated multi-axis rotational stimulation with unmatched programmable control.
Several meetings later, armed with a set of specifications tailored to the Air Force Academy’s needs, Kevin’s newly founded company, UltraThera Technologies, Inc., made its first sale. This success was just the beginning. Soon after, the Mayo Clinic Aerospace Medical Vestibular Research Laboratory purchased a second system, followed by dozens of additional orders from clinical and research applications. Each sale marked a new chapter in the company's growth and the broader potential of the technology in clinical settings.
2006: The first automated GyroStim prototype in the Maher's basement
2008: The first official GyroStim installation at USAFA for aerospace medical and research applications
2010: The first GyroStim installation for clinical and research applications
2015: The first GyroStim installation for athletic performance applications
2020: The GyroStim G3 with the fully integrated patient transfer system.
GyroStim Today
Since its inception, GyroStim technology and methodology have evolved through a relentless pursuit of advancements in clinical applications, human performance, and overall quality of life.
Today, the GyroStim G4 holds FDA clearance and has been designated by the FDA as a Breakthrough Medical Device. It is now in use across the United States and in eight other countries, with systems deployed in health clinics, sports training centers, research labs, universities, and military facilities around the world.
UltraThera’s headquarters is nestled at the base of Pikes Peak in downtown Colorado Springs, CO, while its research, development, and manufacturing operations are based in Golden, CO.
Mackenzie Today
Mackenzie Maher, the inspiration for GyroStim, has triumphed over many of the challenges posed by her initial diagnosis and prognosis. Defying the odds, she not only completed her Master’s Degree in Psychological Science from the University of Denver, but she is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing a PhD in Applied Developmental Science at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO.
Mackenzie is a testament to perseverance, courage, and unwavering faith. Her tenacity, compassionate spirit, and dedication to God fuel her determination. With a profound commitment to scientific research, she channels her personal experiences of growing up with cerebral palsy into her work. Her goal is to develop innovative interventions that will ultimately enhance the lives of others living with disabilities, transforming her personal journey into a beacon of hope for others.
