assistive technologies feb/march 2010

By Dominic Musgrave

RESEARCHERS at an American universityhave developed a prosthetic device that putsthe spring back into an amputee's step. The Arizona State scientists have developedand refined SPARKy (for spring ankle withregenerative kinetics) into an energy storingbelow-the-knee prosthesis. It is believed to be the first system to applyregenerative kinetics to its design, whichresults in a lightweight device that allowsthe wearer to walk on grass, cement androcks, as well as ascend and descend stairsand inclines. Thomas Sugar, an associate professor ofengineering who led the research, said itworks by employing a spring to store energyas the wearer walks during normal gait.He added: “SPARKy basically removes theold passive devices and makes it an activedevice the wearer uses to attain normal gait,which for an amputee is a significant returnto normal function.”SPARKy is not only an active prostheticdevice, but it also allows a wider range ofmovement than previous devices, it weighsless and it causes less fatigue for the wearer. “It uses a robotic tendon to actively stretch

springs when the ankle rolls over the foot,allowing the springs to thrust or propel theartificial foot forward for the next step. “Because energy is stored, a lightweightmotor is used to adjust the position of afinely tuned spring that provides most of thepower required for gait.” SPARKy provides functionality withenhanced ankle motion and push-off powercomparable to the gait of an able bodiedindividual, and Thomas said it had reachedits primary goal of returning thefunctionality of the amputee to his/herstatus prior to losing a limb. He added: “The device is built to takeadvantage of the functional mechanics ofgait. A gait cycle is the natural motion ofwalking, starting with the heel strike of onefoot and ending with the heel strike of thesame foot. “The cycle can be split into two phases,stance and swing. We are concerned withstoring energy and releasing energy(regenerative kinetics) in the stance phase.” In the future, the team plans to makeadditional improvements to lower theweight of SPARKy further by integratingfaster microprocessors and using smallerlithium ion batteries.

Device putsspring backinto step ...

Fashionista Gok Wan gave makeovers to three women with variousdisabilities for his latest Channel 4 series. In How to Look GoodNaked ... With a Difference the television presenter met threewomen with zero body confidence, including 44-year-old mother ofthree Clare Smith, an amputee who lost her lower left leg in amotorbike accident but does not like to wear her prosthetic limb.

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE ISSUE 71 February/March 10 £6.95

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ContactsEditorialAndrew Harrod Group [email protected]

Dominic Musgrave Healthcare EditorEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01226 734407

Sales Ellen Sharp Sales representativeEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

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Whilst every effort ismade to ensure the accuracy of all contents,the publishers do notaccept liability for anyerror, printed or otherwise, that mayoccur.

www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

By Dominic Musgrave

A NEW kind of artificial kneejoint that could help people withlimb amputations walk morenaturally is under developmentat a Scottish university.

Academics at the NationalCentre for Prosthetics andOrthotics at Strathclyde areinvestigating whether Nitinol, a'memory metal', can be developed for use in thermo-mechanicalmuscles to actively powerartificial knee joints.

If successful, the technology willhelp replace lost musclefunction, helping the user towalk with a natural gait andmaking it easier to navigate hills

and stairs.

The research and developmentinitiative is being funded by theMinistry of Defence’s Science,Innovation and TechnologyDepartment (SIT).

Sandra Sexton, director of theNational Centre, said: "Shapememory alloys have many uses,from helping to reduce aircraftengine noise, to developingspectacles that don't lose theirshape.

“The funding from the Ministryof Defence will enable us to lookat how its properties can beused to develop new kinds ofthermo-mechanical muscles.

“Our end goal is to use alightweight memory metal to

create a new kind of artificialjoint that will reduce fatigue andcreate a better walkingexperience for users.”

It is hoped any new designsevolving from the work will helppeople with lower legamputations, includingservicemen injured by landminesor gunshot.

The research will be led by DrEmma Henderson, an expert inmemory metal, and will beconducted in collaboration withDr Arjan Buis.

The mechanical muscle project isone area of research where theNational Centre expects to seegrowth within its researchprofile.

New knee joint under development

Sandra Sexton

BHTA director general Ray Hodgkinsonhas been made an MBE in the Queen’sNew Year’s honours list for services to thehealthcare industry.

Fresh approach tobone health servicesPEOPLE who suffer from falls are setto benefit from a fresh approach tofalls and bone health services inSheffield.

The new Integrated Falls and BoneHealth Pathway is designed toimprove the way in which patientsare identified, referred, assessed, andtreated, by making it clearer to staffand patients which services areavailable and how and when they canaccess them.

One in three people over 65 who live in their own homes in the UKsuffer from a fall each year, and thenew approach is part of NHSSheffield’s contribution to reducingthis number.

Gill Agar, a clinical specialistphysiotherapist who has been leadingthe redesign for NHS Sheffield, said:“I started by consulting patients andvisiting current services to see ifanything could be improved and to

ensure national guidelines andstandards were being met.

“People told me that there needed tobe a more joined-up system wherepatients who had fallen wereidentified and treated more quicklyand effectively.

“The new approach means a clearerprocedure for clinicians and thoseworking with older people to follow, which will allow them toenter patients into the system much more easily. This is likely tolead to a reduced number ofrecurrent falls, injuries and fracturesand fewer admissions to carehomes.”

Also involved in the new approachwill be more of a focus on bonehealth, with checks made on patientsto find out if they are at risk ofosteoporosis, so they can thenreceive treatment to prevent possiblefractures.

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THE world’s first powered bionicfingers which allow patients withdamaged hands to bend, touch,pick-up and point have beendeveloped in Britain.

Created by the company behindaward winning bionics such as the i-LIMB Hand, the custom-mademotorised ProDigits, are directlycontrolled by the brain but requireno surgery.

The partial hand amputee populationthat could benefit from the newprosthesis is estimated at around52,000 in the EU and 1.2mworldwide.

Phil Newman, marketing director ofmanufacturer Touch Bionics, said:“There has been no solution like thisfor the partial hand amputeecommunity. The ProDigits provide apowered device with a grip and ithas returned these people to a levelof functionality and independence.

“It is supporting a community thathas never had support before.”

The fake digits, which are covered ina hi-tech robotic skin, are controlledby ‘myoelectric sensors’ whichregister signals from any muscles

that remain in the hand.Alternatively, they can be activatedby a touch pad. Patients can choosefrom a range of coverings includingnatural looking ‘livingskin’.

One of the first people to be fittedwith the fingers, which cost between£35,000 and £45,000, was formerconcert pianist Maria AntòniaIglesias, who underwent amputationof all extremities following an illnessin July 2003.

She told Assistive Technologies that

the new device has given herfunctionality she previously struggledto achieve, such as writing, holdingcutlery and drinking from a glass.

Maria Antònia added: “I am verypleased to be part of this project andthe benefits my new hand is givingme are like a dream.

“Even a simple thing like holdingand lifting a glass of water to drinkfrom was impossible before, but withProDigits I can do it easily.”

Maria Antònia Iglesias holds an object

Pioneering bionic fingersdeveloped in Britain

Sock designedto reduce‘phantom pain’A SOCK designed to reduce“phantom pain” for amputees hasbeen trialled by medics in Edinburgh.

Ninety per cent of patients at AstleyAinslie Hospital in Morningsidetesting the Relax Night socksreported a reduction in pain.

And 80 per cent of amputees at theprosthetics department within thesouth-east mobility and rehabilitationtechnology services (SMART) centresaid they experienced less sleepdisruption at night.

David Robertson, 71, had his left legamputated below the knee 20 yearsago, and has had phantom pain eversince. He said: “I’ve noticed a bigdifference since I started using thesock because I can now get to sleepat night. I used to have severe painwhich kept me awake.”

Elaine McCurrach, prosthetist at thehospital, added: “Some of ouramputees have severe phantom pain,which can have a very negativeeffect on their quality of life.

“We are delighted to show that thisproduct is an effective drug-freetreatment for night-time phantompain and to be able to make itavailable for all suitable patients.”

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BOB Watts, MD of Dorset Orthopaedic, first metHeather Mills in 1993 after she lost her leg in acollision with a police motorbike. He also worked with her a couple of years agowhen she competed in the American version of‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Dancing with Stars’.He told Assistive Technologies that her latestcompetition created a number of challenges forhim.Bob added: “The last few months have been a reallearning curve for me. The most important thing isthe socket because Heather is spending many hoursa week training on the ice, and if it isuncomfortable then she will have to leave it off acouple of days, which isn’t possible.“We needed to come up with something thatcould stand up to it, and it can take a couple ofmonths for the residual limb to shrink down to getthe best socket.

“Heather has to put her residual limbinto ice at night to cool it down, andthen needs to wear a bandage to ensurethat it doesn’t get bigger again,otherwise the prosthetic won’t fit.”He took advice from experts in a varietyof countries including Sweden. Americaand Australia before settling on whichlimb to use.Bob added: “The only information I

could find was on ice-hockey players, but theirskates are set up differently because they need togo from a stand still to quick movement so a lot offocus is on the inside edge.“After trying several options we opted for the OttoBock Dynamic Variflex because of the way it wentinto the skating boot and allowed her to skatemore smoothly.“Christopher Dean and Jayne Torvill also wantedher to look the same as all the other celebritiesbecause they felt it could work both ways with thegeneral public when it came to the voting.” And Bob has already had to make a second limbfor her because she has lost so much weight thather residual limb has shrunk.He added: “On one of the shows Heather wascomplaining that the original prosthetic was feelingheavy, which it does if it is not fitted tightly. I tookher a new one up when she was training and shesaid she was highly delighted with it.“She is quite a strong-willed person which I thinkcan put people off, and being from the North Eastshe tells it how it is, which some people takeoffence to.“When you work with her you see a different sideof her, and her focus is unbelievable, and it alwaysamazes me how she can concentrate for such longperiods. To her nothing is unachievable.”

An English company is helping Heather Mills to perform on ITVshow Dancing on Ice. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

BOB has also fitted a new leg for a Marinewho is running the London Marathon for asecond time, after receiving a letter from aneight-year-old girl.

Lydia Cross lost both her legs to meningitiswhen she was two, and wrote to Bob askingfor help for Ben McBean, who lost his rightleg and left arm in a Taliban landmine blast.

Last year he ran the Marathon but sufferedfrom blisters, prompting Lydia to ask for helpafter meeting him during a visit to HeadleyCourt.

Bob said: “I’ve known Lydia for a few yearsand when she wrote to me asking for my helpI couldn’t really say no, especially as Ben hasput his life on the line for his country.

“Last year he did the London Marathon, butwhat he didn’t know at the time was that hissocket was a bit loose, which left him in anawful lot of pain, and the residual limb was ina real poor condition.

“I fitted him recently and he was outsiderunning up and down really comfortably.”

How Bob helped Heatherwith her ice challenge

An answer to young Lydia’s plea

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AN Austrian man who lost botharms in an industrial accidentfour years ago can sensetemperature, identify rough andsmooth surfaces and feel thestrength of a handshake with hisartificial hand. And Christian Kandlbauer hasalso passed his driving test usingthe Otto Bock artificial arms,which are the first to transmitsensory perceptions back to thebrain via nerve tracts. The 23-year-old lost both arms inSeptember 2005 after beingzapped by 20,000 volts. Heunderwent complex surgery thatrelocated many of his nervesbefore becoming the first man tobe fitted with the intelligentartificial limbs.Now Christian just has to thinkwhat he wants his arms to do.The thought creates an electricalimpulse in his nerve endings thatpowers the artificial limb.Head of the Mind-ControlledArm project Dr Hubert Eggersaid: “Micro-sensors that recordthe temperature, grippingstrength and surfacecharacteristics of the object beinggripped are integrated into the

tip of the index finger on theprosthetic hand.“A microchip translates themeasured data into suitablestimuli and transmits them toactuators on the skin. Thesegenerate natural stimuli for thereceptors of the sensory nervefibres, restoring sensoryperception in the brain: As beforethe amputation, the prosthesiswearer feels with the index fingerof the natural hand.” The prosthesis with sensoryperception is a prototype, andresearchers expect furtherdevelopment to takeapproximately four years. But themind-controlled prosthesis isready for everyday use, andChristian wears it on the left side. On the right he uses theDynamicArm®, a muscle-controlled arm prosthesis thatcaptures electric currentsgenerated by muscle contractionsusing electrodes on the skin andtranslates them into controlsignals for the prosthesis. He drives to his job at awarehouse in a car that has beenspecially modified for him.

Christian Kandlbauer

Christian ‘just hasto think what hewants arms to do’

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THE new procedure enablespatients to return home earlierfollowing less demandingphysiotherapy, and also helps toprotect implants from wearingthrough misalignment.

Businessman Stan Lamb, who hashelped grow his company SolventResource Management Ltd into amulti-million pound organisation,was one of the first patients toundergo the pioneering surgery.

For five years, the 63-year-old hadbeen hampered with a badlyarthritic right knee which resultedin him becoming all but desk-bound.

Being forced to manage acrossthree chemical plants demands hismobility and, therefore, he wasreferred to a consultantorthopaedic surgeon at SpireWashington Hospital.

Stan said: “The pain was too great

to dismiss and I had to resort to awalking aid to get around.

“My job is demanding, and I’moften required to climb storagetank stairs to aid inspection of thechemical plants – and I also needto interact with the wholeworkforce, includingadministration, operational andengineering professionals.

“This meant that I needed to behighly mobile. I knew that surgerywas the only option available, andI was keen to get on my feetquickly with minimal disruption.”

During consultation withconsultant Lee Longstaff, Stan wasinformed about a new operationfor knee replacement surgery thatcould improve accuracy of theoperation and his longer-termprognosis.

The computer-aided kneereplacement surgery can

rehabilitate patients quicker as itprovides greater visualisation forsurgeons to better align andposition the knee implant.

Using a computer connected to asurgical infrared camera, theconsultant can track and monitorthe operation to ensure increasedaccuracy.

Lee said: “Stan was a suitablecandidate as he is still fairly youngand wanted to get back to workquickly. Longer term outcomes arealso likely to be improved due tomore accurate alignment Mr Lambcan be quickly rehabilitated.”

He underwent surgery onSeptember 5 last year and wasback at home three days later. Hereturned to work six weeks afterthe procedure.

Apprehensive about the operation,Stan was reassured when he wasgiven an in-depth explanation

about what the operation entailed.

Post-surgery, he was assessed andallowed to return home.

He now undergoes regularphysiotherapy sessions to helpensure the knee is functioningproperly.

Pioneering knee surgery which uses a computer to guarantee perfectly aligned joints is beingspearheaded by a Sunderland hospital. Dominic Musgrave reports

Stan Lamb

New knee surgery technique enablespatients to return home earlier

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AMPUTEES who use running-specificprosthetic legs have no performanceadvantage over counterparts who use theirbiological legs, it has been claimed.

The study by six American researchers wasspurred when Oscar Pistorius, a bilateralamputee, was banned by the InternationalAssociation of Athletics Federations fromcompeting in the 400 metres at the 2008Olympic Games in Beijing, and other able-body races.

They claimed that his Ossur made CheetahFlex-Foot prostheses provided significantadvantages over non-amputee competitors,agreeing with other studies that foundprostheses reduce the energy cost ofrunning.

In addition, some have also suggested thatthe lighter weight of specially designedsport prostheses results in a quicker swingof the leg.

Rodger Kram, of CU-Boulder’s departmentof integrative physiology and its LocomotionLaboratory, said data in the study includednew measurements taken from an analysisof six unilateral amputees.

He added: “We have already shown thatPistorius runs differently in terms of hisbiomechanics. Now we have much moreclear evidence that his prosthetic legs incursignificant disadvantages.

“We found that Pistorius and the otheramputee sprinters have leg swing times forboth their prosthetic and biological legs thatare very similar to those of Usain Bolt.

“We think the amputees learn that swingingtheir legs rapidly can help to partiallycompensate for their force disadvantage.”

The researchers measured forces exerted onthe ground and leg “swing times” while theunilateral amputees ran on a high-speedtreadmill at The Orthopedic SpecialtyHospital.

The running-specific prostheses impaired theforce production of runners by an averageof nine per cent. Force production isgenerally believed to be the key factorbehind running speed. No differences in legswing times were measured.

One of Ridger’s undergraduate students,Matt Beale, also analysed video from the2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Using running-specificprosthetic legs gives ‘noperformance advantage’

Oscar Pistorius

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Tree branch study couldbring better bonerepairs for childrenBy Dominic Musgrave

A STUDY into why tree branches buckle or split ratherthan break cleanly could help orthopaedic surgeonsdo a better repair job on children’s broken bones.Children are prone to what doctors term “greenstickfractures” – their bones do not break cleanly; theybreak halfway across then split longitudinally. Treebranches do the same.Dr Roland Ennos and his team at The University ofManchester are analysing tree branches to find outwhy they do this.He said: “The cell structure in wood is like lots ofdrinking straws packed together along the branch. Sobranches are stiffer along their length than side-to-side. When you try to snap them, you applylongitudinal and transverse pressure. This stretchesone side of the branch and compresses the other.“Denser wood has thicker-walled cells so theapplication of force causes the branch to breakhalfway across then split along its length, as the lowtransverse tensile strength diverts the cracklongitudinally.”The theoretical study will be followed by a practicalstudy on three different woods: willow, ash andhazel. He added: “I remembered children’s boneswere susceptible to ‘greenstick fracture’, breaking andsplitting in exactly the same way. When I read

through the literature, no one knew why.“It appears that the crystals in bone are oriented inthe same way, longitudinally along the bone, like thecells in wood are. “Adult bones are heavily remodeled by beingdissolved and laid down again, so the crystals in theirbones lie in different directions. Bones are remodeledto stop cracks from developing – the crystals dissolveand are re-laid in those places. Children’s bones havenot had time to do that. This is something we couldstudy further with an orthopaedic surgeon.”Dr Ennos came up with the idea for the study on awalk through the woods near his home in Buxton,Derbyshire. He added: “I was walking through ourlocal wood and breaking twigs off trees andwondering why they were breaking in these twoparticular ways. The cells are arranged this way inorder to draw water up and along branches and theminor downside is that they are more prone tobuckling or splitting. But wood is a marvelousmaterial, the best in the world, better than steel orplastic. “We ought to return to an age of wood, in myopinion. We have a feel for wood that goes back toour early ancestors, when we used to cut branchesoff trees to make into spears and other tools.Understanding precisely how it works should help usdesign the tools of the future.”

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By Dominic Musgrave

MOBILITY scooters could be fittedwith tracking technology to helpolder and vulnerable people leavetheir homes without fear of gettinglost.

Researchers at De MontfortUniversity, Leicester and theUniversity of Lincoln aim to developa device that fits into scooters andupdates local authority care providersof the person’s location using mobilephone technology.

DMU’s Dr Eric Goodyer and Dr AmrAhmed, of the University of Lincoln,are leading the project, entitled‘Integrating mobility vehicles anddevices with smart homes’, which isfunded by a £40,000 HigherEducation Collaboration (HEI) Grantfrom the Transport innovationNetwork (iNet).

Dr Goodyer said: “We do not wantpeople’s homes to become prisons.

We want to extend home-basedtelecare into mobile telecare devicesso that support can still be availablewhen older people go out of thehouse and they can continue livingnormal lives in the community.

“During this project we will developan electronic device that fits neatlyinto a standard mobility scooter, andwill monitor the user’s location andwell-being.

“The device will connect to theremote care provider using mobilephone technology and a trackerdevice will be used to locate them.

“Once they return home the devicewill then connect the mobilityscooter into the user's home telecarenetwork using a private radioconnection.”

The device will enable care staff tolocate the person should anemergency arise while they are awayfrom their home and then send

assistance to them.

Dr Ahmed added: “The digital eraand the increasing number of onlineservices mean that more support isavailable to help older peoplemaintain a lifestyle that is asindependent as possible. Thissupport should cover not onlyactivities within the house, but thoseoutside it as well.

“We will explore the support thattechnology can offer older people ingoing out and doing commonactivities such as shopping.

“Given the availability of varioussensors and assistive home networks,integrating those and effectivelycommunicating with them wouldprovide assistance andencouragement for older people tocontinue enjoying a healthy sociallife.”

Dr Goodyer and Dr Ahmed will alsoexplore the feasibility of developing a

generic hardware and softwareinterface that could be used inmobile telecare devices to ensurethere is an open standard.

Dr Eric Goodyer

Tracking technology ideafor mobility scooters

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Company launches newfabrication serviceONE of the country’s leading orthopaediccompanies has expanded to offer a customfabrication service.

Blackburn-based Beagle Orthopaedic’s newworkshop will be managed by director AndyDewsbury and production manager SteveHague, who have more than 50 years’ orthoticfabrication experience between them.

Andy has previously worked at RemployHealthcare and the Robert Jones and AgnesHunt orthopaedic hospital in Shropshire, andhas been at Beagle since August, planning andequipping the workshop as well as researchingthe market with the sales team.

He said: “We have set up the customfabrication workshop to complement the stockproducts that we already supply, which willmake us into a one-stop shop.

“We are offering a full range of custom madeorthoses including foot and ankle orthotics anda modern range of spinal bracing. We havealso developed our new Evolution range ofstate-of-the-art foot orthoses.

“We shall also be offering a laser scanningservice later this year. Beagle has already builtup a good reputation for customer service and,as well as the standard five-day turnaround, wecan also offer a three-day express delivery ifrequired.”

Steve Hague has worked for several leading

orthopaedic manufacturers, including Medicare,Chas. Blatchford, Talar Made and Langer UK.

Beagle’s MD Len Lloyd said: “Our company ispredominantly set up to bring value to themarket, and we shall do this by selling highquality products backed up with strongeducational support.

“We are one of only two companies in thecountry to manufacture orthopaedic softgoods, and we only use UK suppliers for rawmaterials, so we are assured of the qualitythroughout the whole manufacturing process.

“We have a strategic objective to grow intonew markets, as well as bringing innovation tothe existing segments. Our intention is to growboth organically and through acquisitions, withparticular emphasis on the latter.”

Boccia champion Nigel Murray tries out a new piece of equipment

TRIPLE Paralympic medal winner Nigel Murray officiallyopened the new disabled access fitness suite at theUniversity of Warwick.The university’s sports centre has been awarded InclusiveFitness Initiative (IFI) accreditation after investing in stafftraining and equipment that can be used by disabledpeople and non-disabled.It has invested in excess of £30,000 in new equipmentincluding a handbike, a cable crossover machine and anew treadmill. Director of physical education and sport TerryMonnington said: “We are delighted that we have beengiven IFI accreditation, we have invested heavily inmaking sure we are providing some of the best facilitiesfor disabled and non-disabled people.“Getting this accreditation is vitally important as we arepotentially going to be an Olympic and Paralympictraining camp. It is fantastic that we had Nigel and oneof our regular centre users John Silke here to help uscelebrate.”

New fitness suite openedThe new workshop at Beagle Orthopaedic

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REMOTELY monitored in-homevirtual reality video games areimproving hand function andforearm bone health in teenagerswith hemiplegic cerebral palsy,American university researchersclaim.

Meredith Golomb, an associateprofessor of neurology at IndianaUniversity School of Medicine, whois leading the study, saidcustomised videogames are helpingyoungsters perform activities ofdaily living such as eating, dressing,cooking, and other tasks for whichtwo hands are needed.

She said: “While these initialencouraging results were in teenswith limited hand and arm functiondue to perinatal brain injury, wesuspect using these games couldsimilarly benefit individuals withother illness that affect movement,such as multiple sclerosis, stroke,arthritis and even those withorthopedic injuries affecting the

arm or hand.

“Popular off-the-shelf games aretargeted to people with normalhand and arm function andcoordination. These games don’twork for or benefit those withmoderate-severe hemiplegiccerebral palsy and many otherdisorders that affect movement.

“They just aren’t made to be usedby or improve hands that can’tpinch or grasp.”

The three study participants wereasked to exercise the affected handabout 30 minutes a day, five days aweek using a specially fitted sensorglove linked to a remotelymonitored videogame consoleinstalled in their home.

Games, such as one makingimages appear were customdeveloped at another university,calibrated to the individual teen’shand functionality, included ascreen avatar of the hand, andfocused on improvement of whole

hand function.

Meredith added: “Popular off-the-shelf games are targeted to peoplewith normal hand and armfunction and coordination.

“These games don’t work for orbenefit those with moderate-severehemiplegic cerebral palsy and manyother disorders that affectmovement. They just aren’t madeto be used by or improve handsthat can’t pinch or grasp.

“In the future, physical therapistscould remotely monitor patients’progress and make adjustments tothe intensity of game play to allowprogressive work on affectedmuscles. In addition to meeting anunfulfilled need, this couldpotentially also save money andtime.”

The research was funded by theNational Institute of NeurologicalDisorders and Stroke (part of theNational Institutes of Health) andby the Clarian Values Fund.

A resident playing one of the games as part of the trial

Videogameboost fordisabledteens

Occupationaltherapistsuspendedfor a yearAN occupational therapist has beensuspended for a year due to a lack ofcompetence.A panel of the HPC Conduct andCompetence Committee heard howKhaleda Zaman had weeklysupervised sessions while working atTower Hamlets Primary Care Trustafter difficulties emerged in herpatient documentation and clinicalreasoning abilities. They heard that complaints werelater made about her performancewhile working in both the strokerehabilitation and acute medicalwards.The Panel further heard that theproblems persisted withoutimprovement to the end of therotation, and that she was offeredextra support and a reduction inpatient numbers and casecomplexity. Panel chair Colin Allies said: “ThePanel finds that Khaleda Zaman’sreflections in her patient notes wereincomplete, lacked detail and did nothave background information”“The Panel is satisfied that thesewide-ranging and fundamentalshortcomings demonstrated acomprehensive lack of competence,she simply lacked core skills.”

System launchedA NEW garment-based electricalmuscle stimulation system whichclaims to accelerate rehabilitation forthose recovering from serious kneeconditions has been launched in theUK. Kneehab, which was designedby electrotherapy technologycompany Neurotech in associationwith the University College ofDublin’s School of Physiotherapy,works by re-educating and strength-ening the quadriceps muscle throughprogrammable cycles of contractionand relaxation. It is available fromMobilis Rolyan for direct purchase ormonthly hire.

New surgeon appointed in LincolnshirePATIENTS in Lincolnshire with brokenbones and limb deformities arebenefiting from the appointment of anew surgeon.

Senbaga Needhirajan has recentlystarted work as a consultantorthopaedic surgeon at LincolnCounty Hospital and as well asworking in general orthopaedics and

trauma, he will also be working inthe area of paediatric orthopaedicsand limb reconstruction for children.

He trained in Wessex and completedfellowship programmes in Readingand Sheffield as well as at therenowned Lizarov centre in Russia.

Senbaga said: “In Sheffield I wastrained to manage paediatric trauma

and orthopaedic problems, andparticularly on the correction of limb deformities in children usingframes.

“The use of frames to mend multiplelong bone fractures or to help peoplewith conditions such as club foot orlimb deformities is very specialist,but also very effective.”

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Flexyfootimprovesgrip of aidsFLEXYFOOT is a new ferrulethat uses the same shockabsorbency devices as top-of-the-range 4x4 vehicles.

It hugely improves the grip ofaids, leaving users feelingsignificantly more stable andreducing falls markedly.

Users on a trial conducted bythe independent A-T Carepraised the grip, comfort,safety and reduction in armand shoulder pain.

Flexyfoot uses a patentedsealed plastic bellows: the airinside is pressurised duringeach step.

Shock is progressivelyabsorbed as the bellows issqueezed.

The bellows simultaneouslyflex so that the tread is alwaysin full contact with the groundto maximise grip and wearresistance – just like a car’ssuspension and tyre.

In tests, Flexyfoot had 50 percent more grip than astandard ferrule and lasted 50per cent longer.

Call for banks to step upand support companiesTOUCH Bionics has completed an£800,000 loan to help expansionfollowing the launch of the world’s firstbionic fingers.

Archangel Informal Investment Ltd,who have supported the companysince its inception, has arranged thedeal following the launch of ProDigitsin December.

Touch Bionics CEO Stuart Mead said:“Touch Bionics, like so many

companies, has myriad financialconsiderations as it grows and bringsnew products to market.

“Many companies in a growth positionsuch as ours are in a challenging spot -expanding into new markets and hiringadditional staff in order to meetgrowing demand requires funding.

“Yet the banks are hesitant to providefunding because they’re still risk averseas a result of the financial crisis. This

can hamper progress needlessly – it’stime for the banks to step-up and startsupporting profitable fast-growthcompanies.”

Touch Bionics’ prosthetic productsinclude LIVINGSKIN, the high-definitioncosmesis that closely resembles naturalskin; ProDigits, the world’s first bionicfingers; and the i-LIMB Hand, a full-hand prosthesis with fully articulatingfingers that both looks and acts like areal hand.

THE Friday programme at the annualBAPO conference has a ‘what to do if’feel about it, and features a talk by DrJudy Ormrod on dealing with violenceand aggression within the clinical workplace.Paediatric consultant Dr RachaelHutchinson will be describing thechanges that she has made in her owntrust in respect to prescribing insolesand heel cups for children withasymptomatic flat feet.And Bilateral amputee Darren Swift,who has worked as a film and TV extraand action performer for the last 17

years, will be giving a talk on his lifeand experiences as an amputee. His current project is trying to developa snowboard bindings system that willenable himself and others with doublelower limb amputations to participateefficiently and effectively.Saturday’s programme is packed full oforthotic and prosthetic talks, and willagain feature interactive workshopsfeaturing Steve Osborne, Paul Charltonand Mike Grice. Steve will present onstrapping and manipulation techniquesfor the feet, Paul on the assessment ofhemiplegia and Mike a practical

session on biomechanical screening. Other speakers include Dr Rob Forsyth,senior lecturer and consultant in paed-iatric neurology at Newcastle Univer-sity, who will speak on paediatric neur-orehabilitation after acquired braininjury. Rod Heather and Alan Tannerwill give a refresher on conventionallimbs, while the topic of stump will beexplored and discussed by NicolaTebbutt, a specialised physiotherapistin amputee rehabilitation and LesleyRobinson, vascular nurse. The eventonce again takes place at the De VereHotel in Bolton on March 5 and 6.

Varied programme at BAPO conference

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Revamped cataloguedoubles the choice ...THE revamped Tivoli footwearcatalogue from Remploy Healthcareis now available, showcasing morethan double the previous choice ofcolours, styles and soles for bothmen and women.

With detailed illustrations of the fulland extended Tivoli range, which hasrisen from 64 to 120, the newcatalogue contains a quick referencecolour and style chart and easy touse measurement guides for better

specification and improved fit.

Designed to address the market’sdemand for style and fashion as wellas quality, support and comfort, theTivoli footwear range includes formaland casual boots, shoes and trainers,as well as an extensive selection ofspecialist diabetic footwear and soles

In addition to the existing range ofsole options and colours, RemployHealthcare can now offer newrheumatoid and contour lasts.

INVACARE has scooped theprestigious ‘Partnership with theNHS/Academia Award’ at theMediWales Innovation ceremony,held recently in Cardiff.

The Bridgend-based company wonthe award for its innovative Homefilloxygen concept, a portable fillingsystem that allows the patient to filloxygen cylinders and be suppliedwith oxygen via the concentrator atthe same time.

With this new system patients canhave an unlimited supply of oxygen,without the fuss and hassle ofhandling liquid oxygen cylinders. Asignificant benefit of using the

Invacare Homefill system also meansa reduction in the production andtransportation costs compared to thetraditional method.

Working in partnership with DolbyMedical and the NHS, Invacaredeveloped a patient trial in Scotlandand then delivered 200 units topatients when there was a shortageof oxygen cylinders. The trial aimedto introduce an innovative system toimprove patient care and to decreasecosts of the current service.

During the same period Invacarelaunched the Homefill in Ireland withexcellent clinical and patientfeedback.

Symposium looks atknee replacementdevelopmentsBy Dominic Musgrave

SURGEONS from across the countryjoined experts at the NuffieldOrthopaedic Centre to discuss partialknee replacement techniques anddevelopments in the treatment ofarthritis of the knee.

The symposium was held inpartnership with the University ofOxford, where important research programmes to understand the impact of kneereplacement or surgical repair on the disease are underway as partof the Biomedical Research Unitstudies.

The conference looked at thesurgical options, highlighting someof the indications from the researchbeing undertaken to reduce the risksof knee replacement and to identifyearly interventional treatments thatmay delay or prevent progression ofosteoarthritis.

Specialist consultant knee surgeonAndrew Price said: “There is a long-standing collaboration betweenmany surgeons with an interest in

this field.

”We have a wealth of expertise atthe hospital with consultants whohave a long-standing reputation inthe research and development ofnew treatments for commonconditions such as arthritis whichhave a considerable impact on ourpatients' lives.

"It is very important that we are ableto share our expertise, and thesymposium provided a platform forleading surgeons to debate some ofthe issues around partial kneereplacement in patients witharthritis."

Studies by consultant orthopaedicsurgeons at the NOC are focusingon therapies to prevent arthritis developing or to slow itsprogress.

In addition, work at the BiomedicalResearch Unit involves the designand introduction of new kneeimplants, which it is hoped willprovide patients with improved kneefunction following replacementsurgery.

Invacare scoops prestigious award

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HALINA Baker and Sarah Pickleswere named joint winners of thephysiotherapist of the yearnominated by patients award at aceremony in London.

The Chartered Society ofPhysiotherapy’s annual event at theHotel Russell celebrated members’outstanding contributions to theprofession.

Halina was nominated for herinspirational work as a pulmonary

rehabilitation programme physio atJames Cook University hospital inMiddlesbrough, while Sarah, acommunity physiotherapist atBroadmeadow Health Centre inBirmingham, was nominated by thefamily of a patient with Parkinson'sdisease and dementia for making a‘significant difference’ to their lives.

Nicola Hunter won thephysiotherapist of the year awardnominated by professionals, while

Laura Goldie took the newcomerprize for her work at a private clinicin Peterborough and with a localcharity for disabled people.

And Danielle Freeth, who works asa technical instructor grade two ata regional limb centre in theWexham Park hospital, Slough wasnamed support worker of the year.

Three CSP members also receiveddistinguished service awards foroutstanding contributions.

Joint win for Halina and SarahThe winners

Students gatherfor conferenceSTUDENTS from eight universitiesgathered in Teesside for the Northernand Yorkshire Regional OccupationalTherapy Student conference.The event, which is in its second year,had the theme of holism, a corephilosophy of occupational therapy.Speakers included Marg Foster, co-editor of Occupational Therapy andPhysical Dysfunction, Dr Sheena Blairfrom Glasgow Caledonian universityand Claire Smith from Teessideuniversity.Third year student Aisling Durkin,who organised the conference alongwith Genevieve Butler and LindaHenson, said: “The conference andworkshops are important as they helpstudents to improve their knowledgeof occupational therapy, as wellallowing the student to network andgoing towards the professionalportfolio. This year’s event gavestudents the opportunity to listen toprominent speakers and take part in arange of workshops run by clinicians,academics and students. “Holism is considered to be a veryimportant part of our interactionswith clients. It involves looking atevery aspect of the person from thesocial aspect to the physiological andpsychological too.”

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THE Langer Group of companieshave relocated to a new purpose-designed location in Staffordshire. The RX division, established in 1990,has moved from Wellington,TMCustom, acquired from TalarMade in 2009, from Chesterfieldand Langer, established in 1985 fromCheadle to the site in Stone. Each division will continue tomanufacture in their own particularway, with RX utilising entirely handpoured casting and rectificationprocesses, Langer a combination ofhand poured and scanned and milledproduct, and TM Custom entirelyscanned and milled products.Managing director Adrian Bishopsaid the move has resulted in thecompany recruiting approximately 15extra staff, taking the total employedat Stone to over 60. He added: “We will continue to runthe three divisions separately butunder one roof, with only shipping,customer service and finance havingshared personnel and facilities. Afterclosing all manufacturing in themiddle of December, we reopenedthe new laboratory on January 4with all new plant and machinerysupplied by German companyMebus. We are already seeing thebenefits of the new machinery inboth product quality and speed ofmanufacture.”

“The build up of orders during theextended shutdown lead to asignificant increase in turnaroundtime for all three divisions, but thevast majority of our customers werevery understanding and at the startof February we are on track tomaintain the guaranteed 10-day in-lab turnaround going forwards.”Combining the companies as onegroup brings together more than 50years’ manufacturing experience andthe opportunity to offer an unrivalledrange of custom products. Adrian continued: “Whatever type ofdevice is required we can nowmanufacture it, from RX devicesfirmly based in RootianBiomechanics, through thetraditional Langer orthoses to thedirect milled approach of TMCustom.”

The new group also has the capacityto manufacture AFO, KAFO andupper body orthoses utilising theadvanced Scangogh scanner andVoram mill set-up. The introduction of new scannertechnology has enabled the group toexpand into Europe using agents inItaly, Spain, Portugal, Scandanavia,and Greece. The agent is providedwith an advanced 3D scanner andlocal foot specialists send their castsor impression boxes to them. Once scanned they are e-maileddirect to Stone, along with theprescription or clinical investigationnotes, and sent straight to the millqueue. This process takes around 3days out of the turnaround timeallowing us to return anywhere inEurope within 14 days.The group sees education as the

cornerstone of its business and iscontinuing with the established andrespected RX Summer School, thisyear the theme is “Biomechanics inthe 21st Century” using mainly UKbased speakers. However, with thetraining facilities they now have inStone they will be running monthlyday sessions for up to 20 delegatesat a time focusing on basic bio-mechanics and prescription writing. Adrian added: “We know there are asignificant number of foot specialistswho do not utilise orthotictreatments because they feel theyhave not had sufficient training – weintend to change that situation andat the same time build our customorthotic business.”The move to Stone gives all threedivisions an opportunity to re-focusand marks the start of a new era.Adrian continued: “Our approachhas always been to strive forconstant improvement of quality andservice, and this investment ofaround £1.5m is an indication howserious we are. However, we alsowant to have fun in what we do,and this will be reflected in our standat BAPO.”

For more information on training coursesor any other aspects of the business

please contact Langer Group on08456780182 or visit their website at

www.lbguk.com.

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Fitz Kidz are to exhibit their new range ofFast Fit DAFOs at the annual BAPO conferencewhich takes place in Bolton on March 5 and6. The devices offer the clinician a fullycorrectible foot alignment orthosis, analternative to casting which provides a high-standard of fit and function that can beachieved in one clinical appointment.With their precision-moulded double shell forwrap-around control and extra heelstabilisation, they can provide effective andimmediate treatment for patients whodemonstrate instability during weight-bearing. Orthotic practitioners and othervisiting delegates will be able to view thenew JumpStart range of Fast Fit DAFOs atOrtho Europe’s stand (number 79).

£1,000 is up for grabs for thewinning school or club in theMobility Roadshow’s sixth annualReady Willing and Mobilecompetition.

To celebrate National YoungDisabled Persons’ Day on July 3, theevent seeks bright ideas to helpchildren with disabilities on themove – at home, at school and atplay.

To enter, all that is needed is apicture with a short description –what it is, how it works and how it

could help.

Previous entries have includedaccessible sports and playequipment, accessories and tools,communication and shopping aidsand funky lifestyle wheelchairs.

There are two age categories 7 to11 and 12 to 16, with a winner andrunner-up in each age group. Anoutright winner is then chosen fromthe two age group winners.

The outright winner receives £1,000cash towards equipment or projects

for their school or club, art andcrafts materials worth £250 and£100 worth of books. Forthemselves they bag an overnightstay for four at a top London hotelwith a trip on the London Eye.

Each of the two age categorywinners receives a digital camera,£50 worth of books and a VIP visitto the show at the East of Englandshowground, Peterborough whenthe winners will be announced.

Entries close on March 31.

2009 winners Caitlin and Olivia Brough, 11-year-old twins from Marden Bridge Middle School in Whitley Bay, with Sharron Davies.

Ready Willing and Mobile ideas sought

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Dame Joan Bakewell opens the new building with MidTECH senior innovation managerMichael Smith, HDTI Coventry University director Simon Fielden and vice-chancellorprofessor Madeleine Atkins.

DAME Joan Bakewell has officiallyopened Coventry University's new£4.5m Health Design and TechnologyInstitute (HDTI) building.HDTI is working with businesses,entrepreneurs, healthcareprofessionals and users to developproducts and services to improve thedaily living of the ageing population,people with disabilities, and chronicillnesses.Dame Joan, the government's 'Voiceof Older People', said: “Medicine,hygiene and social care increase ourchances of totting up the years. Butlongevity for its own sake is not theappropriate objective.“What matters more is the quality ofhow those years are lived. Mere

existence without any quality of lifeis not in itself to be valued. “The things that make life valuableare the same in your 80s and 90s aswhen you are younger: relativephysical comfort, freedom fromanxiety, fulfilling activity and the joysof family and friends. Anything thatadds to these values will bebenefiting the human race.”The new HDTI building, funded by acapital investment from AdvantageWest Midlands, includes a mock-uparea where companies can testprototypes, a usability suite wherenew products can be evaluated byusers, seminar rooms, a designstudio, workshop and rentable officespace for healthcare businesses.

Dame opens £4.5m building

Project examinesthe effects ofsensory feedbackBy Dominic Musgrave

RESEARCHERS at Bradford Universityare working on a two-year project toexamine the extent to which sensoryfeedback affects the performance ofartificial limbs.It is hoped the project will lead to abetter understanding of problemsassociated with existing prostheticdesign and lead to improvements inmechanical function. Principleresearcher Dr John Buckley said theimprovements could be in the formof audio or vibrational signalsintegrated into the prosthetic toprovide enhanced sensory cues tothe wearer.He added: “If we determine vision isa key element, then we canincorporate other sensory signals intoprosthetics. Very little work has beendone on how the amount of controlan amputee has over their prostheticlimb. With this research, we hope todetermine whether incorporatingdesign features that improvesensorimotor control is as importantas working on design features that

improve mechanical function.”As well as examining the relationshipbetween mechanical function andsensory feedback, the project aims todetermine the extent to which thecontrol of the artificial limb is relianton visual cues by analysing howamputees negotiate obstacles on thefloor when their lower vision isblocked.Dr Buckley said recent technologicaladvancements have improved theperformance of artificial limbs andmade the understanding of thesensorimotor control of the wearereven more significant to their design.He added: “If we determine vision isa key element in controllingprosthesis, then we can incorporateother sensory signals into theirdesign. When a limb is fullyextended, vibrational or audiofeedback could let the amputeeknow the limb can be loaded.Depending on the results of thisresearch, we could develop shorter-term improvements that enhanceprosthesis design.”

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How did your career in the industrybegin?

Quite suddenly, really, workingdirectly with the team that wantedto bring the Salfordinsole projectto life. It was quickly apparent thatthis was only the first of a line ofpotentially ground-breaking, fullyresearched, evidence basedproducts that experts within theSchool of Podiatry had longwanted to develop.

How have you ended up where youare today?

Interest in the Salfordinsole systemincreased dramatically during 2009(we now count in excess of 50NHS Trusts and 400 privatepractices among our customers)and the only practical thing to dowas to populate the business sothat it could move forward.

If you could make onerecommendation to take theindustry forward what would it be?

In my opinion, the industry couldonly claim to be moving forward ifit is finding better evidencedsolutions to more problems, morecost effectively and (critically) formore people. Taken together,these are prerequisites of anyproject that we would undertakeand would therefore have to beour recommendation to everybodyelse.

How haveconsumerrequirementschanged over theyears?

Consumers drivedevelopment bycontinuously(and correctly)demanding thatthe industrycontinuallymoves forward.Innovation is critical which, in thisindustry, means finding betterways to solve the same problems,more quickly and moreeconomically. For us, listening toour “consumers” is what permitsus to evolve into the partner thatthey need, rather than what wethink they need.

How do you see the next 12months panning out for yourcompany? What is your goal?

Our strategy involves the steadycommunication of our capabilitiesto the industry and to developclose relationships, at a personallevel, with all the people that wedeal with. This has worked well sofar and has given us an extremelystable platform on which to build,with an expanding base ofcustomers who are already excitedabout forthcoming additions toour range.

Five minutes with Paul Lawless, managing director, Salfordinsole

Paul Lawless

‘Listening to our ‘consumers’ iswhat permits us to evolve intothe partner that they need’

By Greg Quinn

DIFFERENCES in diagnostic judgmentwill always exist in healthcare.

It is said that if you ask a question ofany two professionals you will getthree opinions. Confirmatory testsare, of course, always available tosupport or exclude any conclusionsand these can take many forms.

A principle consideration of suchtests is that results will tend to fallwithin an upper and lower limit ofnormal. It is the test results on theasymptomatic catchment populationthat define what those limits are i.e.95 per cent of the results will fallbetween the two.

This is the guiding principle behindall medical test results. How far fromnormal does an individual test resultstray and does the result offer any

useful diagnostic information?

Investigation of sub-talar neutraltheory has revealed a number oftelling flaws, and yet it still remainsthe examiner’s method of choice inthe majority of cases.

In fact the application of such aprotocol assumes that 95 per cent ofthe population will fall within twostandard deviations of a perfectalignment (meeting the nine criteriaof normality).

Quantifying foot morphology in thisway is a tool for the removal of theinfluence of intrinsic ‘abnormalalignment’ that will help the patientto recover from musculo-skeletalpain. It often does, but what doesone do when this approach fails?

The foot, as for the rest of the body,generally conforms to a common

anatomical picture, incorporating asit does 26 bones, 114 ligaments and20 muscles and so on.

Variations do occur, but the ‘normal’population share these similarities.However, the genetic evidence formorphological variation suggeststhat an individual’s physicalcharacteristics are expressed via amolecular cascade of regulatorygenetic events, and that theoutcome is an expression of geneticinheritance i.e. an individualphenotype.

For the foot, an inclusive range ofsuch phenotypes may help us todefine what we are comparing ourpatients feet to.

The high level of expertise employedby researchers and clinicians in thisfield tends to follow a more‘functional’ rather than ‘structural’approach to foot biomechanics, andthis is helpful.

However, concepts such as planardominance have taught us thatstructure can sometimes influencehow the foot manifests positional

changes as it functions.

If we are to understand more aboutthis relationship and derive a betterunderstanding of what constitutes anormal alignment of the foot weshould find an improved consensusin our approach to treatmentplanning. With any luck this willdeliver something that we are allagreed on, an improvement inpatient treatment outcomes.

Greg is managing director of TalarMade, who design, manufacture andsupply orthotics.

Stepping away from a neutralposition on normality ...

Greg Quinn

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A Leeds physiotherapist has landed her dream job treating one of Great Britain’s brightest medalhopes at the Winter Olympics. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Physio Sarah realises Olympic dreamSARAH McDowell has travelledwith the women’s bobsleigh teamto Vancouver for the Games,having travelled across Americaand Europe with them for the pastsix months.

The passionate snowboarder, whois based at Leeds MetropolitanUniversity’s Carnegie sports centre,was invited to join the backroomteam by manager Alison Rose.

Sarah told Assistive Technologiesthat working at the Olympics is a‘dream come true’.

She added: “I have really landed onmy feet joining the team in anOlympic year, and it has alwaysbeen my dream to go to a WinterOlympics as a physio.

“The team’s lead, driver NicolaMinichello, worked with Alison afew years ago when she was aheptathlete of GB standard, andshe got in touch with her lastsummer and asked her whethershe could recommend a physiowho had an interest in wintersports.

“Thankfully she thought of me andafter I went for an interview to seewhether the team liked me and methem, and it has gone from there.

“They have had a successful winter,which has made it a lot easier, andit is nice to be going with a teamthat has a really good chance ofgetting a medal.”

While she is away Sarah not onlytreats the team but is also theirnutritionist, Pilates instructor, medicas well as being in charge ofrecording the runs for analysis.

But the trip to Canada looked indoubt shortly before Christmaswhen Nicola lost 80 per cent visionin her left eye.

Sarah added: “The main injuries Iwill have to treat are very much incommon with what you wouldexpect from a sprinter, becauseessentially that is what they are,with the only difference being thatthey are pushing something thatweighs 200 kilos.

“Things like tweaks or tightness tobacks, hamstrings and calves are

the norm, as well as othertreatments for G force that aresimilar to whiplash injuries becausesome courses, particularly inGermany, have bends that canleave them feeling like someonehas been sat on their heads.

“When Nicola lost the vision in hereye I had to quickly become anexpert in ophthalmology. It isn’t a

common problem and usuallyaffects young men, but thankfullyshe is fixed and all is ok now.”

Sarah is now stranger to workingwith sports people, havingpreviously worked with the GBracewalking team when they havetheir camp in Leeds and theuniversity’s men’s rugby union firstteam.

The Great British women’s bobsleigh team and, inset, Sarah treats one of the team

A MIDDLESEX charity has installed aninnovative piece of gym equipmentdesigned specifically for those withno lower body mobility.

Aspire National Training Centre hasput in four Krankcycles in its gym tohelp people with limited or no lowerbody mobility still get a goodworkout. Introductory classes havebeen held to give members a chanceto see how they can get the mostout of the equipment.

The Krankcycle is an advanced typeof hand cycle, and using it involvesrotating height adjustable cranks,giving the user both a cardiovascularand upper-body workout.

Centre manager Rosie Williams saidthey are to be integrated into indoor

cycling classes to create 'fusion'classes, so that people of all abilitiescan train together

She added: “We introduced indoorcycling last year and we wereextremely excited when we heardthat Kranking was coming to the UK.

"The Krankcycle will allowwheelchair users to have an inclusivefitness class with those taking part inindoor cycling. Our aim is to makeexercise as inclusive for our membersas we can and we were thrilled toreceive training and expertise fromthe Krankcycle team.”

The KRANKcycle has been broughtto the UK by Matrix Fitness Systemsand is the creation of Johnny G – thefounder of spinning.

Gym members using the KRANKcycle

Boost for wheelchair users

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Productlaunchesat BAPOPEACOCKS Medical Group willlaunch two new products atthe forthcoming BAPOconference and exhibition.

The CDS range offers acomplete set of extension andflexion braces for upper limb,knee and ankle using a uniqueforce system, while the MKSsystem allows the clinician tomix and match componentryto create a semi bespokesolution to spinal bracingchallenges.

Sales and marketing managerClive Mitchell said: “We havebeen working hard over thelast two years to expand ourexciting range of stockorthopaedic products.

“We are very clear that aproduct has to offer someform of new innovation toeither the clinician, or patient,for us to proceed.

“With our stock contracturecorrection devices (CDS) andmodular spinal solution (MKS),we believe we have achievedboth objectives in abundance,delivering clinical efficacy andenhanced patient compliance”.

Workshopsand keynotespeechesBRITPODS 2010biomechanics conferencesees the return of thehighly successfulcombination of practicalworkshops and keynotespeeches.

This innovative approachdelivers highly practical,hands-on clinical content.The learning outcomesmay then be utilisedimmediately by thedelegates in their ownclinical environment.

The UK speakers makebest use of their clinicalskills and knowledgedrawn from a wealth ofexperience in both privateand NHS clinics.

They are present in eachsession to mentor thedelegates in a practicalsetting, enablingquestions to be posedand answered through-out the whole confer-ence. The event takesplace at Belton WoodsHotel in Grantham onJune 12 and 13.

‘Meet the OT’ first at NaidexVISITORS to the annual Naidex exhibitionwill be able to ‘meet the OT’ for the firsttime in a new dedicated feature area.Offering the opportunity to interact with OTsfrom the Occupational Therapists inIndependent Practice (CPTSS-IP), visitors tostand E56 at the Birmingham NEC show,which runs from April 20-22, will be able toask questions and benefit from comprehen-sive knowledge and expertise. Chair Sharmin Campbell said: “We aredelighted to have this opportunity to have apresence at Naidex. We hope it will raisepublic awareness of independentoccupational therapists and the services theyoffer. “We also look forward to providinghelpful advice and assistance, ensuring thata visit to Naidex is even more worthwhile."Independent OTs will be on hand to fulfil anumber of roles at the show, ranging fromproviding advice and information onproducts and services available to membersof the public to answering enquiriesregarding solutions and assisting with dailyliving, mobility, work and leisure relatedactivities. They will also give expert opinionson products found at the show, and there

will be adirectory onthe standwherevisitors cansearch foranindependentOT basedclose totheir homeif they require advice or an assessment. Event director Liz Virgo added: “With 1000sof products on show, this is a fantastic wayfor members of the public to receive expertadvice on the suitability of a particularproduct to their own specific requirementsor that of a friend or relative. We believethis latest feature will further enhance thevisitor experience.”The Occupational Therapists will be takingdiary bookings throughout the duration ofthe show for individuals, families and groupswho may have questions or need assistancein promoting further independence inaspects of daily life either for themselves ora loved one.

Diary datesFebruary 23 – Jobskin sensory dynamic orthosis training course (Harrington Mill, Nottingham)February 24 – Jobskin premium training course (Harrington Mill, Nottingham)March 1-3 – Podiatry Managers exhibition (Moat House Hotel, Stoke-on-Trent)March 5-7 – BAPO (De Vere Whites Hotel, Bolton)March 9-10 – Health and Well Being at Work (Birmingham NEC)March 11 – Kidz in the Middle (Ricoh Arena, Coventry)March 25-26 – British Association of Surgery for the KneeMarch 30-31 – Care Show (Bournemouth International Centre)

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REED LAUNCH NEW PAEDIATRIC FOOTWEAR

THE BENEFITS OF THE CTO BRACE

ACTIMOVE GENUFLEX -NEW WRAP AROUNDFUNCTIONAL HINGED KNEE BRACE

OTTO BOCK UNVEIL E-MAG CONTROL

CREATE A CUSTOM KAFOIN LESS THAN ONE HOUR

OTTO Bock’s E-Mag is an innovative electromagnetic orthotic knee joint designedwith safety, reliability and easeof handling in mind.

With a conventional kneeorthosis the two occasionswhen the user is most at riskof falling are when the joint ismanually released or when thelock in the knee does notengage during standing.

Since the E-Mag gives clearacoustic or vibration feedback,the user is informed of itsstatus at all times and allows a balanced position when the joint is operated,assisting in overcoming all sense of insecurity during the stance and engage phases.

A remote control is used to lock and unlock the E-Mag and can be used either as ahand held device or can be integrated into an Otto Bock forearm crutch, allowingthe user to fully support him or herself with both arms at all times.

The E-Mag recently won the Limbless Association’s orthotic product innovationaward.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 430 1231.

DEVELOPED to aid those childrenwho would benefit from increasedsupport around the ankle, theStability Boots have an increasedupper height to aid control.

They also offer a unique combinationof stiffening and padding thatmaintains good ankle support whileoffering comfort, particularly aroundthe malleoli.

The Anti-Toewalker boots contain acombination of site specific paddingin both the upper and insole toimprove propreaceptive input, whilesole rigidity encourages a plantargrade stance. Wedge rocker soles aidcorrective gait.

Both boots are available in widths XXN, XN, N, S, and WIDE in sizes 27-40. Avariety of styles and colours are offered as well as lace or velcro fastening.Modular options are also available.

Enquiries: Telephone 01254 503333 or email [email protected]

THE benefits of Talar Made’s CTO brace:Highly effective immobilisation of cervical andupper thoracic spine.Posterior occipital section adjustable for lengthand angulation.Anterior mandibular cup adjustable for heightand fore/aft position to ensure optimal fit andcontrol.Unlimited adjustability allowing universal onesize fits all.Provides category leading stabilisation andcontrol of flexion/extension, lateral flexion androtation.Removable, washable Coolmax liners

Indications for use:• Stable lower cervical vertebral fractures• Post operative immobilisation• Cervical Spondylitis• Post trauma injury• RA and OA cervical spine

Enquiries: Telephone 01246 268456 or email [email protected]

INTRODUCING you to GenuFlex - the new wrap around functional hinged knee brace from BSNmedical and latest addition to the Actimove® range of orthopaedic supports and braces.Actimove® GenuFlex is constructed from advanced breathable, neoprene-free fabric which provideseffective compression and pain relief.The slim line, wrap around design makes it easy to apply and wear under normal clothes whilstpreventing brace migration. Knee movements are guided anatomically by polycentric hinges,providing reassuringly safe knee support.Stabilisation:• Neoprene-free AirFlow™ material provides good compression• Advanced polycentric hinges guide knee movements anatomically,

allowing full flexion while preventing hyperextension• Advanced counter-strap system reduces brace migration and rotation.Comfort:• Breathable, moisture transmitting AirFlow™ fabric• Snug, non-slip fit for enduring comfort and strong support• Open popliteal area prevents wrinkling and skin maceration• Molded hinges prevent pressure points• Latex freeDesign:• Wrap-around design for easy, convenient application• Patella opening helps correct positioning• Attractive and modern for enhanced patient compliance• Available in a range of sizes to suit all your patients, suffering from minor ligament instabilities of

the knee, chronic meniscal damage, painful osteoarthrosis of the knee, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 1223 600 or email [email protected]

G&M has introduced the COMBO, a lowprofile, lightweight functional orthoticsolution for the management of genu-recurvatum combined with footdrop.

The COMBO is fitted individually for eachpatient with components that can becombined to accommodate your patient’ssize and length.

Designed to be fitted in clinic, with yourpatient present, in under one hour,optimising your time, reducing the totaltreatment time yet providing a highquality, high performance product.

The COMBO will be on show at BAPO -visit us on stand no 24-25 for a productdemonstration.

Enquiries:Telephone 0121 475 1101 or email [email protected]

DENOVO Healthcare Ltd has introduced its new Nimco catalogue to take itsrange of footwear to the next level. Since the introduction of Nimco’s innovativeapproach to footwear manufacture, the company has been able to supplythousands of shoes reliably and with the highest level of customisation

The 2010 catalogue has been created tosimplify all aspects of the ordering process,so creating the perfect pair has never beenso easy.

All 18 boot styles are now available in allsizes (18-45), with a choice of lace orvelcro fastening, different colours, fourdifferent stiffener types and various soles.

In addition to the new and exciting range,the company has also introduced a newselection of children’s shoes.

For use when a boot may not be suitable ornecessary, the new styles combine the samebuild quality with a design thatcomplements the range.

Enquiries: Telephone 01934 808416 oremail [email protected]

DENOVO HEALTHCARE INTRODUCES NEW CATALOGUE

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26 Profiles 4/2/10 13:37 Page 1

27 Bauerfeind 3/2/10 16:32 Page 1

28 Ortho Europe 3/2/10 16:34 Page 1

assistive technologies feb/march 2010

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