assistive technologies february / march 2012

By Dominic Musgrave

THE first code of practice for community andother disability equipment has been launchedin response to a series of critical reviewsidentifying serious clinical and financialfailings.

It aims to support public sector organisationsto help them commission and provide servicesmore effectively. According to the Medicinesand Healthcare products Regulatory Agencyevery year in the UK there are more than 30deaths and 1,500 serious incidents as a resultof inappropriate and unsafe equipmentsupplied in the community.

The code will be administered by a not-for-profit social enterprise, the chairman of whichis the former chairman of the Disability RightsCommission, Sir Bert Massie CBE.

He said: “Community equipment is a life saverfor hundreds of thousands of people in theUK and is used every day in homes, hospitals,care homes, day centres and special schools.

“This is about providing the right equipmentat the right time which supports initiativesrelated to self-determination, independence,rehabilitation, early intervention andprevention, together with end of life care.

“The code should be used everywhere wherepeople use community equipment.”

One of the main aims of the Code of Practiceis to deliver better clinical outcomes byreducing the number of injuries, illnesses andfatalities caused by unsafe and inappropriateequipment, and by equipment that is delayedor in some cases not provided at all.

Author Brian Donnelly added: “Withoutcommunity equipment or the correctcommunity equipment, people are unable tolive their lives as they should.

“They may have to stay in hospital or requireround-the-clock care provided by their localauthority or even family members, which hassignificant economic and quality of lifeimplications. In many cases, basic humanrights are being violated.

“Other industries operating in the health andsocial care arenas have been regulated bycodes of practice for decades, such as thepharmaceutical industry, and it’s long overduefor community equipment. There are manyfragments of legislation relating to thedifferent aspects of these services, which areoverly complex. The new code pulls togetherall duties and responsibilities into onecoherent document.”

Code launchedfor communityequipment use

Athlete Jonnie Peacock, who is training for the 100 metres in theLondon 2012 Paralympics, has told national newspapers howmeeting David Beckham triggered his sporting ambitions.Jonnie, from Cambridge, contracted meningitis as a child whichresulted in his right leg being amputated below the knee whenhe was just five. When he was about six a local newspaperarranged for him to travel to the Euro 2000 tournament to meetEngland footballers including David Beckham.

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE ISSUE 83 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 £6.95

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ContactsEditorialJudith Halkerston Group [email protected]

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

Tel: 01226 734694

Sales Christine Daly-Sadler Product ManagerEmail: [email protected] Tel: 01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

Tony Barry Sales and Marketing DirectorEmail: [email protected]

[email protected] hour hotline: 01226 734695

Design/Production Stewart Holt Studio ManagerEmail: [email protected] Natalie Talbot Graphic DesignerLaura Blackburn Graphic Designer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of all contents, the publishers do not accept liability for any error, printed

or otherwise, that may occur.

www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

Apps could help sufferersregain their confidenceBy Dominic Musgrave

PEOPLE with Parkinson’s mightregain their confidencecommunicating, thanks to Apps ontheir mobile phones.

Dr Roger Eglin, of the University ofPortsmouth, hopes to develop twomobile phone Apps to enable thethousands of people with Parkinson’simprove their speech and allow themto be better understood by family,friends and healthcare workers.

Roger, of the university’s Departmentof Creative Technologies, has beenawarded a £35,000 innovation grantfrom leading research charityParkinson’s UK to develop the Apps.

Speech problems affect nearly threequarters of the 120,000 people withParkinson’s in the UK. Problemscommunicating can also have aprofound impact on quality of life,according to research.

Roger said: “Many people withParkinson’s already have and usemobile phones, making them a low-cost, simple and effective way forhelping people improve their ownspeech.

“We’ve already developed a basic

mobile phone application to improvespeech, but it needs to be furtherimproved and tailored specifically forpeople with Parkinson’s.

“We will be testing our applicationwith people with Parkinson’s at everystage of development to make sureit is effective and easy to use.”

Roger will work with Peter Nolan,

Vaughan Powell and Lee Prior fromPortsmouth and Julia Johnson andProfessor Ray Chaudhuri from King’sCollege Hospital, London.

They aim to develop two keyfunctions to help people improvetheir speech: A feedback meter willhelp people see how loud theirspeech is compared to backgroundnoise and indicate what adjustmentis required to be heard properly; anda voice training function toencourage people to speak moreloudly, which can make them easierto understand.

Such Apps could also be used byhealth professionals to monitorprogress remotely, making speechtherapy cheaper and more accessiblefor those with Parkinson’s.

Roger added: “If we’re successful,we hope to develop useful mobilephone based applications which canhelp people with Parkinson’s whoexperience speech difficulties –helping them to communicate betterwith their families and friends andincreasing their confidence in socialsituations.”

The project is expected to last a year.

Dr Roger Eglin

MEDIA

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An image from the exhibition.

A NEW exhibition has opened inEdinburgh looking at the history ofprosthetic limbs.

Reconstructing Lives at the NationalWar Museum, Edinburgh Castle takesa fascinating and moving look at theexperience of those who have lostlimbs in war, whether military orcivilian, and the technology whichhelps rebuild their lives.

It focuses on the prosthetic limbs thatwere developed to help them rebuildtheir lives, from armour-like ironhands of the 16th century through to21st century carbon-fibre runningblades, with real examples, powerfulimages, and the amputees’ ownstories.

Examples on display include an early20th century wooden ‘Anglesey leg’,named after the Marquis of Anglesey,who lost his leg in the Battle ofWaterloo in 1815; and an Orion

knee, made by Endolite in 2011,containing a micro-processor whichdeduces what the wearer is doing.

In contrast, the simple but effectiveJaipur leg, which is fitted to tens ofthousands of people each year inpoorer parts of the world, costs £30compared with around £2,000 for anaverage western prosthesis.

There is also a running blade worn byChris Moon, who lost his lower armand leg in Africa clearing landminesand now runs the world's toughestultra-marathons.

The exhibition also featuresprosthetic hands, ranging from a16th century iron hand to the splithook designed by DW Dorrance in1912, which is still in use today, anda modern i-LIMB hand.

The exhibition runs until February2013 and is free with admission tothe castle.

Exhibition looksat the history ofprosthetic limbs

Organisers appoint PR firm for campaign MOBILITY Choice, organisers of theannual Mobility Roadshow, hasappointed iDIS Creative Marketingto enhance its online PR campaign.

The Mobility Roadshow is theoriginal and only mobility event of

its kind in the UK which solelyfocuses on the consumer. Thisyear’s event, which is free toattend, takes place at The East ofEngland Showground,Peterborough from June 21-23.

Grant will help developstand alone switch A CONSULTANT clinical scientist fromWales has received a £15,000 grantto develop an Electromyography(EMG) stand alone switch to improveuser experience, accessibility andindependence.

Gareth Adkins, who works as thehead of rehabilitation engineering atMorriston Hospital in Swansea, andhis team, was awarded the fundingby Devices for Dignity – anorganisation that delivers technologysolutions to support people withlong-term conditions preserving theirdignity and independence.

It identified unmet clinical needs intwo major areas of healthcare andran a competition inviting anybody inthe sector to apply for funding andsupport to turn innovative ideas intocommercial realities.

An EMG or muscle action switchenables severely disabled users toindependently control theirenvironment or accesscommunication with tiny muscleactions, sometimes their only reliable

movement.

Usually these switches requirepowerful computers, but Gareth’sproject intends to create a switchthat can work independently of otherequipment.

He added: “The unique group wehave brought together includesmedical electronics specialists,rehabilitation engineers anddesigners from the National Centrefor Product Design and DevelopmentResearch Medical Applications Groupat Cardiff Metropolitan University.

“The group were keen to enter thecompetition as we saw it as a greatopportunity to use a multi-disciplinaryapproach for the design anddevelopment of a device that wouldimprove the lives of disabledindividuals.”

The winners will have theopportunity to work with D4D andgain access to its national expertnetworks, resources and specialistclinicians throughout the process.

Quadruple amputeeOlivia helps launchannual lecturesBy Helen Williams

A CHARITY worker who had bothher lower arms and legs amputatedafter contracting meningitis eightyears ago has helped launch theEdinburgh Lectures – wherespeakers have included StephenHawking and The Princess Royal.

Olivia Giles OBE joined Edinburgh’sLord Provost George Grubb at theevent in the National Museum ofScotland. She will deliver the fourthlecture of the series, entitledExtraordinary Feats, ExtraordinaryPeople.

Olivia, a former partner in anEdinburgh legal firm, now runs thecharity 500 miles, which supportsamputees in Malawi and Zambia byhelping to buy prostheses andorthoses. Her speech, entitled ThePower of Opportunity, will focus onhow her perspective in life haschanged and how her experiencehas encouraged her to graspopportunities as well as deliver onthem.

She said: “Achieving theextraordinary is something wecredit to only a very fewindividuals; however, I have seenthe potential and capacity ofordinary people to achieveincredible feats when they want to

– or have to.”

This is the 20th annual EdinburghLectures, running from February toJune. They will feature thought-provoking talks and include lecturesfrom broadcaster Kate Adie OBE,Chariots of Fire film producer LordDavid Puttnam CBE and the DalaiLama, who will be touring Scotlandthis summer.

Among topics delivered by speakerswill be how someone can breakboundaries in sport, access toeducation for the poor and awoman’s role in the field ofastronomy.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost George Grubbwith Olivia Giles.

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By Helen Williams

THE Queen and Sir Cliff Richardwere among those congratulating acrew of wounded Britishservicemen who triumphantlycompleted a rowing race across theAtlantic.

The six, who have all served in thearmed forces, formed theRow2Recovery crew for the epic3,000-mile Talisker Whisky AtlanticChallenge.

They crossed the finish line at PortSt Charles, Barbados, on January25, after 51 days at sea in a 29ftrowing boat.

Their loved ones and a huge crowdof locals were waiting to greetthem.

Sir Cliff, who has a home on theisland, wore a Union Jack T-shirt togreet the group - Corporal NeilHeritage, Lieutenant Will Dixon,Corporal Rory Mackenzie, LanceCorporal Carl Anstey, andRow2Recovery co-founders AlexMackenzie and Ed Janvrin.

The Queen sent a message saying:“Please convey my warm thanks toall the members of theRow2Recovery team on theoccasion of them reaching the end

of their row across the Atlantic, inaid of injured soldiers and theirfamilies.

“I heard of the trials andtribulations on your journey and, inreturn, I send my good wishes toyou all for the successfulcompletion of the challenge.”

During the journey the crew

experienced technical difficultiesincluding a broken water de-salinator that left them rationingfor 17 days, a broken rudder,severe salt blisters andcomplications around their injuries.

One of the crew, above kneeamputee Rory Mackenzie, spentChristmas Day removing shrapnel

from his buttock.

On arrival at Port St Charles, thecrew telephoned current patientsand staff at the Defence MedicalRehabilitation Centre at HeadleyCourt.

Four of the crew had spent time atthe centre recovering from theirown life-changing injuries sufferedduring service in Afghanistan andIraq.

After their first substantial mealsince leaving La Gomera in theCanary Islands on December 5, LtWill Dixon, who lost his lower legin an IED blast in December 2009,said: “It’s been an incrediblejourney. But what has driven us onis the thought of those who havefallen and been severely injured.

“We hope to have inspired some ofthem by proving it is possible toachieve extraordinary things afterinjury.”

He said the crew’s primary missionhad always been to raise £1m tohelp injured servicemen and theirfamilies, and they were hugelyappreciative of the public supportreceived.

So far they have raisedapproximately £750,000.

Soldiers finish Atlantic row

The Row2Recovery crew who completed their Atlantic challenge in 51 days,from the left: Ed Janvrin, Carl Anstey, Rory Mackenzie, Alex Mackenzie, NeilHeritage and Will Dixon.

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Stimulation techniquecould be a useful additionTHE researchers are hopeful thatdeveloping this brain stimulationtechnique may provide a usefuladdition to standard physiotherapyin helping the recovery of strokepatients.

The study involving 13 patients wasable to observe a significant five to10 per cent improvement inresponse times in making handmovements.

The effect for this single treatmentlasted for an hour or so. Butneuroscience studies in otherresearch areas have shown effectslasting months after dailyapplication of this form of brainstimulation.

“The improvements in movementand reaction times weresignificant,” said lead researcher DrCharlotte Stagg of the OxfordCentre for Functional MagneticResonance Imaging of the Brain atOxford University.

“Patients certainly noticed them,but they were short-lived. However,we are very hopeful that daily brainstimulation would lead to longer-lasting improvements.

“This was a study in a small group.Large-scale trials would be neededbefore concluding that theapproach benefits those recoveringfrom strokes.

“The brain stimulation technique isrelatively cheap, easy to use and it’sportable. You could imaginephysiotherapists using it in theirpractice in the future.”

The Oxford team, for the next stageof their research, are currentlyrecruiting around 30 stroke patientsto a trial that will look at whetherdaily brain stimulation in addition tophysiotherapy exercises can lead totangible benefits after a period ofthree months.

The researchers headed byprofessor Heidi Johansen-Berg,along with colleagues at the OxfordCentre for Enablement at theNuffield Orthopaedic Centre, setout to investigate whether a brainstimulation technique designed toincrease the activity in the motorcortex would improve handmovements in people who had hada stroke.

The brain stimulation technique,called transcranial direct currentstimulation or TDCS, involvespassing a small electrical current ofabout 1 milliamp across part of thebrain using simple pads placed onthe outside of the head.

It is a relatively new technique butis known to increase the‘excitability’ of neurons in thetargeted region of the brain. It hasbeen shown to be safe in many

studies: if anything, people may feela slightly tingly or itchy sensationon their scalp.

The study included a wide range ofpatients who’d had a stroke at leastsix months previously – aged from30 to 80, both sexes, and differenttypes of stroke.

The patients carried out a simpletask involving a hand movement inresponse to images on a computerscreen three times – before, duringand after brain stimulation using

the electric current for 20 minutes.

“The improvement was almostimmediate. It really did work,”added Charlotte. “The approachseems to have an effect in a widerange of stroke patients. Those whohad seen least recovery from theirstroke seemed to show mostimprovement in this simple test.”

The study was funded by the NIHROxford Biomedical Research Centre,the Dunhill Medical Trust and theWellcome Trust.

Tiny electric currents applied across regions of the brain can improve hand movements inrecovering stroke patients for a short period, an Oxford University study has demonstrated.Dominic Musgrave reports.

Electric currents being applied to a patient.

CAMPAIGNERS are protesting againstplans to close beds for amputees atSt Georges NHS Trust inRoehampton, London.

The trust wants to reduce amputeereserved beds from 14 to eight in theGwynne Halford ward, Queen Mary'sHospital, as part of a scheme toimprove neurorehabilitation servicesin south west London.

A four-week public consultation washeld last month on the Trust’swebsite.

Concerns raised were followed by apetition against the plans drawn upby campaigners from charityLimbcare and the Roehampton LimbUser Group.

The petition, which calls for a new12-week consultation, has beensigned by 126 people and the Trust isnow considering other options.

A spokesperson said the plans hadbeen designed by consultants, nursesand therapists and added: “We havelistened to the concerns and continueto meet with patient representativesfor these services.”

Christopher Harwood, chairman ofRLUG, added: “The limbless are to bethe casualties in this plan. If theamputees beds are reduced thenwaiting lists grow for complexamputees who need to be inpatientsand this delay clogs up otherhospitals surgical units.”

Petition to save amputeebeds launched by charity

A NEW reality TV show following thepersonal lives of four women whoare confined to wheelchairs is set tolaunch in April.

No limits: Push Girls is a 14-episodeseries which will air on US-basedSundance Channel. The women areall paralysed from the neck or waistdown.

Angela Rockwood, 36, was anactress before a 2001 car accident

left her without the use of her torso,arms or legs, while Auti Angel, 42,was a successful hip-hop dancerbefore a car smash in 1992.

Model Tiphany Adams, 28, survived adrunk-driving crash in high schoolyear that left three of her friendsdead, and Mia Schaikewitz, 32, aformer competitive swimmer, lost theuse of her legs after a rare type ofbrain haemorrhage at the age of 15.

US show follows women’s lives

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BERKSHIRE physiotherapy managerJulia Ferreira has been supportingBritish ice skaters during the recentEuropean Figure SkatingChampionships at the MotorpointArena in Sheffield.

This is the first time in 20 years thatthe championships have been held inBritain, and Julia, who lives inCookham, is the honoraryphysiotherapist for the National IceSkating Association.

She said: “Even top skaters sufferfalls. The trick is to prepare your bodyproperly and to learn how tominimise the severity of the fall.”

Julia has worked with the Team GBsquad of skaters throughout the yearproviding advice, treatment,rehabilitation programmes and injuryprofiling.

Julia, physiotherapy manager at BMIThe Princess Margaret Hospital,Windsor, has been in the role for thelast four years.

She has been providingphysiotherapy assessment and

treatment to the team ranging fromfirst aid for skate blade cuts tostrapping up strains or sprains, andfrom treatment for bruises to softtissue massage.


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By Dominic Musgrave

A TEAM of Salford physiotherapistshas won a prestigious CharteredSociety of Physiotherapy award for aproject to reduce NHS sick leavewhich saved more than £25,000.

Musculoskeletal disorders and backpain are the main causes of shortand long term sickness in the NHS,with 40 per cent of ill healthretirement costs being attributed tothese illnesses.

The University team worked withSalford Royal NHS Foundation Trustto design ‘Working Well’ - arehabilitation service to help staffwith musculoskeletal conditions whoare struggling to stay in or return tothe workplace. The project wasstarted up with a Health FoundationSHINE award for innovation in 2010.

Working Well provides rapid accessto a specialist occupationalphysiotherapy case manager to treataches, pains and associated mentalhealth problems such as stress,anxiety or depression.

It also provides preventative support

to avoid sickness absence in the firstplace and links in with otherspecialist agencies to provide acoordinated and holistic approach.

Christine Parker worked withcolleagues in the School of HealthSciences on the project. She said:“Working Well provides staff withthe support they need to stay healthyand in work which is crucial in thesechallenging times.

“Hopefully winning this award willencourage the sharing of bestpractice so that more NHS staff canbe helped.”

The University evaluated the schemeafter it had been in operation for 12months and found that sick leavecosts had been reduced by £25,500.

It also produced significantimprovements in general health,psychological wellbeing and jobsatisfaction levels among staff.

The obvious benefits of the serviceled the team to win the ‘Researchinto Practice’ category at the recentChartered Society of Physiotherapy’sService Excellence Awards.

Salford sickleave projectwins accolade

Physio supports GBskaters at competition

Julia Ferreira

ROBOTS will be used to helppeople recover from strokes as partof a three-year research project bythe University of Sheffield, inpartnership with experts fromacross Europe.

The new FP7 European project,entitled Supervised Care andRehabilitation Involving PersonalTele-robotics, will involve thedevelopment of the hand andwrist. The treatment will bedelivered during the chronic phasesof stroke rehabilitation.

The researchers aim to establish atele-robotic communicationplatform which patients can use intheir own homes and which can bemanaged remotely, thereforereducing the number of hospitalvisits needed.

The project will also focus onadapting a robot’s interactioncapabilities to those required for atherapeutic interaction. This wouldallow for a more naturalinteraction.

Gail Mountain, professor of Health

Services Research at the Universityof Sheffield´s School of Health andRelated Research is one of theprincipal investigators.

She said: "The Sheffieldcontribution to the SCRIPT projectwill be located in the skills andknowledge that we have gainedthrough leading and being involvedin previous interdisciplinarytechnology development projectsfor people with stroke.

“Through the Engineering andPhysical Sciences Research Councilfunded SMART Consortium wehave designed and testedtechnologies for strokerehabilitation and selfmanagement, combining usercentred design and health servicesresearch methods.

“We are very pleased to have theopportunity to apply and furtherdevelop this work in SCRIPT whichwe hope will improve access torehabilitation and ultimately qualityof life for people who have had astroke.”

Robots to form part ofUniversity stroke research

WALKING With The Wounded hasset its ambitions higher following thesuccess of last year’s North Poleexpedition – and now plans to placethe first group of woundedservicemen on the summit of MountEverest.

They could even be joined for part ofthe trip by their patron Prince Harry,who also accompanied them on afour-day trek during last year’s Polarexpedition.

In May a group of nine will attemptthe life-changing journey to thehighest peak in the world. The groupconsists of four members of the basecamp team and five members of thesummit team.

Climbing Everest is considered one ofthe toughest challenges in adventureexploration and the climbers will berequired to overcome obstacles likealtitude sickness, immense fatigue,deep crevasses covered withtreacherous snow bridges and

unpredictable climbing conditions.

The ascent is considered one of themost dangerous and difficult journeysfor humans to undertake, and theadventurers will be doing so with theadded challenge of the injuries theyhave received in the line of duty.

The expedition will consist of twoparts. For the first, all nine woundedservicemen will endure a gruellingseven-day trek from Namche Bazaarin Eastern Nepal to Everest BaseCamp, which stands at 5,380m.From here, only the fittest fiveadventurers will continue for theassault on the summit.

Walking With The Wounded aims toraise money to re-skill and re-traininjured servicemen and women fromthe British Armed Forces. It also aimsto raise a further £2m for identifiededucation projects and trainingcourses, which specifically accountfor both physical and mental injuriessustained by servicemen and women.

Team has Everest aim

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By Helen Williams

A BRISTOL man who lost threefingers in an industrial accident hasbeen given a second chance to carryon life as normal thanks to prosthetictechnology.

Michal Takac was using a printingmachine at a packaging plant wherehe worked when his hand becametrapped between two feed rollers.

He was taken to hospital, but it wasfound that two of his fingers couldnot be saved. A third finger was alsoremoved shortly after as it did notsurvive, despite treatment.

Following the accident, Michalstruggled with everyday tasks andcould not return to work.

His trade union, Unite, put him intouch with solicitors and thesubsequent compensation allowedMichal to investigate technology thathe otherwise would not have beenable to afford.

Four years after the accident, he nowhas two prosthetic fingers from thecompany Touch Bionics and the thirdfinger which he lost has beenreplaced by his toe.

Michal said: “After the accident I feltso low, as I had so much taken awayfrom me. I couldn’t work or carry outnormal everyday tasks such aspicking up a glass. The solutionsoffered by Touch Bionics areincredible. I was truly overwhelmedthe first time I heard about the i-limbdigits and to now have two newbionic fingers that actually respondand move is amazing.”

Michal is now getting his life back tonormal with his i-LIMB digits. Thecustom made fingers are controlledusing electrical, force-sensingresistors.

The user is able to activate these tomove the fingers with considerableaccuracy and sensitivity, mimickingthe function of natural digits.

The process of learning to use i-limbdigits is assisted by trainedprosthetists who make use ofcomputer software called biosim-pro.

This allows them to connectwirelessly from their computer to thecontroller inside the fingers and sohelp users select the grip patternsand hand features that best suit theirneeds.

Prosthetic fingersgive Michal chance

EAST Cheshire NHS Trust’soccupational therapy department haslaunched a new creative therapiesgroup at Macclesfield District GeneralHospital to improve the health andoutlook for stroke patients in theregion.

The group is led by Kim Cochrane,occupational therapist at the Trust,and is held weekly.

The group provides an opportunityfor stroke patients to work on an artor craft project ranging from card

making or painting to taking part ingroup projects.

Kim said art therapy enables a personto communicate the way they arefeeling through the art they produce.

She added: “When a patient has hada stroke they not only lose physicalabilities, such as being able to usetheir hands, or walk, but also theymay also lose their confidence. Iftheir speech has been affected thenit can be difficult to communicateand socialise.”

Creative group launchedKim Cochrane gets creative with patient Rita Gledhill.

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OTTO Bock Healthcare has launcheda new Private Orthotics Service thatwill deliver advice, support andaffordable solutions for peoplesuffering from musculoskeletaldisorders.

Individuals looking to correct a broadrange of orthotic conditions, such asligament damage, sports injuries orchronic conditions such asosteoarthritis and cerebral palsy cannow be treated by professionalorthotists in the West Midlands,Staffordshire and Surrey.

Orthoses are externally applieddevices that can be used to correctcharacteristics of the neuro-muscularand skeletal systems through theapplication or redirection of force.

These devices range from insoles forcorrecting posture through to bracesto help ease drop foot, a conditionsometimes found in stroke patients.

Ottobock provides a full range ofsupport and soft orthoses productsfor joints, ligaments, fractures as wellas paralysis.

“At Ottobock we’re dedicated tocreating and providing solutions forpeople with restricted mobility andhelping them gain, or regain theirfreedom to move,” said BrianHopkins, head of orthotics atOttobock UK. “We’re delighted to beable to offer access to highly trainedorthotists at these new PrivateOrthotics Services throughout the UKand we hope our innovative productrange will provide stabilisation, reliefand correction to patients of allages.”

Staffed with highly professional,dedicated orthotists who canprescribe a wide range of devices tomeet the specific needs of theindividual, the new Private OrthoticsService is available at three Otto Bockclinics based in Birmingham in theWest Midlands, Rugeley inStaffordshire and Egham in Surrey.

An initial orthotic biomechanicalassessment is £50, with the cost ofall subsequent fitting and reviewappointments covered with thepurchase of an orthotic device.

New service for peoplewith musculoskeletaldisorders launched

INTERNATIONAL media converged onLondon's Tower Bridge to meet TeamÖssur’s elite sporting heroes includingOscar Pistorius, April Holmes, MarlonShirley and Jerome Singleton, alongwith a further nine world-classathletes.

Part of the discussion focused onprosthetics, with Össur’s technicalspecialists on hand to answerquestions and chief executive JonSigurdsson spelling out thecompany’s commitment to its team.

Oscar broke new ground in 2011 byreaching the semi-finals of the 400metres at the World AthleticChampionships in Daegu, South

Korea, and as a member of theSouth African relay team he won asilver medal. He is the first everamputee to compete in the worldchampionships and has qualified forLondon 2012. However, he has beenthe subject of global controversy withcritics saying that his artificial lowerlegs give him an unfair advantageover able-bodied runners.

Oscar said: “I do believe in showingpeople that those living withdisabilities shouldn't be subjected tothe stereotypes and stigmas that theyhave been for so many years. Andwe shouldn't be scared to talk aboutdisability.”

Capital date for athletesOscar Pistorius and the rest of the Ossur team.

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GA former Paralympian who lost a leg to cancer at the age of 17 failed in his attempt to make the epicjourney to reach the South Pole a century after Robert Falcon Scott and Roald Amundsen raced to bethe first to achieve the feat. Dominic Musgrave reports.

Chest infection puts paidto Marc’s South Pole trek MARC Woods, who won fourswimming medals in an illustriouscareer, was using a specially adaptedprosthetic leg and was having to pulla pulk weighing 70kg a total of750km to the South Pole.

He and his team mate James Mark,known as 'Team SladenWoods', hadto negotiate crevasses and snowbridges that rise 3000m above sealevel, temperatures of -50C, winds of80mph and blinding snowstorms onthe 750km trek. They were raisingmoney for Mencap.

But disaster struck almost 170km intothe race when Marc was forced towithdraw with a chest infection. Theduo had been leading at one point.

A spokesman for the team said:“Marc has shown throughout his lifethat he is a winner. No one morethan he will be feeling the lows ofnot continuing in the race. But Iknow of no winner throughouthistory that has not had to suffer asetback.

“What sets true winners apart is howthey respond and bounce back.

“We are so proud of them both andproud to have supported the team.We are looking forward to gettingthem home safely and I know it willnot be long before we are planningthe next adventure together.”

Five other teams took part in therace, which took approximately 25days, including Blue Peter presenterHelen Skelton, who is attempting iton an ice bike for Sport Relief.

Ahead of the trek Marc said: “Peoplewouldn't expect myself, an amputee,to be doing what I am doing and Ithink this race is a chance tochallenge views and raise money forcharity at the same time.

“I swam for Great Britain for a longwhile and that was great but I retireda while ago and I was due a newchallenge. This seemed like a goodopportunity to have a go. It wasdefinitely something that was outside

of my comfort zone in a lot of ways.

“I’m not the fastest skier especiallywhen dragging 70kgs but I can skistraight and when faced with alandscape with no discerniblefeatures this is a very usefulattribute.”

Marc’s decision to take part in therace meant extra work for hisprosthetist, Bob Watts, fromRingwood-based Dorset Orthopaedic,who has been working with him formany years.

Bob adapted a specially designedartificial leg to cope with the rigoursof the expedition.

At the temperatures experienced inthe Antarctic stainless steel becomesbrittle so this was substituted withtitanium.

Furthermore, the average weight losson these expeditions is two stonemeaning an additional smaller socketfor the prosthesis was required as

well as four liners that helped changethe socket size as Marc lost weight. Acrash course in substituting thevarious parts was also required.

“I don’t wear the limbs that lookgood, that look realistic, it’s notabout that for me – it’s aboutcomfort,” added Marc, whocelebrated his 43rd birthday duringthe expedition. “It’s the quality of thesocket Bob can make for me. I knewhe would make a limb for me thatwould help me do the things that Iwanted to do.”

The weight of the pulk alsopresented Bob with an extrachallenge, the first Elite Blade carbonfoot he had made was a good footbut not flexible enough when pullinga 70kgs pulk, so this was taken as aspare.

The solution to more flexibility camefrom Ossur who made a specialcarbon blade that suited Marc’sneeds.Marc in training.

Marc at the start of the race. Picture credit: Extreme World Races

Firm to use investment to develop new productsBLATCHFORD is doubling itsresearch and development (R&D)investment and has new productlaunches planned – including itsfirst microprocessor-controlledfoot.

The global supplier of prostheticand orthotic products andservices has leased 30,700 sq fton a 15-year lease atBasingstoke’s Kingsland Business

Park to meet its new spacerequirements.

It has taken one of four ‘Antura’units at the park and will beusing the building for its R&Dwork, as well as creating newoffice space for its head officeteam, a patients’ clinic andadditional warehousing space.

The detached production andwarehouse building has first

floor office space, ground floorreception area and 80 carparking spaces.

Blatchford, which already has apresence in Basingstoke, has anumber of new product launchesunder wraps, including moreelectronics-based innovations.

Chief executive officer StephenBlatchford said: “We werelooking for new premises which

would provide the space weneed for our R&D growth plansand a new base for our headoffice team.

“This unit was the obviouschoice, in terms of its size andappearance, providing anattractive building which willgive the right impression to ourUK and international customers.”

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By Helen Williams

A WEST Yorkshire orthotic productmanufacturer is growing its servicesafter a move to larger premises.

Crispin Orthotics, which employs 36staff, has moved from its Leeds prem-ises near Elland Road to a larger12,500 sq ft ‘manor house’ styleproperty in Morley.

It is 20 per cent bigger than Crispin'sprevious base and the company plansto use the extra space in the manorhouse to create private consultingrooms to accommodate the compa-ny's ten clinicians.

Managing director Mark Thaxter saidthe new premises also had an adja-cent single storey extension providingworkshop space for the company’smanufacturing operations.

He added: “The move will help usfurther develop the clinical side ofthe business. We aim to set up a gaitanalysis lab with a walkway and cam-eras and also a sports section.”

NatWest’s commercial banking teamin Leeds provided the company witha loan to help complete the pur-chase.

Much of Crispin’s work is with NHStrusts and, given shrinking NHSbudgets, Mark intends to generatemore private sector clients such assports clubs.

Mark said Crispin is already differenti-ating itself from the competition viaunique products in silicone and car-bon fibre and also its work to devel-op clinics and relationships with GPs.

He added that the move, combinedwith a new website launched at theend of last year, would help the busi-

ness move towards this.

“We are committed to providing cus-tomers with the complete orthoticsolution from one location, rangingfrom an initial consultation throughto the manufacture and fitting of theproduct.”

Established 30 years ago, Crispindesigns, manufactures and sells arange of orthotic products to cus-tomers throughout the UK, includingsome leading football clubs.


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Crispin’s new headquarters in Leeds.

New reportinvestigateschallengesfor ScotlandAN insight report on assistedliving published by ScottishEnterprise looks at the globalchallenges and opportunitiesfor Scotland in home medicalequipment and digital health-care.

The older population anddebilitating chronic diseases –many linked to lifestyle ratherthan age – are predicted torise rapidly over the next 40years and that means currenthealthcare systems will haveto adapt to cope.

The report points out thatScotland has a large base ofmedtech companies as well askey academic strengths inmedical technology, with spe-cialised institutes such as theStrathclyde Institute ofMedical Devices and TheInstitute for Medical Scienceand Technology.

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Glove may lower consultation timeBy Dominic Musgrave

RESEARCHERS in Ireland aredeveloping a bespoke ‘data glove’fitted with sensitive movementsensors which they hope willminimise the time needed forconsultation of patients withrheumatoid arthritis.

The team from the University ofUlster and C-TRIC are working incollaboration with the WesternHealth and Social Care Trust and theTyndall National Institute in Cork onthe project, which uses advancedsoftware developed by the School ofComputing and Intelligent Systems atthe University.

Funded by the Science Foundationwith support from C-TRIC’s Bio-Entrepreneur Programme and theDEL PhD fund, they hope the newglove will improve the accuracy ofdiagnosis and treatment. They believethis would also make huge savingsfor the health service.

University of Ulster academic DrKevin Curran said the Tyndall dataglove will be able to integrate realtime movements of the hand toallow detailed observations andmeasurement of each patient’s handand wrist movements.

He added: “If patients are to receivethe care needed to manage their

condition and doctors the time toassess their condition thoroughly,more accurate and less laboriousmethods to record joint movementsare needed.

“Measurement of joint range is usedto establish a baseline and to recordprogress but this requires exhaustivepersonal examination and can bevery labour intensive.

“Current measurement techniquesare either invasive like x-rays or havean over reliance on manualevaluation, such as vision and touch,both of which are very dependent ontraining and experience and resultscan vary widely between observers.

“Data gloves have been used beforeto measure joint movements but theywere not fitted with sufficient sensorson each finger and deformities andswollen joints caused the sensors torecord inaccurate readings. Thebespoke glove we are developing willgive more precise and detailedreadings.”

Although the data glove is beingdeveloped with rheumatoid arthritissufferers in mind, there are manyother possible applications of awearable sensor glove, for examplerehabilitation of hand injuries, whereaccurate clinical measurements areessential. The glove being designed by University of Ulster researchers.

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ROBOTICS technology from researchled by the University of Reading tosupport older people living at homehas received special recognition fromthe president of the EU.

The CompanionAble Project, led byprofessor Atta Badii, of the School ofSystems Engineering, was selected asone of only two initiatives from 50star projects to be shown to Jose-Manuel Barroso and the EUcommissioner for research,innovation and science MarieGeoghegan-Quinn at the EuropeanInnovation Convention in Brussels.

One of the stars of the project,Hector the Companion Robot,welcomed the EU delegation to thestand where Atta demonstratedsome of its capabilities as an assistivecompanion robot.

Hector is able to care for frail olderpeople and those suffering, forexample, from early Alzheimer'sdisease so they can remain in theirown homes. The robot can be usedstandalone in any home or as caresupport within a ‘smart' homeintegrated with a remote controlcentre to provide assistance inemergencies.

The range of care support facilitiesincludes monitoring vital

physiological signs and moods, diarymanagement, aide memoire services,for example reminders for takingmedicines on time, and, setting upvideo-conferencing sessions.

In emergencies, such as a fall, Hectorcan help the remote control centreassess how serious the fall is andwhat kind of emergency help may beneeded.

Atta said: “There are widelyacknowledged demographic,economic and social imperatives forhelping the elderly live at home semi-independently for as long as possible.

“Without cognitive stimulation,elderly dementia and depressionsufferers can deteriorate rapidly andtheir carers will face a moredemanding task; both groups areincreasingly at the risk of socialexclusion."

The CompanionAble project, co-funded by the European Framework7 Research Programme, with a totalbudget of around 12m Euros is afour-year integrated research projectled by Atta as the technical andscientific co-ordinator of the projectworking with 17 other partners whohave contributed to the project fromsix countries across the EuropeanCommunity.

Special recognitionfor robotics project

York physio appointednew association chairDR HELENA Johnson, head ofsubject for physiotherapy at YorkSt John University, has beenelected chair of council of theChartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Helena, who joined York St JohnUniversity in September 2007,received the honour at theSociety’s annual congress.

As head of subject she leads ateam of physiotherapists whodeliver pre-registration andpostgraduate physiotherapyeducation. This also includescontinuing professionaldevelopment opportunities forassistants and a range of alliedhealth professionals.

Helena said: “The role at the CSPenables me to keep up to datewith changes across all healthsectors in the UK, as well as inEurope and more globally.

“This helps enhance the curriculumfor students on the physiotherapyprogrammes at York St JohnUniversity. The team here preparesour graduates to work in anysetting where physiotherapy isneeded.”

Helena has 20 years of experienceof working in the NHS as aclinician in senior posts. She hasworked with a range of clients andhealth professionals in clinicalspecialities in the acute sector andin other environments includingcommunity paediatrics and theprison service.

In 1998 a change in careerdirection led her into academia,beginning at NorthumbriaUniversity as a senior lecturer inphysiotherapy and moving toTeesside University from 2002-2007.

Helena Johnson

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TRAINING for young professionalswill be among new themes at aninternational orthopaedics andrehabilitation show in Leipzig,Germany.

The Orthopadie + Reha-Technik 2012exhibition takes place from May 16to 18, and a World Congress -offering more than 200 lectures -runs alongside it from May 15 toMay 18.

The new ‘youth academy’ section isfor technical orthopaedics and offersa special trainees programme. It willbe complemented by anentrepreneurs’ meeting for theindustry’s young businesspeople.

UK exhibitors at the trade showinclude Ossur Europe, Otto BockHealthcare, Algeos, and for the firsttime, Promedics Orthopaedic fromScotland.

Algeos will have two stands at thisyear’s conference, Algeos Global anda stand representing its orthotic andprosthetic materials brand Aortha,established last year.

At the World Congress, keynotespeakers will present developmentsfrom international research and, forthe first time, there will be a ‘Meetthe Speaker’ session. On the openingday there will be an overview ofprofessional policy challenges, and onthe following day, a discussion ofprosthetics. Among UK speakers willbe cerebral palsy expert DavidCondie.

Orthopadie + Reha-Technik has a 37-year history but has been held inLeipzig since the year 2000.

It takes place every two years, and in2010 attracted 21,000 visitors from108 countries and 554 exhibitors.Over the last ten years, visitornumbers have doubled and exhibitornumbers have risen by 60 per cent.

Other highlights of the 2012exhibition include a focus onorthopaedic footwear technology, the‘Campus,’ area where innovativebusinesses and academic institutionscan present ideas, and a demo ofhow to build a wheelchair from startto finish.

Germany’s Vanessa Low demonstrating the long jump at Paralympic Day 2010.

Training addedto attractionsat Leipzig show

BAPO organisers in callfor meeting papersBAPO is inviting papers fromprosthetists and orthotists who wishto share and improve their clinicalpractice by participating in the clinicalmeeting.

The one-day event offers theopportunity to platform free papersto share with colleagues. BAPO islooking for 12-minute presentationswith up to three minutes fordiscussion.

The venue for this event is the UCLInstitute of Child Health in centralLondon, which is well served bytransport links from all over the UK.

Six papers will be selected, threefrom each discipline, with successfulapplicants notified in writing.

Submission guidelines:

� Topics should be on a single aspectof patient care.

� Provide a 200-word summary orabstract describing the content ofyour presentation.

� Provide information on how thisresearch/method of practice is beingimplemented.

Acceptance of papers is at thediscretion of BAPO.

Submissions should be sent to theBAPO Secretariat at Sir James ClarkBuilding, Abbey Mill Business Centre,Paisley, PA1 1TJ.

Members and non-members canregister and pay online for the eventat www.bapo.com

Sports and Rehabamong zones atNaidex NationalA NEW feature of this year’sNaidex National will be a Sportsand Rehab zone, dedicated tosports products like specialistwheelchairs and rehabilitationequipment such as FunctionalElectrical Stimulation.

Naidex National 2012 takes placefrom May 1-3 at the BirminghamNEC with a growing list ofexhibitors from across the UK andoverseas including Otto Bock,Trulife, Bioness and RSL Steeper.

The event, which usually attractsaround 360 exhibitors, will alsoshowcase the latest specialistexercise equipment for homerehabilitation at The IndependentLiving Show.

Visitors will be invited to tour amock-up house to see how newproducts work within the homeand how they can improveindependence, quality of life andproductivity of users.

Other attractions include a ‘Meetthe Experts’ area, where, forexample, occupational therapistswill give advice to the public abouthome adaptations, and theKideQuip area dedicated tochildren’s equipment and services.

Naidex marketing manager ArrianaCatania said: “One highlight ofthis area will be a ‘trailblazer’ - atruck and mobile assessment unit -provided by Treloar College for

physically disabled students inHampshire.”

Healthcare professionals willbenefit from the free Naidex CPDConference which will offerstrategic and clinical seminarscovering a wide range of topics.Workshops and seminars will bededicated to prosthetics andorthotics as well as occupationaltherapy and physiotherapy.

Event director Liz Logan said: “Thisis a great way for professionalswithin the health and disabilityindustries to not only enhancetheir continuous professionaldevelopment portfolios but also toreceive free career advice.”

Naidex is the UK’s largesthomecare, disability andrehabilitation event. Amongpioneering products unveiled atlast year’s show was the Rewalk,an exoskeleton that helpsparaplegics to stand and walk.

Event organiser Liz Logan.

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The technical director of one of the world’s leading prosthetics manufacturers has received the royalseal of approval from the Duke of Edinburgh. Helen Williams found out more.

Royal recognition fortechnical director SaeedTHE shortlist for the Prince PhillipDesigner’s Prize 2011 encompassedone of the widest ranges of designdisciplines in its history, from museumdesign to hydraulic ankles – and evenmillinery for Kylie Minogue.

Saeed Zahedi, from Chas ABlatchford & Sons, joined the line-upof internationally respected namessuch as Sir Paul Smith and architectSir David Chipperfield.

Saeed, among the leading designersof prosthetics, has been at theforefront of breakthroughs whichmake life better for amputees. Hewas presented with a HighlyCommended certificate by the Duke.

Using digital electronics andintelligent interfaces, Blatchford hasdeveloped a number of foot,hydraulic ankle and microprocessor-controlled knee systems.

Headquartered in Basingstoke, thecompany runs over 30 per cent ofNHS prosthetics and orthotics

contracts, including the DefenceMedical Rehabilitation Centre atHeadley Court.

It is the second time that thecompany’s design team has beenchosen for an award, with BrianBlatchford, the current owner’sfather, having been a winner in 1976.

Brian then won the Duke ofEdinburgh Designer Prize fordevelopment of the modularassembly prosthesis, where for thefirst time modern engineeringprinciples were applied to thedevelopment of artificial limbs toincrease their functionality.

His son Stephen, who is now chiefexecutive, and his mother Joyce werealso at this year’s awards.

Saeed, who received an OBE 12 yearsago, said: “Brian Blatchford’s visionhas lived on in our research anddevelopment team for the last threedecades, and these awards are anopportunity to bring this vision to

public attention.

“Our products have advanced in linewith the needs of today's youngamputees who require independentliving after experiencing injuries inrecent conflicts.

“When I was called to receive thisspecial nomination, sitting betweenStephen Blatchford, our chiefexecutive who has steered us overthe last 25 years to build on hisfather's aspiration, and JoyceBlatchford who has tirelessly guidedus to adhere to principles that herhusband set, I felt content and happythat we have completed a chapter inour history. This award was anendorsement of the highest level ofour team achievement.”

Saeed added that the prizerecognised the creative andinnovative nature of Blatchford’swork, and was a tribute toengineering and manufacturing inthe United Kingdom.

He said: “One of the greatest thingsany engineer can dream of is to applyengineering and advances intechnology into rehabilitation ofpeople who have lost limbs, restoringtheir function to the full.

“I think we are one step closer tofulfilling this ultimate aim, and thisaward motivates us to move to thenext chapter.

“It is a great feeling to be part of thisrenaissance in prosthetics.”

Saeed Zahedi with Stephen Blatchford and his mother Joyce at the ceremony.

Saeed Zahedi with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Award-winning team developing smart technologyPROFESSOR Saeed Zahedi works witha team of design engineers based atBournemouth University.

The team has attracted muchattention for its world-leading workin prosthetics and was shortlisted inthe 2011 Times Higher EducationAwards – the Oscars of highereducation – for OutstandingEngineering Research Team of theYear.

It consists of professor SiamakNoroozi, Dr Phillip Sewell, Bryce Dyer,Professor John Vinney and professorZahedi. They are developing smart

technology to assist and inform inthe fitting of lower limb prosthesesto achieve sustainable comfort.

The work combines artificialintelligence and experimentalmethods to develop a prostheticsocket which can measure theinteraction between the socket andthe limb. It will be able tocompensate for changes due tomovement, fluid build-up and musclewastage to make sure the devicecontinues to fit the patient duringwalking, sitting, standing andmanoeuvering over rough terrains.

The Bournemouth University team, from the left: Bryce Dyer, professor Bogdan Gabrys,professor Siamak Noroozi and vice chancellor John Vinney.

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ASSISTIVE Technologies had its firstRoyal visitor last month when PrinceCharles visited us and met the teambehind the magazine for clinicians,therapists and equipment suppliers.

His Royal Highness met managingdirector Michael Hewitt, group editorJudith Halkerston and sales directorTony Barry who showed him ourportfolio of magazines as well asnew technology associated withScript Media’s corporate videodivision.

Digital media producer SimonRodman demonstrated some of the

techniques used, including greenscreen, to produce broadcast qualityvideos.

Judith said: “It was a real honour forus to welcome the Prince to theAssistive Technologies offices and wewere all thrilled to meet him.

“He seemed genuinely interested inthe work that we do and was veryfriendly and put everyone at ease.”

Prince Charles also visited otherdivisions of the Acredula Group,Script’s parent company, includingthe Barnsley Chronicle, Pen andSword Books and Yorkshire Web.

The day that ATwelcomed a Prince ...

Prince Charles chats to Assistive Technologies product manager Christine Daly-Sadler.

HRH Prince Charles learns more about Script Media from managing director Michael Hewitt and group editor Judith Halkerston.

Bats inspire newcane for the blindULTRASONIC waves used by batshave inspired an electronic canewhich can help blind and visuallyimpaired people to detect obstacles.

York-based Sound ForesightTechnology came up with theUltraCane, which vibrates when it isnear objects so that the user cansense their way around.

The original work was done by ateam of British scientists at theUniversity of Leeds and based on‘biomimetics’ – the transfer ofmaterials and techniques developedin nature over millions of years to21st century technology.

Recently demonstrated on a BBCBreakfast television report, theUltraCane incorporates sensitiveobstacle detection sensors.

It works by giving users amplewarning of obstacles ahead of them,both in their path and at headheight, and has two forward rangesof detection – two and four metres.It also detects objects above the wristto approximately 1.6 metres.

Alan Thorpe, a guide dog user andone of the visually impaired userswho appeared in the BBC film, saidthe device provided a safer

experience when negotiatingunfamiliar areas or quiet streets.

He added: “Overhanging bushes andtrees can be a hazard but the canegives some upper body protectionthat you don’t get with a normalcane or even a guide dog.”

The cane’s handset is fitted withtransmitters and sensors with twovibrating tactile buttons at the top.The user places their thumb to coverboth buttons at the same time. Oneor both of the buttons starts tovibrate as soon as there is anobstacle and increases in intensity.

It is now being used by people in 12different countries including the USA,Japan and South America.

The handle of the UltraCane.

When did you become interested inthe industry and why? I was working in PeterboroughHospital as an RAF Medic and waslooking to leave the services, acolleague of mine put me in touchwith Tyco and that is where mycareer started.

How have you ended up where youare today?

I have been lucky enough to workfor a wealth of companies withinthe industry, all of which have ledme to this role.

What's the biggest change you'veseen in the industry?

The biggest change is that theindustry is far more focused oncontracts and pricing.

If you could make onerecommendation to take the industryforward what would it be?

To continue to support the homegrown companies.

What would you like to see happen tothe industry in the future?

To continue to work towards theethos that the patient and

providing a five-star treatment toeach patient come first.

Is there one characteristic you needto work in this industry?

I would say that tenacity andpersonality are some of the mostimportant characteristics needed inthis industry.

How have consumer requirementschanged over the years?

Purchasers are much more focusedon the pricing of a product.

How do you see the next 12 monthspanning out for your company? Whatis your goal?

My goal is to get on the road,provide training and developmentfor my clients and clinicians.

Five minutes with Simon Mills, area sales manager covering East Anglia and NorthLondon for Beagle.

‘Industry is far more focusedon contracts and pricing’

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By Dominic Musgrave

A NOTTINGHAM professor who hasdedicated her professional life tohelping to rehabilitate peopleaffected by stroke has received royalrecognition for her work.

Marion Walker, professor in strokerehabilitation at The University ofNottingham’s Division ofRehabilitation and Ageing, has beenawarded the MBE in the Queen’sNew Year Honours.

Marion, who also studied for twohigher degrees at the university, said:“I am absolutely thrilled to receivethis honour.

“It is just fantastic that the work ofstroke rehabilitation research at TheUniversity of Nottingham has beenrecognised in this way. Improving thequality of life of stroke survivors iscentral to all our efforts.”

She started her professional life as anoccupational therapist, qualifying in1980 at the Glasgow College ofOccupational Therapy and going onto become one of the first in the UKto be awarded a PhD.

She then received a College of

Occupational Therapy Fellowship forpioneering a research culture withinthe profession.

Her work was later recognised by herown peers when she was cited asone of the top 10 occupationaltherapists in the UK in theIndependent on Sunday in 2002.

Marion came to Nottingham in 1983to help establish one of the firststroke units in England, moving on toresearch in 1986 and working on anumber of short-term research grantsuntil securing her first University ofNottingham post in 1997 as Lecturerin Stroke Rehabilitation, a postfunded by the Stroke Association.

She became Professor of StrokeRehabilitation just 10 years later in2007.

Marion has played a key role ininfluencing clinical guidelines onstroke care and rehabilitation and hercurrent role at The University ofNottingham sees her heading up a£4m programme of work in strokerehabilitation implementing theresearch findings from four studies.

She is also currently working onresearch projects worth a total of£10m in stroke rehabilitation grants.

Marion is now waiting to find outwhen she will travel to BuckinghamPalace to receive her medal.She hasbeen celebrating the news of herhonour with family and friends afterhaving to keep the news underwraps for around six weeks.

New Year’s honour forstroke rehab professor

Marion Walker has been awarded theMBE. Picture credit: The University ofNottingham.

Change ofdate foramputeecompetition THE 2012 Amputee Gamespresented by LimbPower takeplace from May 12-13 at theStoke Mandeville Stadium.

This will be the fifth AmputeeGames introducing amputeesto disability sport, with thefocus on using sport to aidrehabilitation. The event issupported by Blatchford, TheBoost Charitable Trust,Stewarts Law and TheLimbless Association and, todate, 370 amputees havebenefited from taking part.

The games are being held inMay instead of August thisyear because of the Olympicsand Paralympics.

Participants can try over adozen sports includingfootball, basketball, volleyball,tennis, swimming, fencing andpowerlifting. Food andaccommodation is includedand entrants pay aregistration fee of £25.

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A SPECIALIST paediatric seatingsystem from manufacturer Consoloris improving the quality of life for asix-year-old girl with quadriplegiccerebral palsy.

Angel Street from Dorset was bornwith the condition which affects themovement in all her limbs and meansshe requires extremely specialistseating.

Her parents and occupationaltherapist had assessed many differentseating systems until they arrived atthe fully adjustable Delfi PRO.

The system has features including aDynamic backrest which prevents thechild from losing pelvic position inthe seat. It also offers the userenhanced flexibility andindependence as it can be fitted toany model of wheelchair or

powerchair and easily transferredbetween indoor and outdoor bases.

In the nine months that Angel hasbeen using the Delfi PRO her parentsand teachers, at Langside School inDorset, have noticed the change inher.

Her mum Paula said: “If you or I arenot comfortable this will affect ourmood and the same is true withAngel who is now so much happier.

“We can now enjoy days out as afamily without having to transferAngel, and with the recline functionshe can be moved to a morehorizontal position when tired.”

Consolor, based in Dorset, hasprovided bespoke specialist seatingfor customers including championParalympic archer Mel Clarke.

Specialist seatingsystem helps Angel

Angel Street with her occupational therapist Mary Morris

TEENAGE amateur boxer andamputee Jonjo Look is getting backin the ring after years ofrehabilitation.

Jonjo, 18, from Weymouth, lost partof his right leg in an explosion in May2010 as he filled a gas canister topower a CO2 air rifle.

Nine inches of his shin was severedand although doctors could havesaved his leg, it would have beenlimp, so Jonjo chose to have itamputated. His right hand was alsobroken in 14 places, but has nowfully healed.

Jonjo was fitted with a prostheticlimb from Bournemouth’s prostheticcentre and learned to walk again injust two months.

He is now back in training atDorchester Amateur Boxing Club.

Before the accident, he won the2010 Western CountiesChampionship and the DorsetAmateur Boxing Association ofEngland Championship. He hasalways dreamed of turningprofessional, a dream which he stillhopes to achieve.

He said: “I thought I might not fightagain and that was devastating. Butthe limbs available to me are prettygood.”

Doctors have cleared themiddleweight boxer to fight againand Jonjo is now waiting for thegreen light to compete from theABAE.

Jonjo plans ring returnfollowing years of rehab

A London school for students with special educational needs (SEN) is seeing excellentresults from an interactive computer game based on body motion tracking technology.Charlton School, Greenwich, has students aged 11 to 19 with a wide range of abilities,including some with profound and multiple learning difficulties. It has been using theTimocco game to help with the cognitive and motor development of pupils. The game,which just needs a webcam and standard PC, features Timocco the monkey as its maincharacter and is played via arm movements which are tracked by software and trackingcontrollers. It is used in clinics and at home as well as in schools.

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By Helen Williams

GAIT scanning technology morecommonly used by podiatrists andphysiotherapists is being put to asurprising use – investigating howrhinos carry their huge bodyweight.

Foot scanning devices are normallyused to help assess and diagnose(human) patients’ foot biomechanics.They measure distribution of forcethroughout a patient’s foot duringeach footstep, identifying highpressure areas and gait abnormalities.

Now a team from the RoyalVeterinary College in London is usingthe same technology to find out howthe mechanics of rhinos’ feet are ableto bear such a heavy load on a smallsurface area.

They have trained three rhinos atColchester Zoo to walk overelectronic pressure pads so theirweight distribution can be measured.

Rhinos in captivity often haveproblems with their feet and thoughkeepers can ease the pain bytrimming their feet, more knowledge

is needed to ensure critical pressurepoints are not being cut away.

Gait scanning technology isbecoming more sophisticated andmany practitioners report positiveresults – although some warn thatthe technology is not a substitute fora full professional diagnosisformulated on good clinical skills.

Ronald Talens, physiotherapymanager at BMI The ChaucerHospital in Canterbury, said he hadseen successful results from TOGGaitScan, which allowed for adynamic scan rather than a staticone.

He said: “There are few methods thatcan be used to look underneath aclient’s foot while it is moving andthen accurately feed back to thepractitioner and client what ishappening at each phase of the gaitcycle.

“The system assesses a person’s needfor prescription custom-madeorthotics in the same way that anoptician would prescribe a pair ofglasses for the individual wearer.”

New use for gait technology

Ronald Talens using the gait scanning technology.

Ronald using the gait analysis with a client.

Our new-look features sections give you the opportunity to advertiseyour business on a page designated to your own specific field.

To find out more ring Christine Daly-Sadler on 01226 734412.

Rhinos at Colchester Zoo havewalked over electronic pressurepads so their weight distributioncan be measured.

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A NEW injury recovery centrecosting £8.5 million – and for bothelite athletes and the public – hasopened at Moulton College inNorthamptonshire.

The Sports Therapy and InjuryRehabilitation Centre, only thesecond of its kind in Europe, has arange of cutting edge clinicalfacilities to speed recovery fromvarious injuries and illnesses.

Facilities include a cryotherapychamber that uses liquid nitrogen tocool air temperature, sometimes toextremely low levels. This can speed

recovery from intense training aswell as reduce psychological stressand muscle and joint pain. It canalso be used to treat conditions likerheumatism and psoriasis.

The centre also has a hyperbaricoxygen chamber to increase thehealing rate of fractures, burns andskin grafts, and an infrared saunaand water therapy pool.

The pool has an underwaterexercise bike and treadmill forrecovery from, for example, kneereplacements, while an additionalthermal therapy chamber can help

remove toxins and stimulate theimmune system.

The centrepiece of the developmentis a 25-metre swimming pool whichwill be open to local swimmingclubs. It incorporates a moveablefloor, enabling the depth to beadjusted to offer a variety ofhydrotherapy treatments.

In addition, the centre will houselecture theatres and treatmentclinics, including the dedicatedfacilities for hydrotherapy andcryotherapy, along with abiomechanics lab, and changing

rooms for students using the nearbysports pitch.

All the facilities and space at thecentre will be available for rent,with new and established privateconsultants able to base themselvesat the college, using the high-techkit as well as consulting rooms andmassage areas.

College bosses are hopeful the NHSand special interest groups forpeople with long-term conditionssuch as multiple sclerosis will beinterested.

New centre to benefit athletes and public

By Dominic Musgrave

A PROFESSIONAL rugby player testedthe North’s only open-sided MRIscanner after failing to achieve aneffective scan through a traditionalclosed unit.

James Hall, who is now back in theAviva Premiership with NewcastleFalcons following a knee injury inApril, required a routine scan but wasunable to remain still and in comfortbecause of the confined nature ofthe closed scanner.

He said: “Because of my size I foundit very difficult to lay still for a lengthof time and the closed nature andnoise of the unit was quite stressful.

“The open-sided scanner was able toachieve the same results but was

much more comfortable andspacious. I would certainlyrecommend an open sided MRI scanfor larger people or those that haveanxiety.”

James visited the Newcastle Clinic inJesmond which currently has the onlyopen sided MRI scanner in the northof England.

The clinic invested more than£700,000 for the state-of-the-artequipment after identifying that morethan 10 per cent of patients referredfor a traditional MRI scan cannotproceed because of claustrophobia oranxiety.

Salwa Bowen, head physiotherapistat Newcastle Falcons, said: “MRIscanning is a regular requirement forthe team, not just to diagnose

injuries but also as a routine part ofthe players’ healthcare programme.

“We usually scan a player at leastonce a month and often need aspeedy service to keep the boys fitand healthy on the pitch.”

The scanner is completely open,providing a much more comfortableand relaxing environment. To helpkeep calm and to promote a stressfree experience most patients are

able to read, listen to music and havea companion sat with them whilethey are being scanned.

This is not possible with a closedscanner.

It is also very quiet in comparisonwith a conventional tunnel MRIscanner and so is much lessintimidating for children, who cansee their parents and be reassuredthroughout the scanning process.

James Hall with the unit.

Scanner helpsJames make aspeedy recovery

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PR

OD

UC

TS

OACTIVE KNEE BRACE

THE OActive is an off theshelf, lightweight, low-profilesingle upright osteoarthritisknee brace. Its laterallyapplied frame and hingeprovide correction for eithermedial or lateralcompartmental OA avoidingcontact with the contra-lateral limb during gait. TheOActive is perfect forbilateral brace users and alsoavailable as a made tomeasure brace if required. Strong and lightweight due to its low-profilefibre reinforced composite shells and aerospace grade aluminium hinges,it provides ultimate strength and support. Other features include quickrelease buckles, silicone grip liners to prevent migration and an optionalcalf wrap.

Enquiries: For further information telephone Gilbert & Mellish on 0121 475 1101.

INTRODUCING THE DYNAPRO™TORTICOLLIS ORTHOSIS

GILBERT & MELLISH PIEDRO SANDALS

CUSTOM CTLSO - WHEN THE RESTJUST WON’T DO

PIEDRO sandals areperfect for children whorequire orthopaedicstability footwear forconditions such ascerebral palsy, varus orvalgus instabilities andother medical conditions.Piedro stability sandalsfeature high andextended corset stiffenersthat fixate the subtalarjoint and stabilise thetalo-crural joint. Extradepth lasts provideenough space for theremovable footbed (included) which can be replaced by custom foot orthoses.Piedro sandals are perfect for the spring and summer months ahead and areavailable in a wide variety of styles and colours, in sizes 18–42 and in threewidths – 3, 4 and 5.

Enquiries: For a copy of the new brochure or for further informationtelephone Gilbert & Mellish on 0121 475 1101.

BEAGLE Orthopaedic houses a large spinal database ofspinal models to suit a variety of patients. From this extensive library we can manufacture yourCTLSO using measures provided from a simplemeasurement chart. We then adapt the relevant modelto meet the specification. Each orthosis is fabricated to the patient’s uniquemodel and your specifications, ensuring the optimumfit, support and comfort. A transfer pattern can beapplied to the brace if required. CTLSO’s are available as a bi-valve design finished tocompletion, no intermediate fitting, with a variety ofliners such as cool foam, north foam 33®, evazote® andlamb’s wool. The TLSO is then coupled with components from theinnovative Aspen CTO to provide exceptional stabilityrequired for your patient in the upper thoracic and cervical region. This design offers a step-down reduction for on-going rehabilitation therapyand a highly effective motion restriction with a level of comfort that makes iteasily tolerated by patients, enhancing compliance.Available in paediatric and adult sizes, the CTLSO can be delivered in threedays - or less for urgent/trauma cases. Enquiries: For a measurement chart telephone Beagle on 01254 268788.

Ian Leddy appointedTalarMade’s new MD LEADING international supplier offoot orthoses and orthopaedicsupports TalarMade has appointedIan Leddy as managing director forUK-based operations.

Ian has extensive senior managementexperience in the orthopaedic/healthcare industry after many yearsas commercial manager with Trulife,where he managed their orthopaedicand breast care sales teams.

He said: “TalarMade has achievedconsiderable growth and brandestablishment over recent years. Inparticular they have built an enviablereputation for high quality innovativeproducts coupled with first classcustomer services.

“The past 12 months has seenTalarMade make significantinvestments in supply chaininfrastructure, new product rangesand extensive marketing support.

“The launch of a new catalogue andfully integrated e-commerce website

during 2012 will provide an excellentplatform for TalarMade to continueits growth and success.”

Bernie Crewdson will remain in hisposition as chairman and willcontinue with hands-on managementof the firm’s growing internationalmarket share.

Ian Leddy

TRULIFE has unveiled its NeuroOrthotics catalogue.

It brings together a wide range ofsolutions including innovativeFunctional Electrical Stimulationtechnology for the treatment ofdropfoot, static and air bladderorthotics and neuro-dynamic bracing,which provide stretch therapy forabnormal tone and managingspasticity.

In addition to the catalogue’sintroduction, and based on thesuccess of last year’s educationalprogramme which focused on theclinical application of an ankle footorthosis for the neurological patient,

Trulife will continue to deliver neurobased educational sessionsthroughout 2012.

Elaine Nelson, lead orthotist, said:“From the outset our educationalprogramme, which we modelled inthe south east region, has been verywell subscribed and the feedback hasbeen incredibly positive.

“In view of this, the programme willbe rolled out nationally with the keylearning focus on basic patientassessment, biomechanics of gait,orthotic intervention including tuningorthoses and applying electricalstimulation.”

Trulife launches catalogue

THE DynaPro™ Torticollis Orthosis isthe latest addition to the OCSI rangeof stock orthoses distributed by Trulife– available for next day delivery fromtheir head office in Sheffield.Designed to treat lateral flexion of thehead and neck, this new orthosisfeatures a ‘Bend to Fit’ shoulder cuffwhich allows for quick and easycustomisation to allow for restorativetorticollis therapy. In addition, the semi-rigid heatmoldable upright with ‘flex’technology allows for a gentle stretchto reverse tissue shortening or manage lateral cervical flexion spasticity.Using the DynaPro™ Torticollis Orthosis can significantly improvefunctional alignment of the head and neck facilitating improved vision,swallowing and performance of ADL’s.

Enquiries: For further information contact Trulife on 0114 261 8100 oremail [email protected]

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assistive technologies february / march 2012

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