By Dominic Musgrave

AN Oxfordshire company is aiming touse the science behind spiders' websto help rebuild people's joints.

Orthox has developed a silkbiomaterial that can regeneratedamaged cartilage and bone tissues.

The company's CEO Nick Skaer toldAssistive Technologies that thetechnology, which imitates thestrength and resilience of spiders' silk,could save the NHS hundreds ofmillions of pounds.

He added: “Spider's silk is one of thestrongest substances known to manand, combined with being extremelyelastic, it is not only very strong butalso very robust. We are looking atdeveloping a material based on this tofix cartilages because more operationsof this type to repair them are takingplace each year.

“Once inside the human we hope thematerial will repair the damaged tissueand encourage new cartilage to growaround it and replace it."

The company has been studying thesilk produced by a poisonous speciesof spider from Australia, but because

each spider can only produce about 20metres of silk in one go, silk worms,which are more prolific spinners, areused instead. The company plans toturn liquid silk into silk sponges, whichwill be used to replace the damagedcartilage.

Based on a decade of research byOxford University scientists, theabsorbable implant takes over thefunction of the damaged tissue,removing the need for permanentplastic or metal prosthesis.

Nick added: “The model is workinghow we would want it to and we arepretty close in the development stage.We received £1.6m from the WellcomeTrust to fund the development anddesign process. This is a three-yearproject and in two-and-a-half we hopeto be in a position where we are usingthe materials in humans. In future wehope to develop products for otherserious orthopaedic problems such asspinal disc repair and boneregeneration.”

Knee replacements now cost the NHSmore each year than total hipreplacements, estimated at nearly £1billion by 2010.

Firm turningto spider’s web science

Five-year-old Ellie Challis made headline news when she became the youngestperson to be fitted with Flex Run feet, after losing her limbs to meningitis.Inside, Bob Watts of fitters Dorset Orthopaedic shares his experience of theproject with Assistive Technologies. Picture: www.worldwidefeatures.com

Full story, Page 14

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE ISSUE 67 June/July 2009 £6.95

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ContactsEditorialAndrew Harrod Group Editoreditorial@assistivetechnologies.co.uk

Dominic Musgrave Healthcare EditorEmail: dm@whpl.net Tel: 01226 734407

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Circulationcirculation@wharncliffepublishing.co.uk24 hour hotline: 01226 734695

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Whilst every effort ismade to ensure theaccuracy of all contents,the publishers do notaccept liability for anyerror, printed or other-wise, that may occur.

www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

Paralympian Marc Woods is swapping water

for walking and usingprosthetic technology to

help him climb the seven highest mountains

in the world. He is working with DorsetOrthapaedic to trial

the Blatchford Echelonfoot and the next

stage is to attach it to aBrio adjustable heelheight unit, to help

him climb down steepslopes.

Hand operationdrugs study setto begin in USBy Dominic Musgrave

AN American hospital is beginning anew study which aims to reduce theamount of drugs given to patientsundergoing hand transplantoperations.

Although surgeons from around theworld have performed handtransplants successfully for almost 10years, they have used multiplemedications to prevent rejection ofthe grafts, increasing the risk ofdiabetes, hypertension and otherdisorders.

Researchers and surgeons at theUniversity of Pittsburgh MedicalCenter hope to use antibody therapy,donor bone marrow cell infusion andtreatment with a reduced amount ofimmunosuppressive drugs to reducetoxicity for patients.

Andrew Lee, chief of the division ofplastic surgery and professor ofsurgery, added: “We will be offeringanother, potentially safer alternativefor those who have lost a hand.

“With our focus on reducing themultiple drugs typical of thisprocedure, we believe that we canrestore what many amputees have

lost without the risk of devastatingside effects.”

Surgeons at UPMC will adapt a two-phase protocol that involves initialantibody treatment followed by bonemarrow cell therapy. The goal is notonly to suppress the immune systembut to change the way it functions.

Transplant patients will receiveantibodies to help overcome theinitial overwhelming immuneresponse. That will be followed by abone marrow infusion. The bonemarrow cells target specific cells thatcould reject the hand and help “re-educate” the immune system intothinking that the transplanted handis not a foreign object.

Dr Lee added: “Unlike a solid-organtransplant, which is needed toprolong life, a hand transplantimproves only the quality of life. Wetake very seriously the long-termhealth of our patients. We havedevoted many years of research todeveloping a protocol that willreduce the risks of the procedure.We believe this will achieve this goal,allowing more amputees to beconsidered for hand transplants inthe future.”

Device ‘rewires’ the brain for MS patientsA NEW device could help peoplewith Multiple Sclerosis improvetheir balance and walk normallyagain by ‘rewiring’ the brain.

The GaitAid virtual walker beingdeveloped in Israel by professorYoram Baram consists of a mobilephone-size, lightweight control unitand a set of goggles that providesensory feedback of visual imagesand sounds in response to thepatients’ movements. Worn for

practice-walking for between 20and 30 minutes a day, the deviceaims to 'rewire' the brain to followa healthier walking pattern- aneffect that often continues evenwhen it is not being worn.

Yoram said: “Along with the abilityto walk normally again, the GaitAidVirtual Walker restores the MultipleSclerosis patient's capacity to getthe most enjoyment from life.

“It gives the feeling that the usercan take control of the illness, gettheir confidence back and enjoygoing out for a walk without thefear of falling down."

Yoram , a computer scienceprofessor, developed the GaitAidVirtual Walker in collaboration withseveral neurologists specialising intreating Multiple Sclerosis and othermovement disorders.

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A SPECIALISED podiatry service inNorth Tyneside is being extendedfollowing a successful pilotprogramme.

The podiatry biomechanics service –provided by the region’s Primary CareTrust – provides assessment andtreatment for a wide range of issuesthat can develop as a result ofbiomechanical problems in feet.

Previously the service was onlyavailable at the podiatrydepartment’s base in North Shields,but now patients are referred bytheir GP to their nearestbiomechanics base, enabling them tobe seen closer to their own home.

Principal podiatrist in biomechanicsSteve Hannant, who has overseenthe development of the new service,said: “Being able to offer the serviceat locations across North Tynesidemeans that we can provide thespecialist care patients need in acommunity setting, ensuring that theproblems they’re experiencing areidentified and treated at the earliestopportunity. In this way early footproblems are prevented fromdeveloping into potentially moreserious issues requiring surgery.”

When a patient gets referred to theservice, staff carry out an initialbiomechanical assessment toestablish the exact nature of theproblems they are experiencing. Thiscan involve watching the way aperson walks, stands and moves in

order to correctly identify the causeof their problems. Along with thetreatments, which can include footorthoses and stretching and stren-gthening exercises, advice is given onthe best type of footwear to opt for.

Steve added: “Human feet are amarvel of biomechanical engineering,giving us stability and balance,providing grip and strength, andacting as shock absorbers as we walkand run. The majority of the time ourfeet do their jobs and everythingstays in balance, but when part ofthe biomechanical system in our feetstops working correctly that’s whenproblems arise. By assessing andtreating problems early we’re able toreduce the number of peopleneeding to receive hospital basedtreatment for more seriousproblems”

The new service is being rolled outacross the region over the next year.

Steve giving advice

Podiatry pilot to be extended

By Dominic Musgrave

A NEW piece of equipment at anAmerican rehabilitation hospital ishelping children with neurologicalconditions to walk again.

The Rehabilitation Institute ofChicago is offering PediatricLokomat therapy or robot-assistedwalking therapy for children withcerebral palsy. The condition is theleading cause of disability inchildren, which affects the motorcontrol portion of the brain, oftenaccompanied by secondaryorthopaedic conditions affecting achild’s voluntary muscle activation,tone, reflexes, coordination,balance and ability to walk and beindependent.

Deborah Gaebler-Spira, MD,director of the cerebral palsyprogramme at RIC, said: “Theinstitute is committed todiscovering new treatments thatmaximise the abilities of kids withcerebral palsy allowing them toachieve their goals in life.

“There is an immense need forresearch in this area, and we arededicated to examining the vastopportunities and discovering newtreatments that advance ability forthose who are living with the

disease.”

Robot-assisted walking is a form ofphysical therapy that uses arobotic device to help a personimprove his or her ability to walk.

The patient is suspended in aharness over a treadmill, and anexoskeleton robotic frame,attached by straps to the outsideof the legs, moves the legs in anatural walking pattern.

A computer controls the pace ofwalking and measures the body’sresponse to the movement. Thepediatric model also has aninteractive gaming interface which,through cartoon characters andchallenges, motivates children and

provides them instruction.

Deborah added: “Currently, thistype of physical therapy isconducted with the aid of two ormore therapists who manuallymove the patient’s legs in awalking pattern.

“The strenuous nature andvariability of the manual methodcan limit the frequency andduration of therapy. In theLokomat, the robotic device doesmost of the heavy work, thepattern and pace are consistentthroughout the session, and theexercise can be sustained overlonger periods of time, making itmore effective.”

Helping kids to walk againSkeletondemonstratesnew jointsA SKELETON was put through itspaces on an exercise bike todemonstrate the next generation ofartificial joints at an event wherebusinesses were shown some of theUK’s most cutting-edge research.

The cycling skeleton was the star ofan interactive display at Pioneers 09by biomedical engineers from theuniversities of Leeds and Glasgow,who are developing longer-lastingjoints that cause less wear and tear,taking people well beyond retirementage as life expectancy grows.

The aim is to improve people’s qualityof life, while also reducing theeconomic burden on the NHS. Itsmovements were powered by asecond bicycle, which visitors couldhop on and ride.

Research fellow Dr Sotirios Korossis, amember of Leeds’ Institute of Medicaland Biological Engineering, said: “Inthe past artificial replacement jointshave been largely developed on a‘one size fits all’ basis.By creatingpersonalised implants, preciselytailored to the needs of theindividual, we want to give patientsthe best possible chance of a moreactive, healthy old age – so peoplecan enjoy their longer lives asactively as possible.”

The Polytol PU resin kit from Otto Bockhas received two design awards.The equipment, which is used to fabricate flexible inner sockets has won the iF material and the Design Plus awards. For the iF awards, the jury evaluated a total of 98 entries from 13 countries, according to thecriteria of material selection,processing, innovativeness,environmental compatibility, designquality, functionality, ergonomics andsafety. The Polytol PU resin kit and fourother submissions received the iF materialaward in gold during the Hanover tradefair, while a total of 36 products receivedthe Design Plus award.

Physio suspended for yearover standards of proficiencyA PHYSIOTHERAPIST has beensuspended for a year for failing tomeet the HPC standards ofproficiency while working for theEast Cheshire NHS Trust.

The HPC conduct and competencecommittee heard that Rachel K Bird displayed poor clinicalreasoning, used inappropriatehandling techniques and allowedpatients to perform inappropriateexercises.

The panel also heard that shedisplayed poor time management,planning and prioritisation skills andexhibited poor communication with

patients, carers and her multi-disciplinary team.

Chair Derek Adrian Harris said: “The shortcomings of Ms Bird’spractice are wide ranging andserious.

“She appears to lack fundamentalknowledge of some basicphysiotherapy techniques.

“In addition to protecting the public,a suspension order will allow hertime to reflect on her shortcomingsand also give her the opportunity totake steps to remedy the deficienciesin her practice.”

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Hip devices ‘extremely durable’RESEARCHERS at Rush UniversityMedical Center have found that totalhip replacement devices areextremely durable, even 20 yearsafter surgery.

Clinical and radiological evidenceshowed that 96 per cent of the 124cementless metal componentsassessed remained securely fixed inplace 20 years post surgery,according to a study published in theMay issue of the Journal of Bone andJoint Surgery.

These components, which fit into thecup-shaped hip socket, were among

the first implants designed with aporous structure to allow bone togrow into the surface in the hope ofachieving long-term fixation.

Dr. Craig Della Valle, an orthopedicsurgeon and principal author of thestudy, said: “Our results confirmearlier work done at Rush and atother institutions: that cementlessacetabular components work verywell and that long-term biologicalfixation can be obtained.

“With time, the number of repeatsurgeries due to wear and osteolysishas increased, as have the numbers

of cases of osteolysis we identifiedradiologically. But with the newer,more wear-resistant bearing surfaceswe are now using, we believe thatfewer patients today will needrevision surgery for these reasons.”

Over the last two decades, theresearchers have been studying theresults for 204 total hip replacementsperformed at Rush in the mid-1980sin a group of 184 patients ranging inage from 20 to 84 years. Findingswere previously reported at 10 and15 years.

In the present study, the researchers

analysed results for 124 hipreplacements in the 111 patientswho were still alive 20 years or moreafter surgery. Since the previousreport at 15 years, two metal cupimplants, in addition to the threenoted earlier, were found to beloose. Of the original 204 hipreplacements, five cases had failed.Two of these five implants wererevised, but three were left intactbecause the patients did not suffersignificant symptoms.

The study was funded in part byZimmer, which supplies orthopedicdevices.

A BELOW the knee amputee hassuccessfully climbed MountKilimanjaro in aid of his localchildren’s hospice.

Rik Bennet decided to attempt theclimb together with fellow hikersafter completing a ‘four peaks’challenge, a 30-hour climb ofBritain’s highest peaks: Ben Nevis,Snowdon and Scarfell Pike and theirlocal hill on Bodmin Moor.

Rik told Assistive Technologies thatthe group self funded the trip so allthe money raised went tosupporting the creation of achildren’s hospice in the south west.

He added: ‘The difficulty is mentalas well as physical. You’re alwaysneeding to push yourself onwardsand make yourself keep going. It’seasy to lose the will and give up,and that’s why so many people failto complete the climb.

“The great thing about the ModularIII foot I used from Ossur is that itmoves me forward rather that theother way round.”

The trek involved a four-day ascentand two-day descent, and Rik usedthe foot in conjunction with theIceross Seal-In X5 liner.

Rik tames Mount Kilimanjaro

Rik and friends at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro

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JOHN Fairclough and CharlieArcher have shown for the firsttime that the knee has the abilityto heal itself, which couldtransform the treatment of arthriticconditions.

They believe the breakthroughcould eventually mean that insteadof patients undergoing majorsurgery to have their kneesresurfaced or replaced withartificial joints, the knee could beencouraged to heal itself internallywith help from orthopaedicexperts.

John, who is based at theUniversity of Wales InstituteCardiff’s school of sport, said:“Growing old is not easy – theathletic body of our youth

transforms, no longer able totolerate the vigorous exercise ofour early years.

“We get stiffer, we slow down webegin to ache. For many our jointsbegin to become painful and startto first reduce our ability toexercise easily and then cause painand limit function.

“Each year in the UK there aremore than five millionconsultations related to knee painand the Holy Grail for all medicaland sports participants is to beable to measure joint wear and tostop its progression and as a goalre-grow any damaged part of thejoint surface.”

The research, conducted at Uwicand at Cardiff University, found

that once the joints have rubbedaway that the bone, instead ofbeing completely dead, stillcontained living pieces of cartilage.

John, who is also a consultantorthopaedic knee and sportssurgeon at the University Hospitalof Wales, added: “Through acombination of work at Uwic andCardiff University, we havediscovered these cells can regrowthe surface that was lost.

“We now know that it is possiblethat joints which are wearing awayhave the potential to recover. Thisis the first time that we haveshown that a knee can do this.”

Instead of growing these cells in alaboratory and implanting themback into the knee, it is thought

that the joint will be able to re-heal itself, provided that the bonesand muscles are properly aligned.

He added: “We have been able tolook at the muscles and haveshown that the problems seem tostart with the way that the bonesare angled.

“The object of the research thatwe are undertaking is to show thatthese cells can regrow if we canalter the environment in the knee.

“We are now aware howimportant the muscles and thebone angles are in the wearingprocess of the knee; hopefully wecan now show that we canresurface the knee by altering theangle of the bone.

Surgery to replace worn-out joints couldbecome a thing of the past following adiscovery by two professors in Wales. DominicMusgrave found out more.

Professorsreveal kneescan healthemselves

John Fairclough

A TECHNIQUE which is beingsuccessfully used to return horseswith tendon injuries to top levels ofperformance is going to be trialled inhumans.

The pioneering stem cell treatment,developed by VetCell Bioscience inCambridge, has been so successful inhorses it will now be trialled onhumans with similar injuries by ateam led by Dr David Glover, formermedical director of CambridgeAntibody Technologies, professorNicola Maffulli, one of the most well-known sports medicine andorthopaedic consultants in the UKand Roger Smith, professor of equineorthopaedics at The Royal VeterinaryCollege.

In tests on more than 1,500 horseswith tendon problems, half were lesslikely to re-injure themselves over athree-year period if their tendonswere injected with stem cells, asopposed to receiving onlyconventional treatments — like box

rest, icing and anti-inflammatorydrugs.

Nicola said: “The move from clinicalveterinary to human medicine isinspiring and unusual; we normallysee the translation happening theother way around.

“I am very excited to be involved inthe human studies and hope that theresults will herald a new era in thetreatment of musculoskeletal softtissue injuries.

“At present the management ofhuman tendinopathy is more an artthan a science but this approachcould potentially reverse thatsituation.”

It is anticipated that the initial pilot study, which is planned to start within 12 months, will focus on the treatment of Achilles injuries.

A larger trial, involving severalcentres across Europe, is planned for2011.

Horse treatment to be trialled on humans

Nicola Maffulli

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US soldier inprostheticworld firstBy Dominic Musgrave

AN American soldier who had bothlegs amputated following anaccident in Iraq has been fitted withthe world’s first commercially readyprosthetic knees.

Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson wasserving in Baghdad in May 2007when the truck he was riding in wasstruck by a bomb, leaving him onthe side of the road bleeding and inand out of consciousness. Ten dayslater he was at Walter Reed ArmyMedical Center with both legsamputated.

He has now been fitted with thesecond generation of Ossur’s PowerKnee - the first technology to usesensors, power, artificial intelligenceand actuators to provide amputeeswith the ability to walk naturally andsafely without even thinking aboutit.

Greg said: “I didn’t know what toexpect. But the first time I put themon I thought, this is an engineeringwin.

“When you are wearing a passive(unpowered) prosthetic, you have tokick that leg out and you're listeningor feeling for a secure lockout beforeyou put that foot down.

“This is much more natural. Youknow that whatever position theleg's in, whether it's in or lockedout, it's going to be stable. That

really gives you a more naturalmotion."

Used mostly within the Departmentof Defense and the VeteransHealthcare Administration, the PowerKnee marked a new milestone inamputee mobility, safety andadvancing natural motion through apowered gait process when it wasfirst launched.

Three years later, working closelywith the Walter Reed Army MedicalCenter (WRAMC), the nextgeneration has been developed,which is now smaller, sleeker,quieter, lighter and even moreintelligent than before.

Hilmar Janusson, vice president ofresearch and development for Ossur,added: “Ossur is committed to themen and women of the armedforces to provide them with the mostadvanced technology available.“Their sacrifice and dedication totheir country has inspired us to workeven harder to optimise theirmobility.”

“The result will be that the entireamputee population will eventuallyrealise a more natural and safe formof walking.”

The second generation is now inearly commercial release at WalterReed Army Medical Center. A fullcommercial release is expected by2010.

New modern wet roomsbenefit orthopaedic patientsORTHOPAEDIC patients at WestSuffolk Hospital are benefiting aftertheir ward's bathrooms werereplaced with modern, easilyaccessible wet rooms.

The two separate male and femalewet rooms allow patients to walk straight in and can be used by people with any type ofdisability.

It comes after frontline hospital staffwere encouraged to suggest ways in which £100,000 could be spent to improve everyday life at thehospital during a Staff Conversationevent.

Tracey Oats, matron for surgery at the hospital, said: “The new wetrooms have been built to an

extremely high standard and are easyfor everyone to access.

“As well as providing our patientswith the best possible facilities, theirdesign makes them easy to clean,which in turn supports our ongoingwork to control and preventinfection.

“Feedback from patients so far hasbeen extremely positive – especiallyfrom those with mobility problems,who find the wet rooms much easier to use than traditionalbathrooms.”

The new wet rooms were one of a number of projects broughtforward as a result of the StaffConversation, which took place lastsummer.

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THE brain-computer interface (BCI)technology provides an innovativeway of controlling theinterconnected electronic devicesthat will populate the smart homesof the future, granting increasedfreedom to people with physicaldisabilities.

Christoph Guger, the CEO ofAustrian medical engineeringcompany g.tec that has developedthe application, said: “The BCI letspeople turn on lights, changechannels on the TV or open doorsjust by thinking about it,”

“It has a kitchen, bathroom, livingroom – everything a normal homewould have. People are able to move

through it just by thinking aboutwhere they wanted to go.”

The company teamed up with agroup of international universitiesand research institutes as part of theEU funded Presenccia project toincorporate its BCI technology intovirtual environments. As part of theproject a fully functioning smarthome was created in virtual reality.

Electroencephalogram equipment isused to monitor electrical activity in auser’s brain via electrodes attachedto their scalp.

After a period of training, the systemlearns to identify the distinctivepatterns of activity produced whenthey imagine walking forwards,

flicking on a light switch or turningup the radio.

The new technology could also helpamputees learn how to use aprosthetic limb, or allow peopleconfined to a wheelchair toexperience walking in virtual reality,as one experiment conducted by thePresenccia researchers showed.

Having been tested in virtual reality,g.tec’s smart home application willsoon be deployed in a real smarthome being built as part of theSM4all project, which has receivedfunding under the EU’s SeventhFramework Programme.

Project co-ordinator Mel Slateradded: “A virtual environment could

be used to train a disabled person tocontrol an electric wheelchairthrough a brain-computer interface.

“It is much safer for them to learn inVR than in the real world, wheremistakes could have physicalconsequences.”

One application developed by g.teclets people control a small robot withtheir thoughts, though the samesystem could easily be adapted tocontrol a wheelchair instead.

Four lights on a small box set toflicker at different frequenciesprovided the control mechanismusing a method known as SteadyState Visual Evoked Potentials(SSVEP).

Light switches, TV remotecontrols and even house keyscould become a thing of thepast thanks to technology thatlets users perform every daytasks with thoughts alone.Dominic Musgrave reports.

The new house being designed by g.tec

Performtasks bythoughtsalone ...

AN INDEPENDENT family-run firm of mobilityspecialists is looking forward to a brightfuture after relocating to bigger and betterpremises.

Dophin Mobility (East Midlands) Ltd hasmoved to a large consolidated site in Lincolnwhere it hopes to continue to expand.

The firm specialises in the supply,installation, maintenance and relocation ofstairlifts and other mobility products such as ramps and specially designed chairs.

In just eight years Dolphin Mobility (EastMidlands) Ltd has grown from just threeemployees to 15, and it now operates acrossLincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire,South Yorkshire and Hull.

Judith Hambrook, who became a director ofthe company in 2006 after the death of herhusband Steve, told Assistive Technologiesthe new premises will open up a range ofpossibilities for the firm.

She said: “Our new base is much bigger than our old premises, and it’sbrought everything together under one roof.

“At our old site we had three separateunits, but now all our staff are togetherwhich means improved efficiency, bettercommunication and a real boost for staffmorale.

“We’re certainly getting a lot of positivecomments from people and our visitors arereally noticing the difference in quality whenthey come in.”

Judith says the larger premises will allow the company to supply a wider range of lifts and other products, andprovides an opportunity for the firm tobranch out into other areas such as mobility aids, adaptations and bathroomequipment.

She added: “We’ve been looking for newpremises for four or five years and thislocation is perfect.

“We wanted to be to the south of the cityon a main road with passing traffic butwhere there is also easy access for peoplewith mobility difficulties.”

“Our aim is to improve people’s quality oflife and help them to remain in their ownhome for as long as possible.”

Bright future as family firm moves to bigger premises

Dolphin Mobility (East Midlands) directors Michael Hambrook andJudith Hambrook.

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By Mary Ferguson

THE winners of last year’s BHTAawards have revealed to AssistiveTechnologies how the accolade hasaffected their businesses.As nominations open for the 2009ceremony, Barbara McCallum ofAlbion Mobility – who picked upthe Mobility award – said the winhas given people more faith in thecompany. She said: “Winning theaward had a big effect on ourbusiness. People are more keen tocome to us because they see wehave won a prestigious award.“We have only been in businessjust over two years and are a smallcompany so it was quite a coup forus to win.“I think it gives hope to othersmall, young businesses out there

that it’s not just the big companiesthat can win the big awards.”Bob Watts, managing director ofDorset Orthopaedic, claims theirwin in the Prosthetics category wasthe highest accolade they couldget, because it was voted for bycustomers. He said: “The BHTAaward has made us look at how wedeliver our service and to focus on

where our customers are findingthe link to us. Is it from magazinessuch as Assistive Technologies? Oris it from our web site? The awardhas helped us to analyse and focusour marketing efforts.”Remploy Healthcare received theOrthotics award and Chris Ford saiddisplaying the award on their standat BAPO helped them raise their

profile and attract more visitors –resulting in a record number ofenquiries from the show.“We had won the Mobility awardfor the last three years so it was areally pleasant surprise to win theOrthotics award last year. This year,we would love to win bothcategories.”Bob added: “We did not expect towin last year so we are certainly notexpecting another win. If ourcustomers vote for us again thenwe will be grateful for theircontinued support and regard it asan endorsement of our continuedefforts to improve our prostheticservices.”Careflex were the winners of theRehabilitation award at last year’sceremony.

ASSISTIVE Technologies magazine isonce again searching for the com-panies that have gone that extramile in providing excellent serviceand innovation in the last year.The Excellence Awards, open toeverybody, recognise companies infour main categories: Mobility,Rehabilitation, Prosthetic andOrthotic. Entries for the Mobilityaward include any supplier of pow-

ered or manual wheelchairs, scoot-ers, walking aid or any other prod-uct to aid and assist mobility.The Prosthetic and Orthotic awardsare given to any product manufac-turer or supplier who professionalswithin the industry believe hasdemonstrated either unrivalled cus-tomer service or product develop-ment.The Rehabilitation award will

include suppliers across the broadrange of equipment available forpeople with special physical needs.Readers have until Friday, July 24 toget their nominations in, and a peri-od of voting will then follow whichwill decided who picks up one ofthe coveted trophies at the annualawards ceremony in December.You can vote by either texting07825 264211, stating your name,

position and contact number oremail plus the category and nameof the company for nomination(texts will be charged at your serv-ice provider’s standard rate).You can also follow the instructionson the website www.assistivetech-nologies.co.uk or by completing theform on Page 8 and sending it toAssistive Technologies, 47 ChurchStreet, Barnsley, S70 2AS.

Award search for companies that go the extra mile ...

Win gives people ‘more faith in company’RemployHealthcare’s SteveJones and RobertMacKenzie Smithreceive theOrthotics awardfrom Marc Woodsand AngelaRippon.

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By Dominic Musgrave

LANCASHIRE County Cricket Clubbatsman Mal Loye and Salford CityReds rugby league player Willie Talauhave launched a £1.5m partnershipbetween the University of Salfordand a global foot company.

The sportsmen demonstrated theUniversity’s cutting-edge podiatryresearch to highlight its three-yearresearch and innovation partnershipwith Scholl – which is owned byManchester-based healthcarecompany SSL International.

The foot-themed event officiallylaunched the collaboration – calledFeet Matter – which will enable theuniversity to work towards its goal of

being the world’s number one foothealth and well-being education andresearch centre.

Feet Matter will include numerouskey areas of partnership, includingknowledge investment, research andinnovation, and new productdevelopment – all with a potentialglobal impact on foot health.

Following a donation by SSL, theproject will include a team from theUniversity’s School of Health CareProfessions working with foot healthspecialists at Sri Ramachandra Clinicin Chennai to improve foot healthcare assessment and treatment.

Head of the school of health careprofessions, professor Sue Braid,

said: “I am extremely proud that wehave been able to secure thisprestigious partnership with SSL.

“The benefits for both partners willbe evident at local, national andinternational levels. Through ourcollaboration on this initiative inIndia, we hope to raise awareness ofproblems relating to foot health, andimprove education and specialisttraining in that area.”

During the launch cricketer Mal hadan impression taken of his foot inthe hi-tech new podiatry clinic, andwas later presented with a plastercast replica, while Williedemonstrated the University’sbiomechanical foot pressure analysistechnology.

Best foot forward for sports stars

Complexknee surgerydone in a dayCOMPLEX knee surgery can be donein a day at the hospital in Eastbourne.

Patients needing reconstruction of theanterior cruciate ligament canundergo the most advanced surgicaltechniques but be discharged to gohome on the same day as theiroperation.

Tearing of the ACL is a common injurysuffered by sportspeople, particularlyfootballers and skiers.

Medical advances mean tendons fromthe hamstring can be used toreconstruct the knee ligament,providing a stable knee andpreventing secondary damage to thejoint.

The first patient to be dischargedwithin a day of the operation was DrDavid Lipscomb, a consultantendocrinologist at East SussexHospitals Trust.

He left the hospital seven hours afterorthopaedic surgeon Sam Rajaratnamhad operated on him.

Dr Lipscomb said: “I am very pleasedwith how it all went – I wasexpecting much more discomfort thanI have had.

“The multidisciplinary team has beentop class."

Lancashirecricketer MelLoye with theimpression takenof his foot.

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OSSUR, the manufacturers of theFlex Run feet that Ellie now uses,had them specially made becausethey had never made them forsomeone so young before.

Bob said: “Ellie had been comingto us for a while and it was on one‘check up’ visit when Paul, Ellie’sdad said that she had somethingto ask me.

“So we all sat down and listenedto what she had to say. Afterfinishing her second cup of hotchocolate she turned to me andsaid, ‘I would like some feet that Ican run in’.

“Well we like a challenge here so Iphoned Paul Jamieson of Ossur UKand asked if the company wouldmake an exception and producesome tiny blades for Ellie.”

At the age of 16 months, Ellie losther arms and legs to meningitisand Paul convinced his bosses inIceland that her story anddetermination was justificationenough for a pair of tiny runningfeet to be specially made.

Bob said the biggest challengewhen fitting a child so young iscompliance. “It can be hard to getthem to appreciate that if they sitstill during casting then a muchmore comfortable socket can bedeveloped.

“But young children don’tnecessarily understand this and sofor the prosthetist it is a balancebetween ensuring that the child ishaving fun and an interesting timeagainst getting the job done.

“But Ellie has always been one of

those children who cooperates andthat made the job so much morestraightforward and accurate.”

Ellie had specially made bright pinksockets and now uses the feet torun around with her sisters.

Dorset Orthopaedic have fitted anumber of bilateral transfemoralchildren with Flex Run feet andBob said it enables them to walkmuch faster and with less effortthan conventional feet.

He added: “I hope that morechildren will be given theopportunity to try the feet and ifwe get the chance to fit them herethen that’s great. We relish theopportunity to increase ourexperience further with cuttingedge prosthetics.”

When five-year-old Ellie Challis had running feet fitted, she madehistory for being the youngest ever amputee to use the technology.Mary Ferguson spoke to Bob Watts, managing director of DorsetOrthopaedics – who fitted the feet – about what the project meantto them.

Top: Ellie Challis and, above, Ellie with her sister.Pictures: www.worldwidefeatures.com

How young Ellieran into thehistory books ...

Bob Watts

Sustained improvement for total knee replacement patients – studyKNEE osteoarthritis patients whoundergo total knee replacementsurgery have sustained improvementsin their condition for more than five years, a new study hasclaimed.Total knee replacement surgery isoffered as an option to patientswhose day-to-day functioning isseriously affected by the condition,and is performed on more than65,000 patients in the UK each year.Researchers led by Professor Cyrus

Cooper of the MRC EpidemiologyResource Centre have nowattempted to "assess long-termoutcome and predictors ofprognosis" for patients undergoingthe surgery. They studied the outcomes of totalknee replacement procedures onmore than 300 patients andcompared their findings to a similarnumber who did not go throughknee replacement surgery.Data on age, sex, body mass index

and progression was also gatheredfrom both groups and compared. Cyrus said: “Results revealed that thepatients who underwent total kneereplacement had better physicalfunction than patients who did not.“The improvement in physicalfunction tended to be greater inpatients with more severeradiological disease of the knee, andwas less in those who reported painat other joint sites at the beginningof the study.

"Improvements in physical functionfollowing total knee arthoplasty forosteoarthritis are sustained beyondfive years." A spokesman for the ArthritisResearch Campaign, which fundsresearch into improving kneereplacement surgical techniques andmaterials, added: "Knee replacementis not perfect but can improve thequality of life for many people withsevere knee OA, particularly inreducing pain."

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ENGINEERS in America and Englandhave built a new tissue scaffold thatcan stimulate bone and cartilagegrowth when transplanted into theknees and other joints.

And the two-layer technology couldoffer a potential new treatment forsports injuries and other cartilagedamage, such as arthritis, accordingto Lorna Gibson, from theMassachusetts Institute ofTechnology, who has worked on theproject with professor WilliamBonfield from Cambridge University.

One layer mimics bone and onemimics cartilage. When implantedinto a joint, the scaffold canstimulate stem cells in the bonemarrow to produce new bone andcartilage. The technology is currentlylimited to small defects, using

scaffolds roughly 8mm in diameter.

The researchers demonstrated thescaffold's effectiveness in a 16-weekstudy involving goats. In that study,the scaffold successfully stimulatedbone and cartilage growth afterbeing implanted in the animals’knees.

Lorna said: "If someone had adamaged region in the cartilage, youcould remove the cartilage and thebone below it and put our scaffold inthe hole.

"We tried to design it so it's similarto the transition in the body. That'sone of the unique things about it."

The project began when the teamdecided to build a scaffold for bonegrowth. The team decided to try tocreate a two-layer scaffold to

regenerate both bone and cartilage.Their method produces two layerswith a gradual transition betweenthe bone and cartilage layers.

Lorna added: “There are currently afew different ways to treat cartilageinjuries, including stimulating thebone marrow to release stem cells bydrilling a hole through the cartilageinto the bone; transplanting cartilageand the underlying bone fromanother, less highly loaded part ofthe joint; or removing cartilage cellsfrom the body, stimulating them togrow in the lab and re-implantingthem.

“The new scaffold could offer amore effective, less expensive, easierand less painful substitute for thosetherapies.” Lorna Gibson

Tissue scaffold can stimulate growth – engineers

By Dominic Musgrave

A GEL cushion originally created forthe first-ever prosthetic dolphin tailis being used to help protecthuman bones.

The tail was developed by KevinCarroll at Hanger Prosthetics andOrthotics for Winter, an Atlanticbottlenose dolphin after she wasstranded near Cape Canaveral inDecember 2005 after being caughtin a crab trap when she was justthree months old.

Winter’s tail fluke eventually cameoff and needed an extra-sensitivecushion beneath the prosthetic,and the gel liner he used to makethe tail has been adapted forhuman amputees with severe skinsensitivities and irritations.

Kevin told Assistive Technologiesthat creating the tail was moredifficult and took a lot longer thanhe had anticipated.

He added: “I first heard aboutWinter on the news and felt reallysorry for her. I immediately rungthe aquarium and told them I could

help and could make a prosthetictail..

“At first I think the woman on theother end of the phone thought Iwas a prankster, but the followingday I headed down to look at herand felt I could still do it.

“A lot of people said it wasimpossible and full of problems,but I still felt it was something Icould do so took on the project.”

Casts are used to monitor Winter'sgrowth and body shape. The castsare also able to provide the mouldfor Winter's new prosthetics.

Kevin added that the differencebetween dolphin and human skin isthat a simple scratch that may lasta couple of days on a human maytake weeks to heal on a dolphin.

“We developed a gel to protect thedolphin and also provide suction tohold the tail in place when weattached. Since word has got outabout it we have had numerouscalls from humans asking wherethey could get it for their limbs toavoid irritation. The project to save

Winter has given something back,and we have helped so manypeople. One little girl withmeningitis got in touch to say that

her limbs were so painful when sheput them on that she couldn'twalk. Since using the gel she hasstarted walking again."

Winter

Dolphin gel cushion helpsprotect human bones

Kevin Carroll

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Bid to reduce trainee injuriesRS SCAN Lab has taken part in aresearch project to try and reducelower limb injuries in armed servicestrainees.The aim of the study, believed to bethe first of its kind, was to determinewhether the company's D3D orthoticreduced injuries in 400 participantscaused by running.Technical director Ian Walker said:"The system works by measuringvertical force over a number ofsensors, which allows the pressure tobe calculated knowing the area thatthe force is being applied over. Thesystem then measures the verticalforce that is applied by the body

through the foot to the groundduring the stance phase."By dividing the contact into differentfoot zones, the system looked atmaximum pressures and forcesapplied in different areas, and thetiming of the application of theforce.This allowed a detailed analysis ofwhen and where force is appliedduring the stance phase. The D3Dsoftware could then highlight wherean imbalance was, and what couldbe used to correct this.Ian added: "The findings were thatthe system could predict injury andreduce it."

‘Rollercoaster’conference in BlackpoolTHE 10th annual NAEPconference takes place at theNorbreck Castle Hotel inBlackpool from June 16-18.This year’s theme is TheEquipment Rollercoaster are youAboard? and is targeted at allindividuals who work in thehealth, social care or voluntarysector and are involved inequipment commissioning,assessment, supply, loan andprocurement within communityequipment and wheelchairservices.The event launches with achampagne reception in theexhibition hall, which will includethe innovative productshowcase, a new addition for2009.Highlights of the conferenceinclude talks from professorHeinz Wolff talk on “TheEquipment Rollercoaster”, arepresentative from Help forHeroes, the NAEP nominatedcharity for 2009, and OliviaButterworth of the Third SectorPartnerships Team.

New websitePROSTHETIC, orthotic, assistivetechnology and medical IT solutionsprovider RSL Steeper has launched itsnew website.As well as regular news update, thenew site features clear navigation toeach of the company’s four operatingdivisions: Prosthetics, Orthotics,Assistive Technology and Meditech. Ithas also been designed to beinformative for patients, healthprofessionals and healthcareproviders. The company’s CEO Dr GarySheard said: “The new website hasbeen designed as a one-stop shop forall our customers. With clearnavigation, it has never been easierto find out more about all of ourprofessional clinical services andcomprehensive product ranges.“We have included plenty of materialto support patients, with sectionsdesigned to help them understandthe rehabilitation process andcommon terminology used within theindustry, as well as a range ofproduct and service brochuresavailable for download.”

Additionsto portfolioTRULIFE has introduced of OngoingCare Solutions Inc’s (OCSI) range oforthopaedic products to its alreadyextensive portfolio.

The range boasts an array oforthopaedic solutions usinginnovative materials, from ‘Bend toFit’ WHFO’s for contracturemanagement, air inflatable kneebraces and static and dynamicsplints.

Richard Nace, president of OCSI,said: “Trulife has an excellentreputation in the orthotic industryworldwide. We see the OCSIproducts complementing Trulife’sexisting breadth of orthotics offeringan even broader array of clinicallyeffective solutions to Trulifecustomers.”

The range includes the new P.O.Pknee brace designed to protect,support the knee, alleviate pain andrehabilitate the musculature of theleg, pre or post injury or surgerywhile the patient simply wears thedevice.

COVENTRY University's Health Designand Technology Institute (HDTI) hasopened its new Usability Research Suite.

Designed to assess innovativecommunity healthcare products andservices, the new facility offersorganisations the opportunity to testtheir ideas with expert panels of

patients and users of assistivetechnologies.

Led by healthcare professionals andacademics, this unique resource allowsclients to validate their innovations bysubjecting them to an academically-led,rigorous, independent assessment byqualified experts – the intended users.

New research suite opens at university

When did you become interestedin the industry and why?In 1992. I had been in sales andmarketing management in medicaldevices for many years, and thecompany I had been working for wasthe subject of a management buyout.I was genuinely relieved not be askedto join in, so, like so many before me,became a self-employed consultant.

How did your career in theindustry begin?After two anxious years I was lookingto rejoin the corporate world, andsaw an ad in the Daily Telegraph forcontracts manager at RemployHealthcare, Banbury.

How have you ended up whereyou are today?When my immediate boss at Remploy,John Barklamb, rejoined Camp Ortho-paedic he recruited me to their mark-eting department where I met KayPurnell (general manager of Trulife)and John Meadows (now owner ofG&M). John Meadows introduced meto Medistox owner Len Lloyd and Ijoined them in 2002. When Len setup Beagle in Blackburn last year I wasdelighted to become involved.

What's the biggest change you'veseen in the industry?I’m no longer involved, but I suspect

it’s the change inthe system ofcontracting fororthotic services.There was a lotwrong with the oldMHM50, and quitea lot of utilisationof schedules. Thereare good points with the presentsystem, but in the extreme, servicesuppliers are screwed down onsession costs without the opportunityto compensate by supply of product.It can also lead to a loss of continuityof treatment. Also, as many orthotistsof my age group are finding, jumpingfrom one company pension scheme toanother does not make for sybariticretirement packages.

If you could make onerecommendation to take theindustry forward what would itbe?Get involved in the detail.

What would you like to seehappen to the industry in thefuture?I would like to see more innovationinstead of all the ‘me-too’ productsthat are becoming readily available.Innovation can be something sosimple, yet completely brilliant.

Five minutes with … Graham Irons, business developmentmanager of Beagle Orthopaedic Ltd

Touch opensnew centreTOUCH Bionics has opened itsUK Centre of Excellence inLivingston, Scotland.

The centre offers full clinicalservices to upper limb amputees,and the service is tailored toeach individual’s needs,managed by the “Touch LifeTotal Care Program”, taking thewhole range of prostheticsolutions into account.

CEO Stuart Mead. “We areextremely pleased to havereached this stage and arelooking forward to welcomingclinical customers and theirfamilies and friends to our UKCentre of Excellence”.

HOMECRAFT Rolyan will consolidate itsnewly enlarged rehabilitation andhealthcare supplies business onto itspurpose-built site at Huthwaite, Sutton-in-Ashfield following the recentacquisition of Mobilis Healthcare.

It has also announced a £2millioninvestment in a new 20,000 sq ftwarehouse to house the increasedproduct inventory, augmenting theexisting 80,000 sq ft office and

distribution building, completed in May2006 at a cost of £7 million.

The acquisition is expected to create upto 50 new jobs at Huthwaite, which arebeing offered initially to employees atthe Mobilis site in Oldham, who chooseto relocate to the East Midlands.

The amalgamated business is set todouble in size from the present £45mcombined turnover.

Company to invest £2m in site

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A WHEELCHAIR controlled by thepower of thought has beendeveloped by academics in Spain.A research team of the University ofZaragoza has developed aprototype of a brain-actuatedwheelchair, designed for those withsevere disabilities who are unable touse a conventional joystick.During May 2008, five subjects –only using their thoughts –successfully carried navigation andmanoeuvrability tasks with thewheelchair in the university. A non-invasive method was used torecord the human neural activityand the wheelchair was robotisedand equipped with a laser sensor.When in operation, the user faces ascreen displaying a real-time virtual

reconstruction of the scenario andconcentrates on the location of thespace to reach. A visual stimulation process elicits

the neurological phenomenon andthe electroencephalogram (EEG)signal processing detects the targetlocation. This location is transferred to theautonomous navigation system thatdrives the wheelchair to the desiredlocation while avoiding collisionswith obstacles in the environmentdetected by the laser scanner.The prototype was validated withfive healthy participants and theoverall result was that they were allable to successfully operate thedevice. Dr. Javier Minguez, who led theteam that developed the chair, isnow working on a commercialversion that is easier to use.

PRIDE mobility’s newly-designedstand, complete with two privatemeeting rooms, received a warmwelcome at this year’s Naidex.There was also plenty of interest inthe company’s new product launches,which included three new additionsto the Colt family of scooters – XL8,Deluxe and Nine.Also on show were a new lift chair(LC-101), three newly-developedQuantum powerchairs (Athena,Artemis and 600 Sport), the latestcompact travel scooter, a newplatform lift system for liftingequipment into vehicles (BackpackerMV) and the introduction of theexciting user-friendly UK website,which goes live soon.

A 15-year-old student from a schoolin Ipswich won a special prize in thenational Ready Willing and Mobilecompetition that seeks bright ideasfrom young people to improve thelives of disabled people.Stuart Tredree, who attendsNorthgate High School, won theprize for the best entry by a youngperson with a disability, the awardsponsored by the Mouth and FootPainting Artists (MFPA) with the aimto encourage young disabled artists.His winning idea is the Solar

Charger, a sun charger for electricwheelchairs that utilises solarpanels.A full-time wheelchair user, Stuartconceived the idea after his battery“went down to two bars” on asunny day. He received his prizefrom Tom Yendell, an internationallyacclaimed mouth and foot paintingartist at the Mobility Roadshow atKemble airfield.Stuart's school was given £1,000worth of art and craft materials forhis efforts, with him receiving £250

of art and craft materials forhimself. He also met celebrityswimmer Sharron Davies, whoannounced the competition winnersfor the fifth Ready Willing andMobile competition organised bythe Mobility Roadshow.It seeks concepts from youngpeople – both disabled and non-disabled aged 7 to 16 years – thatwill help others with disabilities tobe more independent and join inmore at home, at school and atplay. Around 400 entries were

received this year from schools andclubs across the United Kingdom.The competition is organised andadministered by the charity MobilityChoice. This year’s event wasopened by Paralympian goldmedallist Danny Crate, and wasvisited by the Duchess of Gloucesteras well as wheelchair basketballplayer and television personality AdeAdepitan, former athlete DameTanni Grey-Thompson and tennisplayer Peter Norfolk.

Stuart comes up with a winning solar idea ...

Interest in launchesWheelchair ‘powered by thought’

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AFTER injuring his back playingrugby, Belfast-born Aziz Mahdithought his hopes of representing hiscountry were dashed.

But help was on hand from a fellowstudent at Manchester University,Dan Bishop, whose father Adrian ismanaging director at Langer UK inStaffordshire.

The medical footwear companystepped in to help by offering the 18year-old specially made orthoticdevices for his boxing boots.

After two weeks of wearing theinsoles, the cruiserweight is sufferingless with lower back pain and hasreturned to training for the EnglishUniversities Boxing Championships inDecember, where he is tipped to bescouted for the British Olympic

boxing team.

Adrian said: “Dan told me about anOlympic hopeful in his halls ofresidence who was a greatsportsman but had back problemswhich were hindering his training.

"As a company we supply manysportsmen and women with productswhich help enhance performanceand promote healing after injury.

“We were glad to put this youngboxer on the road to recovery,especially at this crucial time whenso much is hanging on selection forthe Olympics.”

Langer, based in Cheadle, specialisesin footwear products which promotea proper walking structure. As fewpeople have perfectly-matched legs

and feet, leading to unevenness inthe way they move, a defective gaitand posture is a common problem inall ages.

As well as treating tired legs andfoot pain, Langer's custom-madeorthotics help with ailments such asknee, hip and back pain.

The company is the main supplier oforthotics to the NHS. Demand for itsproducts has allowed the firm toexpand its workforce to more than40 people employed in factoryprocesses, sales and administrativetasks.

In March the company carried off aregional newspaper business awardfor Investing in People afterploughing major investment intostaff training.

An orthotics companyhas come to the rescueof a young boxer as hefights for a chance tocompete in the 2012Olympics. DominicMusgrave found outmore.

Langer UKmanaging directorAdrian Bishop,Olympic boxinghopeful Aziz Mahdiand universityfriend Dan Bishop.

Aziz gets a fighting chance

Wheelchairtennis boundfor NottinghamINVACARE Europe, in association withthe International Tennis Federation(ITF) and the Tennis Foundation, willhost the 2009 World Team Cup, thelargest team competition forwheelchair tennis.The competition will be held at theNottingham Tennis Centre from July27 to August 2. This year thecompetition celebrates its silveranniversary, making it a uniqueoccasion for all those involved.Often referred to as the Davis andFed Cups of wheelchair tennis, theInvacare World Team Cup tournamentbrings the elite wheelchair tennisplayers together to compete fornational pride in one of the world’spremium disability sport team events.

£4,000 raisedTHE OSSUR Academy staged thelatest in a series of sports medicineconferences at Cardiff University.Several speakers presented papersaimed at advancing the modernunderstanding of sports medicine ina scientific and research orientatedday. The day raised over £4,000 forthe Welsh Virtual Institute of Sport, acharity which provides a learningresource to sporting practitionersworking in the South Wales region.

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By Ruth Everard

IT is very easy to think thattechnology is a magic fix-it. Everyadvert will tell you that theproduct offered will make your lifeeasier, quicker or happier.

An advert could be seen ascommunication in itself, but truecommunication is both speakingand listening. What an advertcannot do is to take on boardwhat a particular consumer needs.

When it comes to assistivetechnology, the complexity ofwhat is available means that noadvert or sales literature can giveyou a fraction of the informationyou need for your own personalcircumstances.

Unless it is a very simple gadgetyou probably cannot afford to buyit in the hope it works – you mustknow before you commit to it.

To take advantage of any productyou see the next step is yours. Butwhat action will you take? You

will need to take control foryourself, investigating thepossibilities and exploring theoptions. Communication about aparticular product will need to beinitiated by you.

You will need to bring informationabout your objectives and needsto the conversation, so that thecompany will know which of theproduct's features and benefits arerelevant to you.

The best way to open a dialogueis by asking lots of questions; andthe company should ask youplenty too. Don't be afraid to starta conversation.

Both consumer or companyshould be free to end it, but makesure that you do so in the samespirit of communication: if youthink it is not right then explainwhy – that way if you havemisunderstood something youwon't miss out on what couldhave been great.

Finally, remember that a good

company will be looking to findthe very best thing for you – andthe way to achieve that iscommunication.

The people you speak to shouldlisten to your opinions and needs.

The way they relate to you is anindication of how the companyrelates to the users of its products,both in developing their productand looking after its existingcustomers.

True communication is bothspeaking and listening ...

Communication: It really is always the key

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G&M INTRODUCES THE HAWK LIGAMENT KNEE BRACE

THE prefabricated Hawk ligament knee bracecombines the benefits of rigid bracing protectionwith a new level of suspension, support andcomfort.

It features the patented Active Thigh Cuff (ATC)system, which accommodates soft tissue profilechanges during activity, providing optimumsuspension.

Strong and lightweight fibre reinforced compositeshells and steel hinges provide the strength andprotection needed by patients with deficient orrepaired ligaments.

The Hawk ligament knee brace is just one of newrange of knee braces available from G&M. Acustom OA, custom ligament, combined instabilityand contact sports knee braces are also available.

Enquiries: Contact 0121 475 1101 for moreinformation or a product demonstration oremail marketing@gilbert-mellish.co.uk

CASTING SAFETY STRIP

Baby/Infant helmet (One size fits 7 months – 2+ years 40-50cm)

Available in pink or blue Multi adjustable.

Constructed from soft foam and coveredwith Lycra/nylon

Fastens with elastic Velcro strap - £39.00

Scrum type helmet (Sizes S M L)

Available in black with rear laceadjustment.

Firm sponge covered with Lycra/nylon

Fastens with Velcro chin strap - £44.85

Toppen 77 (Sizes 46cm-59cm )Available in blue with red lining

Constructed from soft sponge covered with Lycra/nylon

Open sections on top of head for increased comfort

Fastens with under chin strap - £51.70

These helmets are not suitable for high risk activities, e.g. skateboard/cycling

Contact: For further information telephone 0161 747 8728 or email mggilligan@hotmail.com

A DYNAMIC SOLUTION FOR ADYNAMIC PROBLEMTHE SaeboStretch uses a revolutionary stretch technology which allows the fingers tomove through flexion caused by associated reactions and tonal/spasticity changes.

It also utilises a low-load,long-duration stretch toreturn the fingers to thedesired position. TheSaeboStretch overcomesissues which can resultfrom traditional splints,including deformity, jointdamage, hypermobility, andcontractures.

It includes threeinterchangeable hand pieces, each with a different grade of resistance. This featurefurther protects joints and allows the clinician the ability to customise to meet eachindividual’s specific needs. The liner is easily removable for routine cleaning.

The clinical target populations are stroke, head injury, incomplete spinal cord injury,cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.

Contact: Telephone 01707 33 69 69 or email ukinfo@saebo.com

BRACE USED FOR ‘KNOCK KNEE’ OR‘BOW LEG’ INSTABILITY OF THE KNEE

NEW from G&M the Flex Power Plus is a lightweight, off-the-shelf LO spinal brace.

The Flex Power Plusfeatures a patented‘Flexible Pulley System’that offers a 5:1compression ratio and isso easy to use that itcan be adjusted usingonly one finger, yetprovide powerful,smooth and easily-controlled compression.

The Flex Power Plusalso features patentedFlex Power Panels thatin combination with thebreathablematerial and single front fastening design comfortably contours andconforms to each patient’s body structure,

Enquiries: Contact 0121 475 1101 or emailmarketing@gilbertmellish.co.uk for more information or a productdemonstration.

CYBERTECH FLEX POWER PLUS NEW TO G&M

THE new Otto Bock Fit Kit is anideal tool to enable you to trialthe Walk On orthoses beforemaking a definitive purchase.

The kit comprises of two sizes (36and 41), both left and right, toenable you to fit patients for trialpurposes.

The Walk On is designed solely foruse on active patients withperoneal palsies and weakness ofdorsi-flexion of the foot orparalysis.

As a result of its anatomical design, and the use of carbon fibre compoundmaterial, the Walk On meets all requirements for higher walking speeds and loadcapacities. It supports dorsi-flexion of the foot and limits plantar-flexion in apassive, flexible manner.

Gait analysis studies have shown that, compared to other carbon orthoses withfrontal contact in the standing phase, the Walk On offers increased stability for theuser.

Contact: Telephone 0845 430 1231 or visit www.ottobock.co.uk

WALK ON WITH FIT KIT

THE TVS brace from St Clare Engineering is anorthosis for moderate valgus (knock knee) orvarus (bow leg) instability of the knee.

It is designed to hold a medially or laterallyunstable knee from moving into a painful posi-tion of deformity while the knee is in extensionand weight-bearing.

The brace is only effective when the wearer iswalking or standing, the leather sling helps pullsthe knee towards the telescopic tube and pre-vent the knee from sagging into the last fewpainful degrees of deformity.

The TVS Brace has been giving support and help-ing to relieve pain to patients with an arthritic condition of the knee for in excess of 20years, with more than 20,000 people having benefited from its use in the UK alone.

The brace is ultra-lightweight (200 grams/8oz) and can be put on or removed in seconds.

The TVS Brace is manufactured to the ISO 9002 quality system, CE marked and registeredwith the Medical Devices Agency.

Contact: Telephone 023 805 10770 for further information.

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