By Dominic Musgrave

A STUDENT who was inspired to help disabledpeople after his friend had a leg amputatedhas constructed an artificial limb whichfeatures changeable cover to reflect a person’smood.Nottingham Trent University undergraduateJonathan Bradshaw says his design, namedArray, will enable people to develop an affinitytowards prosthetic limbs as it allows them tochoose a cover to reflect their own style.The 23-year-old chose it for his major productdesign project after he became intrigued bythe fact that some amputees use wheelchairsrather than artificial legs as they can dislikehow they look. His old school friend, AmyBosley, who helped Jonathan with his research,had a leg amputated following an illness andalso chooses to use a wheelchair rather thanuse a prosthetic limb.Jonathan said: “There are so many reasonswhy people choose not to use prosthetic legs.From the research I have done, I've found thatappearance is just as important to youngerpeople as comfort and functionality.“It’s my aim to increase the amount of choicethat people have so that they can weardifferent covers for different occasions.

“For instance, people might like to havegraphics on their limb for a night out, or havea skin tone cover for a more formal occasion.Others might like to wear a colour whichmatches their clothes, while some may wantone with a leather finish.“Obviously not everyone would want to go forthis, but for some people it could really helpincrease their confidence. It’s a move towardsmaking prosthetic limbs much more consumer-orientated.”The prototype features a removable casingsystem which provides protection to theprosthetic leg’s internal components. Featuringaluminium brackets, the casing clips on andoff by hand and has a quick releasemechanism. The changeable covers areattached to the casing with press studs andthe quick release casing allows people tochange the covers with ease by preventing theneed to bend down.Amy added: “It gives amputees the option tobe individual and to change their legdepending on their mood; a bit like someonewould change their shoes to fit what theyfancy. The options available at the moment arelimited and so any development in prostheticswould be a bonus."

Design aims toboost wearers’confidence

Prince Harry has confirmed that he will be taking part in theWalking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge inNovember. He will be part of the Team Glenfiddich Britishteam made up of wounded service personnel with physicaland mental injuries that will race against their American,Australian and Canadian counterparts in the four-weekexpedition. His participation in this landmark Antarctic racewill mark his most active support of the charity to date. Tofind out more turn to page 8.

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE ISSUE 91 JUNE/JULY 2013 £6.95

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www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

By Dominic Musgrave

A FORMER police detective who wasinjured in action, resulting in theamputation of his left leg, is intraining to cycle 350 miles from Paristo London to support Help forHeroes.

In July 2006, Malcolm Hingle was on‘covert surveillance’ duty, followingsuspected drug dealers undercoveron his motorbike when a car collidedwith him, severely dislocating hisknee and fracturing his arm.

Malcolm’s left leg was eventuallyamputated above the knee in July2011 following 56 operations, whichforced him to retire from the forceafter 30 years’ service.

Since becoming an amputee, he isdetermined to give something back.Last October, Malcolm walked100km over six days in 38-degreeheat through the Jordan NationalPark, in Petra, in aid of Parkinson’sdisease.

His next venture is to complete the350-mile Big Battlefield Bike Ridefrom Paris to London. Cyclists ridefor six days, covering between 60and 90 miles daily throughsignificant WWI and WWII

battlefields. To complete thischallenge Malcolm was in need of adurable, comfortable socket to fit hisprosthetic, so he sought DorsetOrthopaedic’s expert advice.

Clinical director David Hills andMalcolm have worked together todesign a Comfort Fit® Sockettailormade for Malcolm’s bike.

Malcolm said: “It’s great that DorsetOrthopaedic can create bespoke

products. This socket will give memore comfort and I will be able tocycle for eight hours, without manysores.”

Over 100 wounded servicemen,women and veterans will start at theEiffel Tower and cross the finish lineat the Horse Guards Parade inLondon, after laying a wreath at theCenotaph.

Malcolm first attended DorsetOrthopaedic in October 2011, whereDavid acted as his expert witness inhis legal case.

He added: “David introduced me tothe Genium Microprocessor limbwhich is life-changing and has neverlet me down.

“Now I don’t have to concentrate oneveryday activities that people takefor granted, I can just get on withmy life.

“With other limbs I was like an OnlyFools and Horses sketch. I would fallover, off my prosthetic limb, and mywife would be looking for me likeTrigger and Del Boy.

“With the Genium I am secure andcan carry heavy weights, play golfand enjoy everyday activities likewalking around the supermarket.”

Wounded serviceman tacklesParis-London cycle challenge

Malcolm Hingle credit BNPS.CO.UK

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Claire Lomas with the London Eye in the background.

Marathon star Clairecompletes 400-milehandbike challengeBy Dominic Musgrave

FORMER event rider and fundraiserClaire Lomas has completed her nextbig fundraising challenge fromNottingham Trent University.

Claire, who lost the use of her legsafter a riding accident at Osbertonhorse trials in 2007, hand cycled 400miles in just over two weeks, raisingmore than £73,000 for SpinalResearch and the Nicholls SpinalInjury Foundation in the process.

Last year she became the firstparaplegic to complete the LondonMarathon on foot, spending 17 dayswalking with the aid of a bionic suit,raising £210,000 for charity in theprocess.

Claire added: “This has been thetoughest mental and physicalchallenge of my life, a lot harder thanlast year's London Marathon.

“I'm relieved to have finished but sograteful to everyone that has textdonated along the way, it's whatkept me going through the really

hard days.

“My cycle may be over but thesearch for a cure for paralysis isn't, soafter a few days of rest, I'll startplanning my next fundraisingchallenge."

Claire began her challenge from theUniversity's Newton building, on theCity site, and tackled the equivalentof a marathon a day on hercustomised hand bike, passingthrough more than 150 towns beforefinishing in London.

She also gave inspirational speechesat schools, universities andworkplaces along the route in orderto motivate others to fund raise too.

Claire added: “Over the course of mychallenge, I visited as many schoolsas possible to talk to the childrenabout the impact my spinal cordinjury has had on my life, how I havemanaged to rebuild my life and the16-day Marathon. I hoped toencourage them to believe inthemselves and set their ownpersonal goals.”

TELFORD’S longest-serving towncrier will provide an historicwelcome to visitors to the MobilityRoadshow, which this yearcelebrates its 30th anniversary.

Percy Simmonds, 90, will be joinedat the event by Falkland’s warveteran Simon Weston andParalympic Games sitting volleyballplayer Martine Wright, winner ofthe BBC Helen Rollason Awardseven years after surviving the 7/7bombings.

Cyclist Rik Waddon, who won asilver medal in the team sprint atleast year’s Paralympics, will also bevisiting the annual show.

He has recently won the Rudy

Project, one of the first steps goingforward for his Road to Rio 2016campaign.

Dave Sykes, award-winningparaplegic microlight pilot andadventurer, will be with the charityAerobility talking about his recordbreaking solo flight from Englandto Australia and his subsequentbook.

The Red Wheelies scooterformation display team, whichholds the Guinness World Recordfor ‘the greatest distance covered in24 hours by motorised wheelchairor mobility scooter’, will beperforming each day. The MobilityRoadshow is being held at Telfordfor the first time from June 27-29.

Crier to welcome visitors

Surgeon fits limbs madefrom plastic drainpipesto Syria war amputeesBy Dominic Musgrave

A SURGEON from Russells HallHospital has returned from war-tornSyria where he has been fittingartificial limbs made from plasticdrain pipes to lower limb amputees

Viquar Qurashi, an orthopaedicsurgeon for The Dudley Group, and ateam of doctors spent 10 days in arefugee camp in Reyhanli close to theTurkish Syrian border, mouldingprosthetic limbs and rubber feet formore than 114 amputees.

Helped by a team of six techniciansfrom Pakistan, Viquar worked in amakeshift clinic and workshophelping men, women and childrenwho lost limbs during the two-yearwar that has so far claimed 70,000lives.

A Turkish businessman donated thedrainpipes, which are melted downat high heat in an oven and mouldedagainst a plaster of paris cast of theamputated leg. They are then fittedinto place with metal pins andleather straps. The artificial feet aremade from recycled rubber.

Viquar said: “The limbs made fromdrainpipes are not as sophisticated asa western limb but a prosthetic limbcosting up to a £1,000 here in Britainwill be of little use to someone whodoesn’t have the money, technology

and tools to maintain it.

“We can make limbs from drainpipematerial for £30 and provide themfree to those in need.”

Viquar, who sits on the AssociateParliamentary Limb Loss Group, andhad his prosthesis tested forendurance here in England by theworld renowned research andtechnology centre SATRA, has fittedmore than 3,000 limbs over the pastseven years to amputees in his homecountry of Pakistan.

He travelled to Syria at the request ofthe Syrian British Medical Society andtwo Syrian colleagues at Russells HallHospital.

“All I need to fit prosthetic limbs arepipes, plaster of paris, nuts and bolts– and rubber to create feet,” Viquaradded. “A group of 10 volunteersand training technicians from Syriahave been selected to take up thisjob in future.”

In 2005, he set up the Naya QadamTrust, a non-profit organisation ofvolunteer overseas Pakistani doctors,which helps fund the artificial limbmaterials.

Viquar hopes to take the limbs toother countries such as Haiti,Somalia, Iraq and Afghanistan SriLanka, Cambodia and Vietnam.

DEBENHAMS has broken conventionby becoming the first high streetretailer in the UK to promote itslatest fashion collections by usingmodels in a diverse variety of ages,sizes and looks.

The imagery in the retailer’s ‘HighSummer Look Book’ includesamputee Kelly Knox, born withouther left forearm and discovered whenshe won TV show ‘Britain’s MissingNext Top Model’, and Paralympicathlete Stefanie Reid who won asilver medal in the F44 long jump lastyear.

Debenhams also worked withinclusivity campaigner and fashionindustry commentator Caryn Franklin.The aim both hope, is to furtherchallenge perceived norms of thefashion industry showing that abroader range of body and beautyideals is a good thing.

Ed Watson, director of PR forDebenhams, said: “Our customersare not the same shape or size so ourlatest look book celebrates thisdiversity.

We would be delighted if othersfollowed our lead. Hopefully theseshots will be a step, albeit a smallone, towards more people feelingmore comfortable about theirbodies.”

Amputees model forretailer’s new range

Stefanie Reid

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Bionic hand has poweredthumb rotation and appTOUCH Bionics has unveiled asignificant advance to itsgroundbreaking i-limb technology.

The i-limb ultra revolution, featuringa powered rotating thumb, 24 gripoptions and extra sensitive electrodes,is the first upper limb prosthesis thatcan be controlled via a mobileapplication.

“We are pleased to introduce the i-limb ultra revolution and the latestbiosim mobile control app,” said IanStevens, CEO of Touch Bionics. “Webelieve the i-limb ultra revolution,with powered thumb rotation andthe ability to quickly access multiplegrip patterns, offers unparalleleddexterity and control, enablingwearers to more easily performactivities of daily living and thusincrease their quality of life.”

The powered rotation of the thumbcan be either controlled directly bythe wearer’s muscle signals, or canmove automatically into position aspart of a pre-set grip pattern orgesture.

The new Quick Grips™ option from

the biosim mobile control app allowsthe user to automatically activate 24different grip patterns and gestureson their prosthesis with a single tapof the screen.

i-limb ultra revolution features:

� Powered rotating thumb andindividually articulating fingersoffering unparalleled dexterity andreliable access to precision grippatterns.

� New biosim mobile controlapplication compatible with latestApple® products gives the wearergreatly expanded control capabilityvia 24 Quick Grips each from a singlescreen tap.

� New remote electrodes offer ahigher level of sensitivity giving thewearer enhanced control.

� A variety of flexible wrist optionsenabling more natural positioning ofhand when gripping or picking upobjects.

� Aesthetic covering optionsavailable via the livingskin productline, including i-limb skin natural and

i-limb skin match covers customisedto match skin tone and appearance.

biosim mobile control app features:

� 24 Quick Grips – Instant access togrip patterns with a single screen tapgreatly expands prosthesis control.

� Favorites – Editable collections ofgrips customised for daily needs. Forexample, wearers can select the‘work’ favorite, which triggers the i-limb into preferred grips such astyping, holding papers, or using a

mouse.

� Hand Health Check – Activatesprosthesis diagnostic to ensure the i-limb is functioning properly.

� Training – Access training modesto help the wearer learn how toaccess all of the functionalityavailable.

� Compatibility – Available fordownload on Apple App Store andcompatible with several Appledevices.

Touch Bionics’ i-limb ultra revolution can be controlled by a mobile phone app.

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By Dominic Musgrave

AN exclusive licence to manufactureand market a revolutionary newseating system that could save theNHS hundreds of thousands ofpounds, has been granted toLifeScienceHub by the University ofUlster.

The Easi Seating System offers a newlevel of adjustability, comfort andutility for both patients andpurchasers.

The licence follows eight years ofresearch and development work byleading University of Ulsterrehabilitation scientists Dr AlisonPorter-Armstrong and Dr May Stinsonfrom the Institute of Nursing andHealth Research.

“Health care providers spendhundreds of thousands of pounds onbespoke seating every year,” said DrPorter-Armstrong. “But each chair isfitted to a single user.

“It is very rare that a specially-tailoredchair can be re-used once the originalpatient no longer requires it – andthat means a very expensive piece ofequipment becomes redundant.

“The new modular system we havedesigned will enable every aspect of

the chair to be individually adjustedto the user – and can be readjustedfor other users.

“That flexibility will mean a muchlonger useful life for the product,giving greater value to users and topurchasers.”

LifeScienceHub is an organisationwhich is dedicated to bringing newresearch-driven healthcare productsto market.

Declan Service of LifeScienceHubsaid: “Working with the OpenInnovation initiative of the Universityof Ulster has been a very positiveexperience.

“The Easi Seating System is a greatexample of the type of project thatcan be designed, manufactured andcommercialised in Northern Ireland.

“We hope this will be the start of asuccessful partnership taking projectswith global potential to market.”

The seating system is the firstproduct from the University's Schoolof Health Sciences to reach themarket, and Drs Porter-Armstrongand Stinson paid tribute to help theyhad had from the University's Officeof Innovation in steering the ideafrom the Jordanstown research labsto the healthcare marketplace.

University’s newseating systemcould save NHSthousands

University of Ulster senior lecturer in rehabilitation sciences Dr Alison Porter-Armstrongand occupational therapy lecturer Dr May Stinson with an Easi Seat.

Advert wins nationalprize for schoolgirlsTHREE schoolgirls have won anational competition after producinga marketing campaign to promotephysiotherapy as a career.

The pupils from St Catherine’sSchool, near Guildford in Surrey, wonthe England-wide ‘Step into the NHS’competition, run by NHS Careers,after they used interviews with twolocal physios as the basis for theircampaign.

They were asked to produce anadvertisement for an NHS job,targeted at their peers.

But the schoolgirls went one stepfurther and produced acomprehensive marketing campaign,including a mascot, website, Twitteraccount, and video advertisement.

CSP members Jen Longley and Erica

Morrison, who work at the RoyalSurrey County Hospital NHS Trust,were interviewed by the girls for thecompetition entry.

Jen said: “Young people areextremely important to the future ofthe NHS and it’s great to know thatstudents are aware of the wide rangeof opportunities that exist.

“I’m so pleased the students chose tofocus on a physiotherapist for theircompetition entry.”

The three girls – Annabel Dersy, KlaraInman-Barnes and Margarita Spektor– said they learned a lot about theday-to-day work of a physiotherapistduring the competition and wereseriously considering a job in the NHSwhen they left school. NHS Careerspresented them with the nationalprize of a laptop each.

Support workers helppatients move fromintensive careA PROJECT that has seen twophysiotherapy support workerposts created on a critical careward is having impressive results.

The scheme at University HospitalSouthampton involves two supportworkers being on hand in theintensive care unit to help getpatients moving sooner.

The early mobilisation projectstarted in April 2012 and the earlyresults are encouraging.

Patients are being seen byphysiotherapy staff an average of1.6 days after admission, downfrom an average of three dayspreviously.

And they receive an average of 26episodes of physiotherapy duringtheir stay on the unit, comparedwith just six before.

Meanwhile, overall ICU length ofstay has dropped from a mean of17.1 days to an average of 12.5days since the project started.

Nikki Collings, senior respiratoryphysiotherapist at the trust, saidthe early mobility team aimed toprovide intensive rehabilitation andexercise therapy for patients asearly as possible, and ‘regular’physio on the ward then continuedas normal.

She added: “With the support ofthe medical team, who managethe sedation, we can now providerehabilitation much quicker.

“The assistants' roles are quiteindependent, and they can work atbed level on their own – it’sworking really well.

“There are huge benefits to gettingpatients up and moving earlier, andwe can now try to get them doingsomething at the highest level theycan tolerate as soon as possible.”

Funding for the physiotherapysupport workers was initiallysecured for two years, but theyhave now been confirmed aspermanent posts.

TWO University of York researchershave been awarded EnterpriseFellowships to take their work indeveloping virtual-reality technologyfor health purposes into thecommercial sector.

Dr Adar Pelah is to launch a companyto commercialise his strokerehabilitation technology, while DrStephen Smith will focus on clinicallyvalidating the technology, which

includes algorithms to recognise andmonitor Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’sDisease, at medical centres in the UK,USA and Australia.

The fellowships from the RoyalAcademy of Engineering providefunding of up to £85,000 and willsupport the researchers to eachspend a year exclusively committedto developing a business based ontheir ideas.

Researchers awarded Fellowships

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The Team Glenfiddich team made up of Kate Philp, Ibrar Ali, Duncan Slater and GuyDisney at the official launch.

By Dominic Musgrave

PRINCE Harry will join the WalkingWith The Wounded South Pole AlliedChallenge squads in November.

Racing against their American,Australian and Canadiancounterparts, the British contingent –Team Glenfiddich – were present forPrince Harry’s announcement, whichwas streamed live around the worldfrom the Walking With TheWounded YouTube channel.

It followed the unveiling of the teammembers who have been selected totake part in the third majorexpedition to be organised by thecharity.

Alongside teams of wounded servicepersonnel with physical and mentalinjuries, Prince Harry will race acrossthe Antarctic plateau in a gruelling335km trek across the coldest, driestand highest desert on the planet.

While trekking around 15km to20km per day, the teams will bepulling their pulks (custom-builtAntarctic sledges) filled with essentialkit and supplies each weighing inexcess of 70kg.

He said: “These men and womenhave given their all in the cause offreedom, in our cause. That theyshould once again step into thebreach - this time facing down theextreme physical and mental

challenges of trekking to the SouthPole – just underlines theirremarkable qualities.

“It’s toughness of mind. Anunquenchable spirit that simplyrefuses to say ‘I am beaten’. In a wayit’s something that can’t be defined.You’ve either got it or you haven’t.”

Prince Harry went on to joke that hewould have a brew on ready for theother competitors when they joinedthe UK team at the Pole.

He has served as patron for both theNorth Pole and Everest expeditions in2011 and 2012 respectively.

His participation in this landmarkAntarctic race will mark his mostactive support of the charity to date.

The Team Glenfiddich team is madeup of below knee amputee KatePhilp, right arm amputee Ibrar Ali,double leg amputee Duncan Slaterand below knee amputee GuyDisney.

Conrad Dickson will be the teamguide and Richard Eyre the teammentor.

As well as Walking With TheWounded, the four-week expedition,which will be divided into managedstages and checkpoints, will also raisemoney for Soldier On from Canada,Soldiers to Summits from the UnitedStates and Soldier On from Australia.

Prince Harry tojoin UK’s SouthPole squad forexpedition

HELP for elderly and disabledpeople in north east Suffolk will beclose at hand with the opening ofa new Rehability store inHalesworth.

The company, run by occupationaltherapist Veronica Downing, willprovide a wide range of mobilityequipment, bathing and toiletingaids and small aids to daily livingfrom its new, easily accessiblepremises.

She said: “We are looking forwardto offering a service that is right inthe town centre, where it will beeasy for people who want help inmaintaining their independence tovisit us and see the wide range ofaids and equipment we haveavailable.”

Rehability will stock everythingfrom riser-recliner chairs, profilingbeds, powered wheelchairs,mobility scooters and bath lifters tosimple everyday items like supportcushions and continence pads.

And expert, professional advice willalways be on hand to ensure thatsolution is the right one.

Veronica added: “We have a teamof qualified occupational therapistsand trained staff who will provideguidance so that customers canhave the assurance that theproduct they are looking at is fullyappropriate to their needs.

“And if required, we can offer afull assessment in the privacy ofour own independent living centrejust two miles away in Chediston.”

New store opens in SuffolkThe Rehability store in Halesworth.

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Robot arm gives a helpinghand in global studyBy Dominic Musgrave

A ROBOT arm modelled on anelephant's trunk is helping a Sheffieldstudent in a global project to helppeople with restricted mobility tocarry out everyday tasks, such ashelping them to feed themselves.

Sheffield Hallam University PhDstudent Chinwe (Lucy) Ozoegwu willuse the £13,000 Robotino XT arm tocomplete her doctorate in industrialautomation and robotics.

The robot arm's capability for solvingtasks such as helping people withlimited mobility to feed themselveswill be one of the first pieces of workLucy will undertake.

The project will also see youngstersfrom the new University TechnicalCollege in Sheffield carrying out rolesas research assistants under Lucy'ssupervision, where they will use thearm as part of their AdvancedEngineering and Manufacturingcourses. Lucy, 30, and originally fromEnugu State, Nigeria, is the onlystudent in the UK to work on theglobal project devised by German

manufacturers Festo, workingalongside students from the USA andBrazil.

She said: “We plan to investigate anddevelop the capability of theRobotino XT as an autonomous self-adapting machine, where the robotwill learn from its own experience,without being restricted to pre-conceived routines.

“It should also be able to adapt thelearning to solving engineeringproblems. The initial problem we aimto solve is that of assistive feeding forpeople with limited movements intheir arms and cannot feedindependently. Once this has beeneffectively realised, it can then beeasily transferable to other tasks dueto the robot's autonomous and self-adapting behaviour.”

The Robotino XT can manoeuvrethrough 12 degrees in crampedspaces, while the flexibility of itsgripper arm allows direct human-machine contact. It opens up newforms of interaction between thehuman operator and technology.

Andrew Cropley, chair of the UTCSheffield Academy Trust, said: “This isa fantastic collaboration bringingtogether Sheffield Hallam and thenew UTC in a project led by amultinational business which hasglobal possibilities.

“Only a handful of institutions havethe opportunity to work on thisrobotic arm and it will be a fantasticaddition to the UTC's offer for 14 to19-year-olds.

“Lucy will lead the research projectwhile UTC students will act asresearch assistants – all of themexploring new possibilities which willhelp them develop their futurecareers.”

The UTC Sheffield, which opens inSeptember, will offer young peopleaged 14 to 19 academicqualifications and specialist skills forthe advanced engineering, and thecreative and digital industries sectors.

Lucy Ozoegwu with the robot arm.

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Jan Scheuermann feeds herself a bar of chocolate using the new robotic arm.

Mind-controlledrobot arm studyrecognised withTop 10 accoladeA GROUNDBREAKING projectunderway at the University ofPittsburgh School of Medicine andUPMC – in which a woman withquadriplegia took a bite of chocolateusing a robot arm she controlled withher thoughts – has been selected toreceive one of the Clinical ResearchForum’s Annual Top 10 ClinicalResearch Achievement Awards.

The awards recognise research teamsthat, in 2012, published compellingexamples of the scientific innovationthat results from the USA’sinvestment in clinical research thatcan benefit human health andwelfare, according to the ClinicalResearch Forum.

William F. Crowley Jr., MD, CRFfounder and past chairman anddirector of the Clinical ResearchProgram at Massachusetts GeneralHospital, said: “There’s never been amoment in the history of biologythat’s more optimistic for spectacularbreakthroughs to happen.

“However, it will require strategicinvestments at a most difficult time inour history. America is a world leaderin biomedical research and if we areto retain that leadership role globally,we have to continue making thesenational investments.”

Jennifer Collinger, PhD, assistant

professor, Department of PhysicalMedicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R),Pitt School of Medicine, researchscientist for the Pittsburgh VAHealthcare System, and lead authorof the brain computer interface studythat was published in Lancet inDecember, presented the Pitt/UPMCteam’s work during the CRF annualmeeting.

She said: “I’m thrilled that the CRFfound our project worthy of thisaward. The team, which includesparticipant Jan Scheuermann,believes that the hard work we aredoing now could one day helppeople with disabilities attain betterfunction and greater independence.

“This breakthrough will provideopportunities for paralysedindividuals to interact in meaningfulways with their environments byusing brain commands to controldexterous robotic prosthetic limbs,”said Steven Reis, MD, associate vicechancellor for clinical research, HealthSciences, and director of theUniversity of Pittsburgh Clinical andTranslational Science Institute, whonominated the project for awardconsideration. “Also, it serves as aparadigm for high-impacttranslational research conducted by amultidisciplinary team.”

Zimmer frame ID clipmaintains safetyA SIMPLE plastic identification clip isset to maintain the safety andindependence of people withdementia, Alzheimer’s and othermemory or communication impairingillnesses, across the UK.

Invented by senior care home carerAdeline Dalley, the Mediclipzidentification tag can be attached tothe handle of any mobility device,zimmer frame, walking stick andcrutch.

The hard to remove, waterproof tagcarries the contact numbers of theowner’s carers and their emergencymedical details, ensuring that if theydo become disorientated, lost orunwell when away from their homeenvironment, they can be assisted bythe general public or emergencyservices as appropriate.

Adeline said she hopes it will becomeas familiar as the medical alertsystems currently available for peoplewith critical medical conditions.

“The Mediclipz is a very simple idea,but a life changing one for many,”

she added. “For a person with amemory impairing illness it meansthat they can continue to liverelatively independently and enjoy agood quality of life with theassurance for themselves and theirfamily that if they were to becomeconfused or in need that help canquickly be at hand.”

The idea for the clip originated froma need to better label zimmer framesand walking sticks at care homes,day centres and hospitals.

“The standard way of labellingmobility devices is to use stickingtape,” added Adeline. “But the tapedeteriorates, resulting in the namebeing lost, not only creatingconfusion, but also a potential safetyconcern if a resident mistakenly usesa frame that is of the wrong height.”

Adeline has a patent pending for theMediclipz. The labels come in whiteor yellow, which is often the lastcolour that someone with dementiacan recognise. The clips also fit manybrands of scooters and bikes forchildren.

SHOPPERS in east Yorkshire swapped‘retail therapy’ for physiotherapy bytaking part in a series of exercisesessions on the street.

The energetic health promotionevents were led by a team of ‘streetphysios’ at Hull's St Stephen’sShopping Centre.

The events were a partnershipbetween Hull and East YorkshireHospitals NHS Trust service PhysioHulland other local health providersincluding City Health CarePartnership and Hull City Council’sleisure services.

Paul Seabourne, service manager forPhysioHull, said the street physiospromoted health and wellbeing topassers-by and offered health adviceon ‘anything from posture to

arthritis’.

He added: “The event went very wellwith over 150 participants, made upof a combination of shoppers and StStephen’s employees.

“We also made another 450-pluspeople aware of the benefits of earlyadvice and intervention.”

Following the success of the events,the team is planning other events. Ithopes to build a relationship withArco, a supplier of safety equipment,and one of Hull’s largest employers,to help to support workers andreduce absences linked tomusculoskeletal disorders.

The events marked the launch of‘Spring into Action’, a health andwell-being engagement initiativelaunched by PhysioHull.

Street physios easeshoppers’ pains

The ‘street physios’ in Hull.

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A COMPUTER model of the humanmusculoskeletal system is beingmapped out by researchers at theUniversity of Sheffield following a£6.7m grant that will lead topersonalised treatment for diseasessuch as osteoporosis, arthritis andback pain.

The five-year programme will seeexperts from the University ofSheffield’s INSIGNEO Institute for insilico (meaning via computersimulation) medicine, a joint initiativeof the University of Sheffield andSheffield Teaching Hospitals NHSFoundation Trust, create a newmodelling framework for the humanmusculoskeletal system.

The engineering-based model of anindividual patient’s musculoskeletalmakeup will be able to reducesoaring treatment costs for chronicbone disorders by predicting diseasedevelopment and enabling bettertreatment. It will simultaneouslycapture processes at a cellular scaleright up to the whole body.

Professor Damien Lacroix of theINSIGNEO Institute and theUniversity’s Department ofMechanical Engineering said: “Ourwork in building accurate computermodels of the human body that are

tailored to each individual’s anatomyand physiology means that everypatient receives treatment personallyoptimised to their detailedcircumstances.

“This leads to improved outcomes,faster recovery and, in almost allcases, lower costs. The new EPSRC-supported research programme isparticularly ground-breaking as itintegrates our modelling componentsacross the full range of scales usingnew techniques able to account forcurrently unobservable and uncertainvariables.

“The impact on healthcare could betremendous: total healthcareexpenditure in the UK has doubledfrom 2000-2010 to a staggering 10per cent of Gross Domestic Product,”added Professor Lacroix.

The £6.7m Frontier Engineering grantfrom the Engineering and PhysicalSciences Research Council (EPSRC) –awarded to the INSIGNEO Institute –will improve treatments for diseasesof the musculoskeletal system.

It is one of five Frontier Engineeringprojects receiving £25 million in totalannounced by the UK’s Minister forUniversities and Science DavidWilletts at the first Global GrandChallenges Summit in London.

System will leadto personalisedtreatment

The computer system will lead to personalised treatment.

Foundation chooses ReWalkfor first exoskeleton studyTHE Stoke Mandeville SpinalFoundation is set to become the firstUK spinal injuries centre to undertakea clinical study into exoskeletons.

Having chosen the ReWalk as theprimary exoskeleton for the study,the Foundation, in partnership withthe National Spinal Injuries Centre,will be evaluating the role ofexoskeletons for people with chronicSCI.

Once the objective benefits of using

exoskeletons have beendemonstrated in research, the NHSwill consider the use of exoskeletonsto enhance standards of care in thefuture.

As the exclusive suppliers of ReWalkin the UK and Ireland, CycloneTechnologies will provide primarytraining and engineering supportduring the study, with headphysiotherapist Matt White toprovide initial and ongoing training.

War veteran unveils newportrait bench in cityFORMER Royal Marine and doubleamputee Ben McBean unveiled thenew ‘Portrait Bench’ in Plymouth’sNorth Cross.

The bench, which has been installedas part of a makeover of the walkingand cycling facilities in the area,features three life-size figures chosenby the local community to celebratePlymouth’s history and culture –including Ben himself.

His figure represents Plymouth’sservicemen and women, who wonthe highest number of votes cast bypeople living and working in the city.It stands alongside figures of Scott ofthe Antarctic and Charles Darwin.

Ben, who lives in Plymouth, lost anarm and a leg after stepping on aTaliban landmine in Afghanistan, buthas overcome his horrific injuries toinspire others.

Not only is he now a successfulbusinessman, a sought-aftermotivational speaker and mediacommentator but he also pushes

himself to the physical limit, runningthe London Marathon just 12 monthsafter sustaining his injuries and laterclimbing to Everest Base Camp andcompleting the Three PeaksChallenge.

Councillor Philippa Davey, theCouncil’s cycling commissioner, said:“We’re really pleased that MarineMcBean unveiled the new PortraitBench, which pays tribute to histremendous bravery and that of allthe city’s servicemen and women.

“It’s great to see figures chosen bylocal people to represent Plymouthtaking pride of place in the new-lookNorth Cross.”

Funded by the Big Lottery Fund andPlymouth City Council, the PortraitBenches are part of a national projectfrom cycling charity Sustrans,creating new everyday walking andcycling routes in communities acrossthe UK. When complete there willbe a national collection of over 230portraits.

Patients wanted tocompare their carePHYSIOTHERAPISTS working withpatients who have asthma are beingurged to support a scheme that seeksto improve standards of care.

Asthma UK launched its ‘CompareYour Care’ campaign on WorldAsthma Day.

It wants patients to comment onstandards of care in their area byfilling in a simple online survey.

According to Asthma UK, peoplewith the condition face hugevariations in their risk of emergencyhospitalisation depending on wherethey live.

Figures show a 19-fold difference inchildren’s admission rates in England,with Liverpool having the highest

rates for children, and Tower Hamletsin east London having the lowest, thecharity says.

The National Institute for Health andCare Excellence introduced its firstquality standard for asthma careearlier this year and the CompareYour Care campaign is urging clinicalcommissioning groups to implementthe standard by 2016.

The online survey aims to find out ifpatients’ asthma care meets the NICEstandards. It will also help the charitydetermine whether hospitaladmission rates are linked todifferences in the care beingprovided.

A report on the results should bepublished in the autumn.

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Prosthetic hand wins majorinternational accoladePROSTHETIC specialist RSLSteeper hasreceived a major boost after its‘ground-breaking’ bebionic3 handwas awarded one of the industry’smost celebrated accolades at the daVinci Awards in Michigan.

The Leeds-based firm’s myo-electrichand, which enables users to tackleeveryday situations from eating mealsand carrying bags to tying shoe lacesor shaking a hand, was launched inSeptember 2012.

In a short time it has featured inmore than 125 separate news itemswith radio, press and TV coveragethroughout the world, and attractingsignificant export orders in the USA,Europe, Asia and Australasia.

The hand had been selected as oneof only 15 worldwide innovations tofeature at the annual awards, whichhave become a major internationalforum for the latest developments inadaptive and assistive technology.

RSLSteeper managing director PaulSteeper said: “This award is veryimportant to us. It celebrates peoplewho triumph over disabilities andrecognises those who have

developed new technologies toenable people to function at theirfullest.

“bebionic3 is the culmination ofmany years of development andwe’re very pleased with the results. Ithas been designed to help amputeestackle real-life situations and providesthe perfect balance betweenadvanced technology, functionalityand aesthetics. It has the potential torevolutionise the lives of amputeesacross the world, helping them toregain independence and control intheir everyday lives with the sameadvanced technology as much moreexpensive products. For this to berecognised by our peers means anawful lot.”

The finalists were chosen from entriesreceived from all over the world.These included a wearable roboticdevice that enables paraplegics towalk again, a drop-in rowing systemthat can be operated without the useof hands or arms, and a shoppingcart that enables disabled childrenand adults to shop with theirfamilies. User Nigel Ackland with the award-winning bebionic3 hand.

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THE Royal College of Physiciansbuilding in London’s Regents Parkprovided a unique backdrop as thevenue for the Pushing BoundariesRehabilitation Conference.

The conference, jointly organised byExchange Chambers, NewLawSolicitors and Pace Rehabilitation,provided the audience of barristers,solicitors, case managers, claimshandlers and prosthetic users withthe opportunity to learn and seedemonstrated some of very latestclinical services and prostheticadvances.

Delegates were welcomed to theconference by chairman Dr ErnestVan Ross, before prosthetic clinicalspecialist John Sullivan presented hisconsiderable experience of transfemoral osseointegration.

Accompanying John wasosseointegration patient GemmaTrotter, who shared her personalexperiences of the system thatprovides a direct attachment of aprosthesis in to the skeletal system.Her success and determination hasculminated in Gemma becoming theworld’s first above-the-knee amputeespinning instructor!

The subsequent presentation, by PaceRehabilitation clinicians Toby Carlsson(prosthetist/orthotist) and CarolynHirons (physiotherapist), pertained tothe increasing benefits and risingcosts of advancing prosthetictechnology.

Carolyn then introduced the audienceto 10 prosthetic ‘models’ who

demonstrated a wide variety of upperand lower limb prosthetic devices.Delegates had the opportunity duringthe breaks and lunch periods to meetthe prosthetic users and ask abouttheir ‘real life’ experiences and seethe prostheses being used ineveryday activities.

An international flavour was providedby representatives from BiOM, fromthe United States of America, whodemonstrated their bionic technologypower assisted ankle. The day beforethe conference, three below the kneeprosthetic users commenced a trialwith the BiOM device anddemonstrated the device at theconference.

The transatlantic company hope tolaunch the device later this year intothe UK and Europe.

Former RAF regiment sergeantDuncan Slater made a dramaticentrance into the event by abseilingfrom the rooftop of the building.

Expertly guided down, by Jim Bonney(Adventure Rehab), he made his firstabseil since being seriously injured inAfghanistan in 2009n.

With his prosthetic feet safely backon the ground, Duncan joined hisWalking With The Woundedcounterparts Ed Parker and GuyDisney to provide an inspiringpresentation about the charity’ssuccessful 2011 North Poleexpedition and their forthcomingSouth Pole Allied Challenge.

Having de-rigged his ropes from the

roof of the building, Jim followed theteam to provide the audience with apresentation about his rehabilitationorganisation, based on a militarymodel that offers civilian amputeesrehabilitation programmes in anadventure environment.

The conference was concluded by ajoint presentation from GerardMartin, GC of Exchange Chambers,and Robert Thomas from NewLawSolicitors, who provided a legalperspective on amputee claims andtheir case management.

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Latest prosthetic advances andclinical services showcased

Former RAF regiment sergeant Duncan Slater abseiling from the roof of the building.

Pic credit: Pace Rehabilitation & AJS Photographi.

Annual exhibition is a ‘resounding success’NAIDEX National has been heraldedas a success with more than 10,000visitors attending the three-dayevent at the NEC, Birmingham.

The UK’s largest event focused ondisability, homecare andrehabilitation closed its doorsfollowing a packed programme ofseminars, networking and productlaunches. Some 300 exhibitors andthe biggest speaker programme inthe show’s 37-year history drewvisitor numbers beyond theexpectations of show organiser i2iEvents Group.

Fiona Davies, event director, said:“Naidex National has again beenincredibly well received. The calibreof speakers and exhibitors and thevariety of products and innovationson show was fantastic. That’s whyNaidex National remains the numberone disability, homecare andrehabilitation event in the UK.”

The tone of success was set fromthe start by Team GB Paralympic

star-turned TV presenter AdeAdepitan.

Having delivered his openingaddress the wheelchair basketball

ace was seen launching theprototype Alber Twin wheelchairfrom Invacare. It was just one ofmany new technologies announced

onsite. Other innovations, someshowcased in the ‘Tomorrow’sWorld’ area, ranged from feedingdevices, beds, chairs, and bathroomand kitchen equipment to tworevolutionary apps: ‘Yecco whichhelps families, friends andhealthcare professionals create asocial network to support care, andCarePair which helps people findcarers in their region.

Among more than 100 speakerswas Kate Allatt who in aninspirational keynote speech on thefinal day spoke of her experiencefollowing a stroke, which left herparalysed by Locked In Syndrome,from which she made a fullrecovery.

Seminars on moving and handlingand Jacqueline Pattman’s talk on theaquatic physiotherapy approach torehabilitation proved popular.

Naidex Scotland will take place onSeptember 18 and 19 at the SECC,Glasgow.

Ade Adepitan officially opens Naidex National.

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Orthopaedic bracing designed and made for childrenMEDI UK is delighted to announcethe launch of a new andcomprehensive range of orthopaedicbraces called KIDZ.

This range of orthopaedic productsby medi are specifically designed withchildren in mind, providing them withcomfortable and easy to wearorthopaedic braces which are alsostylish, helping to improvecompliance and concordance.

KIDZ quality orthopaedic braces are

available for immediate next workingday delivery, which is also free ofcharge. All products come with amanufacturer’s guarantee free ofdefects.

KIDZ braces are available in 10different product options including:The Neck collar, Clavicle support, Armsling, Shoulder immobiliser, EpicoROM, Manumed wrist support, KneeImmobiliser, Knee ROM, Ankle braceand Walker boot, all of which come

in a range of sizes.

medi UK are synonymous withproduct quality, offering youryounger patients a full range oforthopaedic bracing products just forthem. medi, originating in Germany,is a family owned company.

We pride ourselves in manufacturingexcellent products; focused indelivering quality customer serviceand providing professional advice toall patients and clinicians.

JENX Ltd, one of the UK’s leadingmanufacturers of postural supportfurniture for disabled children, hasexpanded its management team withtwo new appointments.

Nikki Peacock is the firm’s newmarketing and communicationsmanager, with Howard Johnsonjoining as quality and health andsafety compliance manager.

Nikki’s remit will encompass helpingestablish Jenx as the leading providerof postural support products forchildren with special needs, throughthe development of a brand-drivencommunications strategy. This willinclude the delivery of consistentmessaging on quality, design andcustomer service across all areas ofthe business and to customers.

Having previously worked asmarketing and communicationsmanager at Meadowhall and head ofcustomer planning at Kaleidoscope,Nikki said: “This is a greatopportunity to work with a companythat has a real passion for itsproducts and belief in what it’s tryingto achieve.

“I’m now really looking forward tohelping the company achieve its fullpotential.”

Howard, who has previously workedin quality and health and safetycompliance roles for engineering andmanufacturing firms, will takeresponsibility for maintaining theimprovement of compliance andcustomer satisfaction at thecompany.

He added: “Jenx is clearly a companywhich takes real pride in thedifference it can make to people’slives – and I’m now looking forwardto supporting that in my new role.”

Catherine Jenkins, director and jointfounder of Jenx, said: “Nikki andHoward both have a wealth ofexperience and their appointmentssignal our intention to push Jenx onto the next level.

“Nikki’s background as a successfulbrand marketeer will play a huge rolein the way we communicate what wedo to our customers, while Howard’sexperience working in compliancewill also be a tremendous asset toour company.”

Double appointment atfurniture manufacturer

Nikki Peacock and Howard Johnson.

CHILDREN with severe disabilitiesliving in the remote Western Islesof Scotland can now fly to themainland for health appointments,thanks to the generosity of anairline.

Physiotherapy support workerDonna MacLeod read an articleabout a new specially-adaptedflight chair and approachedLoganair. The Scotland-based airlinehas bought two seats, costing£2,500 each.

In the past, many children couldnot travel as they were not allowedto sit on a parent’s knees, andcould not sit independently instandard plane seats.

The TravelChair, which allowschildren to sit with suitable posturalsupport systems, can be attachedto a standard seat

Donna said: “There are childrenwith complex disabilitiesthroughout the Western Isles whooften need to travel to mainlandhospitals for specialistappointments

“It is so much more convenient tobe able to travel by plane, ratherthan by road and ferry, which canbe a far more arduous journey for

families.

“I was determined to find out moreabout the chair, and if possible, toensure a TravelChair was purchasedfor the benefit of Western Isleschildren and their parents.”

Donna contacted the designengineer of TravelChair to establishthe cost of the products, andpossible timescales for ordering.She then contacted MarinaCampbell, the Loganair managerbased in Stornoway on the Isle ofLewis, and Graham Everett, headof service delivery, LoganairLimited, to establish whether aTravelChair could be purchased.

“Both Marina and Graham werevery supportive of the idea andcould see the benefits of theTravelChair for their customers,”added Donna. “I also spoke to anumber of parents who were veryexcited to learn of the possibility ofthis facility being availablethroughout the islands.”

One TravelChair is based inGlasgow for use for Western Islesclients, and the other is inAberdeen, for use in other remoteand rural areas, including Orkneyand Shetland.

Partnership enablesdisabled children totravel by aeroplane

A mannequin in the new TravelChair, with physiotherapy assistant Donna Macleodand Graham Everett, head of service delivery at Loganair Ltd.

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Always supportive EVERY position a child adopts has aneffect on their development andfunctional movement now and in thefuture.

Jenx’s Supine Standers supportdevelopment, provide comfort,improve bone density, aid digestionand above all, increase socialinteraction!

And the Supine 3 is a great exampleof this –a robust standing systemdesigned to provide unrivalledsupport and positioning for its users.

The Supine 1 & 2 cater for ages 1-11yrs, while the Supine 3 is perfectfor older children and adults –including stroke or head injurypatients too. Its neutral appearancemeans the user is the focus ofattention too, not the product.

Easy to use, easy to clean, easy tomaintain (made from hygienicpolyurethane that wipes clean anddries in seconds, allowing it to beused for multiple users), and withclever design features including fullyadjustable support pads and blocks,not to mention the ability to tilt tofully horizontal for hoisting transfers,the Jenx Supine Stander really is THEpractical solution for children andadults over a wide range of ages andconditions.

Call us now to book an assessment(quote Ref: AT01)

Enquiries: To find out how can Jenx helpyou, call us on 0114 285 6100,

email your thoughts to contact@jenx.comor visit www.jenx.com

FITTINGS for children have alwaysrepresented a major medicaltechnology challenge becausechildren have special requirements interms of functionality, flexibility andmobility.

This is why it is important to offer asystem that meets the individualneeds of various age groups whilesimultaneously preparing the childrenfor a future fitting with the systemfor adults.

The innovative 7.4 volt system forchildren achieves these objectives. Incombination with the Electric Hand2000, the MyolinoWrist 2000 andthe MyolinoSkin Natural glove, it usesmyoelectric components from theadult segment in order to establishthe foundation for a flowingtransition in the prosthetic fittingprocess. The 12K12 MovolinoArmFriction is the prefect complement tothe Ottobock portfolio for upper armfittings in children aged 3 to 5 years.

Explore the world with ottobock

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By Dominic Musgrave

OTTOBOCK, official technical serviceprovider for the Sochi 2014Paralympic Winter Games, hasconfirmed that 30 orthopaedictechnicians from across 11 countries,including three from the UnitedKingdom, will form its team.

It is expected that the technicians willconduct hundreds of repairs toequipment and completeapproximately 3,000 working hoursduring the Games, which take placefrom March 7-16.

The three British members of thetechnical service team are Ken Hurst,Rachel Neilson and Russell Pizzey. Allthree were part of Ottobock’s 80-strong technical service team thatsupported the London 2012Paralympic Summer Games.

“After experiencing London 2012,we are very excited to be part of thetechnical service team at the Sochi2014 Paralympic Winter Games,”said Ken, manager of OttobockAcademy UK. “We look forward tobringing all of that experience toRussia next March, as well as tacklingrepairs on very different equipment,such as the sledges used in ice sledgehockey.”

Two technical service workshops willbe set up during the Games, one ineach of the athletes’ villages, and will

open on March 1, one week beforethe opening ceremony.

On the opening day of competitionthree satellite workshops will beginoperating at the venues, togetherwith a mobile unit for flexiblesupport. Computer-controlledlogistics developed specifically for theLondon 2012 Paralympics will ensurereplacement parts are alwaysavailable in Sochi.

Following the Summer Games inLondon, the Sochi 2014 organisingcommittee gave Ottobock anexclusive contract for providing theservice at the Games in Russia.

“The Paralympics are an emotionalcommitment for us as well. TheGames are part of our DNA,” saidprofessor Hans Georg Näder, CEO ofOttobock.

A container of workshop equipment

and replacement parts will leaveOttobock’s headquarters inDuderstadt, Germany, later this yearand head for the Black Sea.

Representatives from Ottobock havealready visited Sochi to inspect areaswhere the workshops will be based.Ottobock will have just two daysbetween the Olympics and theParalympics next year to set up theworkshops in full.

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N Ottobock reveals its technicalservice team for Sochi Games

Ottobock technicians work on a wheelchair Credit: Giles Duley and Ottobock

SAFO helps teacherlead active lifestyleA SPORTS teacher who suffered aninjury over 10 years ago thatstopped him playing semi-professional sports continues tolead an active lifestyle thanks to aSAFO® from Dorset Orthopaedic.

In 2002, Neil Joisce was involved ina collision on his right knee whileplaying rugby that resulted invarious ligament, tendon and nervedamage.

Since the accident he has endurednine operations on his leg and oneon his back. His injuries haveresulted in ‘Drop Foot’ or ‘FootDrop’ whereby the muscles thatactively dorsiflex the ankle and foothave weakened, causing difficulty inlifting his foot up.

Neil received his newest SAFO(Silicone Ankle Foot Orthosis) fromthe Dorset Orthopaedic team inMarch. The award-winning orthosissupports the front of his leg downto the top of his foot. This helps

Neil lift his foot while his legswings during walking.

Neil now teaches physical educationat the Hampshire Collegiate Schoolnear Southampton, where heoriginally studied. He is also headof boys sports, personal socialhealth education and has mostrecently been promoted to head ofyear, to commence in September.

“The SAFO is vital for me to be ableto do my job effectively,” he said.“As a qualified sports teacher Ineed to be able to coach pupils,referee sports matches and stayactive and the SAFO lets me dothis.”

“The SAFO has given me back ahealthy everyday life. I can run, playgolf and walk my dog with theSAFO. I can also chase after myboys. Jack has got a new bike and Ican run alongside him while helearns how to ride as long as I puton my SAFO!”

Half the recommendedexercise can cut riskDOING just half the amount ofrecommended exercise can beenough to reduce the risk of seriousillness, research from the Departmentfor Health have found.

Professor Conrad Earnest andcolleagues studied patients withMetabolic Syndrome, a combinationof medical disorders that togetherincrease the risk of developingcardiovascular disease and diabetes.

The study was designed and carriedout in the United States to examinethe minimal threshold for exercisebenefits based on public physicalactivity guidelines.

The guidelines, which are very similarto those in the UK, recommend thatadults do at least two hours and 30minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity exercise, such as briskwalking, a week and musclestrengthening for two more days aweek.

People who took part in the trialwere split into groups and given doesset at 50 per cent, 100 per cent and150 per cent of the recommended

guidelines.

The study referred to criteria forMetabolic Syndrome set out in theNational Cholesterol EducationProgram, including waistcircumference and blood pressureand used an analytical techniquedeveloped by researchers at theCambridge Medical ResearchCouncil.

The results showed that thesemetabolic syndrome characteristicswere improved in those who did aslittle as 50 per cent of the guidelines.

Conrad said: “Our results show thatpeople can significantly improve theirMetabolic Syndrome risk at just halfthe dose of current exerciseguidelines, showing that even a littlereally goes a long way to improvinghealth. In essence, there’s really noreason not to do something active.”

“These finding show us that eventhose who do not enjoy physicalactivity can still make big differencesto their health by doing a smallamount.”

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Orthosis to aid cruciateligament recovery

The Xeleton will aid cruciate ligament recovery and provide early user mobilisation.

OTTOBOCK has launched a new rigidframe knee orthosis, the Xeleton, aswell as announcing a new look forthe international award-winningGenu Arexa.

Both orthoses offer specialised designto stabilise the knee joint followingcruciate ligament injuries and ensuresuccessful treatment outcomesthrough early mobilisation.

“Wearing knee orthoses in the earlypostoperative phase allows patientsto be mobilised sooner because theyperceive greater stability,” said DrSven Scheffler, a specialist inorthopaedics and traumatology. “Asa result, patients start trusting theirjoints sooner, which is critical for anearly return to work and everydayactivities.”

The Xeleton and Genu Arexa framesare made from a robust aluminiumalloy for a firm and slip-free fit,affording the user secure stability

during everyday activities.

The orthoses feature anatomicallyshaped tibia pads to prevent pressuremarks on the shin when under stressas well as preventing undesiredrotation of the device.

The Xeleton is available in bothstandard and long versions; the GenuArexa is equipped with auto-adaptiveplastic shells that conform to thecontours of the leg for wearercomfort. Both orthoses allow for theflexion and extension range ofmotion limits set by the specialist tobe adjusted quickly and withouttools, thanks to the innovative Click-2-Go system.

The width of the devices can also beadjusted tool-free by adding spacerrings, allowing them to adapt toaccommodate knee swelling.Furthermore, both of the orthosescan be easily adjusted to fit individualleg shapes.

Anatomical leads the waywith two new productsANATOMICAL Concepts (UK) Ltd hasexpanded its product range with theaddition of the YouBike® exercisebike and the Gloreha® handrehabilitation glove.

The YouBike®, developed in NewZealand allows the user to exercisevery early in the rehabilitation processeven when lying on a bed.

The innovative system extends theexercise possibilities for clients andcan also exercise arms and legs from

a wheelchair.

Gloreha® is allowing hand therapistsand specialists to deploy cost-effective and yet intensive handrehabilitation for their clients. Inneurological conditions, the uniqueglove design leaves the palm and armfree and is comfortable for patients.

The system’s feedback is designed toencourage neuroplasticity. Therapy isvery easy to setup through the touchscreen interface.

Reflexology reducesthe feelings of pain,new study findsBy Dominic Musgrave

REFLEXOLOGY may be as effective aspainkillers, according to a small studycarried out by the University ofPortsmouth.

Researchers found that people feltabout 40 per cent less pain, andwere able to stand pain for about 45per cent longer, when they usedreflexology as a method of painrelief.

This is the first time this widely usedtherapy has been scientifically testedas a treatment for acute pain,meaning it may be used tocomplement conventional drugtherapy in the treatment ofconditions associated with pain suchas osteoarthritis, backache andcancers.

The 15 participants attended twosessions, in which they were asked tosubmerge their hand in ice water. Inone of the sessions they were givenreflexology before they submergedtheir hand, and in the other sessionthey believed they were receivingpain relief from a TENS machine, thatwas not actually switched on.

Dr Carol Samuel, who is a trainedreflexologist and who carried out theexperimental procedures at theUniversity of Portsmouth as part ofher PhD, said: “As we predicted,reflexology decreased painsensations. It is likely that reflexologyworks in a similar manner to

acupuncture by causing the brain torelease chemicals that lessen painsignals.”

The researchers found that when theparticipants received reflexology priorto the session they were able to keeptheir hand in the ice water for longerbefore they felt pain, and that theycould also tolerate the pain for alonger period of time.

Dr Ivor Ebenezer, co-author of thestudy, said: “We are pleased withthese results. Although this is a smallstudy, we hope it will be the basis forfuture research into the use ofreflexology”

Reflexology is a complementarymedical approach, which worksalongside orthodox medicine, inwhich pressure may be applied toany body area but is commonly usedon either the feet or hands. In thisstudy reflexology was applied to thefeet.

Service users have theirsay on city’s services SERVICE users and carers of BradfordDistrict Care Trust’s podiatry serviceshad their say on the future of foothealth services.

The events provide an opportunityfor service users and carers to findout how they can get involved andhave their say.

Helen Kirk, podiatry team leader,said: “Service users and carers are atthe heart of our service. It’s importantthat they have their say as they canhelp shape the future of what we doincluding where and how we provideour services.

“We treat everyone from babies tothe elderly for a range of foot issues.From nail cutting to supplying insoleswhich can support, correct or preventa deformity, to carrying out annualdiabetes foot reviews, or even nailsurgery, we do a lot.

“This was the first time we have heldsuch an event so we don’t know

what the level of interest would be.Service users or carers might want toform a focus group or some maywant to attend podiatry teammeetings in the future. We’re opento ideas and finding the best ways ofworking together.”

The Trust provides foot healthservices across the Bradford, Airedaleand Craven District in residentialhomes, hospitals, community clinicsand in service users own homes.

Shahid Islam, Patient ExperienceManager, said: “Service users andtheir families know a great dealabout health services from the mostimportant end – service delivery. Weneed to use their feedback andexperiences to create and deliver ahigh quality service.”

Foot health experts attended theevents to give more informationabout the services on offer, takequestions and give top tips for goodfoot health.

Picture credit: Carol Samuel.

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By Laura West

ONE of the most important yet mostabused parts of the human body isthe foot. If your feet hurt it canaffect your entire physiology.

This should speak volumes and sayeverything needed to ensure thepublic think about their family’s feet,but sadly our desire for cheap, self-fitted footwear means we have tocontinually advise parents about theirchildren’s feet and the effectfootwear can have in the long term.

So what do we mean when we say‘ill-fitting shoes can affect our entirephysiology? It is quite a strongstatement, but true; it’s not just yourfeet that suffer from ill-fittingfootwear.

Think about it….if your feet hurtbecause your shoes slip or pinchwhen you walk, you shift yourweight and walk differently toalleviate and compensate for thepain; this in turn creates unnaturalwear and tear on your other jointsand tendons which can then becomepainful.

Rheumatism and arthritis is alwaysmore noticeable in these areas whenyou are older. Getting old and‘cronky’ seems a lifetime away whenyou are young, which is why parentsshould take responsibility forchildren’s foot health and footwearseriously. So why should we careabout our feet so much and opt forcorrectly fitted shoes?

Well there are loads of reasons, hereare just some:

� If your feet are comfortable andyou can move without concentratingon doing so, you will feel happy andrelaxed, you will stand correctly andyour body will feel great. No frownlines either.

� Feet are usually hidden away,crammed into unsuitably shapedshoes, outgrown socks, or cheaplyconstructed footwear which does notoffer support or protection, creating

horrible hard skin, misshapen toes,corns and ugly calluses. People thenfeel embarrassed about their feetwhen they need to go barefoot, orwant to show them off in nice shoes.If you buy footwear that fits correctlyyour feet will look lovely, you have agreater choice of footwear, you savemoney on remedial care and you canbare them with pride.

� If feet are ensconced in cheap,unnatural materials, they can becomehot and sweaty, leading to all sorts offungal infections. A mushroom is afungus and they grow best in dark,warm, damp conditions, so it standsto reason fungal infections likeAthletes Foot love un-breathablematerials and your feet being hiddenup in the dark.

� Damage to physique in yourformative years may not benoticeable until years later, whichmay impede your movement andspoil your quality of life. No-onewants to be house-bound or needinga mobility scooter – and do you see ahuge choice of footwear suitable forproblematic feet on the high street?No you don’t. A little care early ongives you much great choicethroughout your lifetime.

� Feet are at their most vulnerablefrom birth to early teens as the bonesin the foot do not completely ossify(harden) until around the age of 18,so if you give your children a goodstart when they are tiny, it will helpwithstand the horrors of fashionwhen they hit tempestuous teenage.

� Shoe fitters and chiropodists spendthe majority of their time trying tocorrect damage and ease discomfortwhich would have been avoided ifshoes had been correctly fitted whenpurchased. There are more than11,000 chiropodists in the UK whichspeaks volumes about the footwearwe buy and the lack of footwearadvice and knowledge available.

� Laura West is the secretary of TheSociety of Shoe Fitters.

Take care ofyour feet orrisk issuesin later life

sponsors foot care

Affordable bespokefoot orthosesMADE to measure foot orthoses aremore accessible than ever thanks toPro-Fit Technologies Ltd’s use oftechnology to produce advancedproducts quickly and at much lowercosts than bespoke orthoses havehistorically been.

With the new OCCO range you canoffer your patient a moreindividualised experience resultingwith better fitting and performingorthotics without the need to heatmould or add bits here and there tooff the shelf devices.

You will provide your patient with amade to measure prescriptive pair of

orthoses that are guaranteed for fiveyears. They will have their nameengraved on the base along with aserial number to make repeatsstraightforward. Each pair of footorthoses are individually designedand manufactured in the UK.

No need to take casts or impressions,just measure each foot and select theamount of control, left and right feetand forefoot and rearfoot can bespecified separately.

Go online to your account or simply emailthe details to us; you’ll have your custom

foot orthoses within three days, all for just£35.00+vat+p&p per pair.

FIREFLY is now the leading companyin the UK supplying true custommade foot orthoses to healthcareprofessionals and we intend tocontinue leading and deliveringservices and products that they canrely on.

We will not compromise on the useof volumetric casts/scans and uselibrary/template systems. Ourcomprehensive range includesfunctional/dress/sport orthoses,moulds and specialised devicesincluding Diabetic Tridensity, R.A. SoftMould, EVA, UCBL and RobertsWhitman.

We are dedicated suppliers of the

Richie Brace ankle foot orthotic. Wehave recently added a prestigious lineof custom made devices from AlliedOSI, an American Lab and we haveintroduced a range of Solestar cyclinginsoles.

Firefly is based in Ireland, providingzero rated VAT on our products, fastturnaround times including freepostage inbound and outbound.

Our sincere commitment toexcellence in product quality,professional expertise and customerservice sets the new standard in thefoot orthotic industry.

Enquiries: For further information visitwww.firefly.ie or call +353 71 91 49494.

Company aims to continuedelivering reliable products

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THE CPD lecture programme for FootHealth and MSK 2013 is availableonline.

Foot Health 2013 is established asthe largest independentpodiatry/MSK exhibition in UK.

Last year over 700 delegatesattended the event, with podiatrists,physiotherapists, osteopaths,chiropractors and other health care

professionals from all over UKenjoying the range of talks andworkshops, as well as finding outabout new products and services inthe large trade exhibition.

This year’s event will be held on June11 and 12 at Kettering ConferenceCentre in Northamptonshire, withkeynote speakers including PaulHarradine, Maria Mousley, AnthonyRedmond and Martin Haines.

sponsors foot care

Lecture programme onlineTHE annual conference of theSociety of Chiropodists andPodiatrists and the College ofPodiatry will be held at the ACCLiverpool from November 14-16.

As well as 2012 marking thecentenary of organised podiatry inthe UK, it also saw theestablishment of The College ofPodiatry – the leading UK expert inpreventative care, diagnosis and

treatment of problems affecting thefoot, ankle, and lower limb.

The College of Podiatry has grownfrom the educational activity of theSociety of Chiropodists andPodiatrists, created to inform andinfluence academic learning andresearch, educate and raiseawareness of the importance offoot health and bring it higher upthe public health agenda.

Liverpool to host conference

University puts its best footforward for new researchA TEAM of Sunderland Universitystudents are examining people withdiabetes to explore some of thefactors that could lead to footulceration or even amputation.

Volunteers have been attending theBiomechanics laboratory at theUniversity of Sunderland’s SciencesComplex over the last two months.The team has been investigating therelationship between the loss ofsensation that can sometimes affectthe feet and leg, and pressure andforces on sole of the foot, as well asthe electrical impulse in leg musclethat help control balance.

According to Diabetes UK, in Englandevery year there are about 6,000diabetes related amputations, costingthe NHS an estimated £50m a year.

But five undergraduates are hopingtheir research, which is a final yearproject, headed by Sunderlandprincipal lecturer Rob Colclough,could build on existing knowledge topredict the risk of ulceration andintervene to preventing unnecessaryinjuries or amputations.

Rob said: “The sooner that peripheral

neuropathy is diagnosed in a diabeticpatient the lower the chance ofdeveloping serious complications”.

“The consequences of ulceration andamputation can lead to reducedmobility, loss of occupation, areduction in quality of life, andsubstantial health and social carecosts.”

“Our study is trying to reduce thelikelihood of people with peripheralsensory neuropathy developing footulceration. More evidence is requiredto understand how loss in sensationdevelops; it’s physical and mechanicalimplications and its prevention oreffective treatment.

“By investigating how much loadingis taking place through, there may bea physical mechanism which can beintroduced to stop the progression,such as a special shoe or insole.”

Linda Wood, regional manager forDiabetes UK Northern and Yorkshire,added: “What makes the situation sofrustrating is the fact that 80 per centof amputations are potentiallypreventable. The research beingundertaken at the University of

Sunderland will hopefully helphealthcare professionals understandmore about how foot ulcers arecaused and lead to improved care forpeople with diabetes.”

As part of the research, each studentis looking at different risk factors;measuring the sensation to vibrationin volunteers’ feet. By putting specialinsoles inside their shoes, sensors

measure the pressures on the sole oftheir feet. Volunteers will be asked tostand and walk across a machineembedded in the floor of thelaboratory, which very accuratelymeasures the forces across their foot.

Another machine will record whatthe muscles in volunteers’ legs aredoing when they stand and walkwhile looking at a video screen.

Dr Rob Colclough and Jill Croft with patient Joan Johnson.

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ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I JUNE/JULY 201322

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MATRIX MAX 2 NOW AVAILABLETRULIFE is proud to announce the arrival of ourlatest product to the popular Matrix family.

The Matrix Max 2 features a new Easy-Trim footplate (easily trimmed with regular scissors),allowing you to fit up to three shoes sizes withone product.

A new foot plate, which has been madenarrower in the medial arch, to allow for aneasier and better shoe fit.

The new strut is slightly more rigid to give greatstability and durability making the Max 2 theideal choice for the more active user.

As well as all of this, the Max is heat mouldable,height adjustable and comes in sizes Small to X-Large.

Enquiries: For more information on the Max 2 orany of the Trulife range of products

call 0800 716770, email: info@trulife.com

or visit www.trulife.com

PLATINUM ELITE IS IN A CLASSOF ITS OWNTHE Platinum Elite fromTrulife is constructed ofmodern spacer materialsfor a lighter, stronger andmore breathable support.

Solid sections ofcotton/spandex offer firmand durable support. Allmaterials are latex-free.

The Platinum Elite features:

� The new Tru-lacingsystem: meaning that thePlatinum Elite line is self-adjusting and self-flattening; the dual closureand pull strap systemsfacilitate donning anddoffing

� Rigid posterior and anterior panels for improved sagittal control whichproduce’s intra-cavity pressure to reduce the load on the inter-vertebraldiscs.

� Three-point pressure system which induces flexion forces.

� The removable plastic stays included in the rear casings which allow thegarment to be used as a step-down brace.

Enquiries: For more information on the Platinum Elite or any of the Trulife rangeof products call 0800 716770 email: info@trulife.com or visit www.trulife.com

THE URBAN COLLECTIONWITH so many shapesand sizes of feettogether with numerousmuscles, bones, jointsand ligaments affectingthe way we move, can astandard off-the-shelf ormodular device really bethe optimum treatmentplan for you patient?A custom-made footorthoses from BeagleOrthopaedic isfabricated by skilledtechnicians completelyby hand to individualprescriptions, casts andfoot impressions.Correctly prescribed,these handmade devices can give optimum correction and/or pressure relieffor effective outcomes. To keep ordering we have designed a small range ofproducts, which will can be tailored to suit a variety of indications.Named after Lancashire towns: Lytham, Blackburn, Bolton, Accrington,Lancaster and Whalley, any one of the ‘Urban Collection’ will provide a uniquethree dimensional orthoses to suit your patient pathologies.

Enquiries: For further information contact 01254 268788.

PFS STRAP DRAMATICALLY REDUCESPLANTAR FASCIITIS PAINRHYS Davies is a rugby union referee,working with the RFU National Panel,with experience of running touch atgrounds such as Northampton Saints,Leicester Tigers,Wasps and Harlequinsand officiating at Heineken and AmlinCup matches.Rhys’ Plantar Fasciitis began with a tightAchilles feeling at the back of his heelafter a long run or after officiating amatch. Despite trying various insolesand strapping techniques, the painbegan to mean that Rhys needed moreand more recovery time after activity.Sports massage and stretching were nolonger providing any relief.“I confess to being sceptical when I sawthe support,”added Rhys.“However, I'veused it for running, refereeing andrunning the line at a match, and have been able to walk the next day, andeven been able to referee another game the day after running the line inone.”

Enquiries: For more details and to view the product,

visit Chaneco on stand 14 at Foot Health in Kettering on June 11 and 12.The case study can be downloaded from www.chaneco.co.uk

FOR 30 years Promedics hasconsistently worked to exceed theexpectations of its customers and arecommitted to offering total customerservice.

To achieve this high standardPromedics has over 150 UKemployees working in one ofEurope’s largest manufacturing unitsfocused on the production oforthopaedic braces, supports andhand therapy products

Managing director David Baxendalesaid: “Promedics is proud to beassociated with our clinical partnersin the NHS and we work hard tomeet and exceed their needs.

“We manufacture 80 per cent of thegoods we sell and we are proud tobe a British manufacturer that retainsits skills here in the UK.

“This level of control allows us toquickly adapt to the changing needsof our customer and gives us controlover raw materials and the overallquality of our products.”

Promedics’ 40,000 sq. ft. UK factoryis managed using a fully automatedsystem.

David added: “This investment insystems allows us to controleverything from raw material usage

right through to the finished producton the shelf.

“Our warehouse has a fullyautomated bar-coded picking systemand this allows us to achieve a 97per cent on time dispatch.

“We understand the pressure on NHSbudgets and the need to reducestock holding, so it is vital that wesupport our customers and deliver ontime, every time”

Promedics is also proud to be theexclusive distributor for three worldclass companies: BREG (USA), bracingand sports medicine products, Orfit(Belgium), Low TemperatureThermoplastics (Rehabilitation andRadiotherapy) and North CoastMedical (USA), Hand TherapyProducts

David believes that this overallproduct range is unrivalled in the UK.“Being able to offer our customers aone stop shop solution has been akey objective,” he added. “It allowsthem to consolidate their purchasingand reduce the costs associated withraising separate purchase orders.

“Our aim is to provide our NHSpartners with everything they need inone fast, efficient and cost effectivedelivery.”

Promedics works toexceed expectations

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