assistive technologies june/july 2016

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE

By Dominic MusgraveCRYOS Technologies Inc., a provider of advanced dynamic orthotics, has announced a new 3D foot scanning system for podiatrists.

Premiered at the FIP World Congress of Podiatry in Montreal, the CryoScan3D quickly captures high-resolution, full-colour 3D models of the foot in a range of positions to enable the creation of dynamic orthotics.

Digital capture of patient foot data removes the need for messy plaster casts or foam boxes, and provides a scalable and faster solution for podiatrists to grow their business.

Built using Fuel3D scanning technology, the CryoScan3D delivers high-level precision, with a scan accurate to 250 microns (0.25mm). It captures 3D data and color in less than 0.1 seconds, meaning that patient movement cannot distort the scan.

To date, 3D foot scanning technologies have suffered issues with scan quality and distortion caused by patients moving during the scanning process.

This can cause scans to become blurry or wavy, and has resulted in many podiatrists being hesitant to adopt foot scanning systems.

With a compact design (38.5 x 68.5 cm /

15 x 27 inches) that ensures it can fit in any clinic, the CryoScan3D is highly versatile, providing podiatrists with the ability to scan the foot in full-, semi- and non-weight bearing positions. And, with no moving parts, the scanner offers greater reliability than other scanning systems.

“The CryoScan3D is a real game-changer for podiatry and will allow us to offer Cryos dynamic orthotics to even more clinics,” said John Stimpson, president, Cryos Technologies. “3D scanning allows you to capture patient data anywhere and transmit it electronically. With this new system in place, what you scan is exactly what you will get from a Cryos orthotic – a fully customised device, rather than the closest match from a template library.”

In collaboration with the CryoVizion postural condition assessment system, the CryoScan3D provides podiatrists with a complete solution for assessing, capturing and creating custom orthotics. Cryos dynamic orthotics guide the foot to its proper movement without immobilizing it, by preserving and stimulating foot strength, flexibility and mobility while being corrected.

Clinics or orthotics companies who wish to use the CryoScan3D as a standalone product can also contact the company for information about the system, which will be commercially available in September.

Cryos Technologies in next-generation foot scanner launch

Leah Washington, who sustained a traumatic above-the-knee amputation in the Alton Towers rollercoaster accident, took delivery of her high definition silicone covered cosmetic prosthesis at Pace Rehabilitation’s Cheadle clinic. As well as prosthetic provision, Leah has been receiving physiotherapy support from Pace’s Carolyn Hirons, which has included stair gait re-education at a local shopping centre.

Leah is pictured above with prosthetist Howard Woolley.

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ContactsEditorialJudith Halkerston Group EditorEmail: [email protected]

Dominic Musgrave Group Production EditorEmail: [email protected]

Tel: 01226 734407Olivia Taylor ReporterEmail: [email protected] Sales Carole Rice Product Manager Email: [email protected] Tel: 01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

Tony Barry Sales and Marketing Director Email: [email protected]

Circulation [email protected] hour hotline: 01226 734695

Design/Production Stewart Holt Studio ManagerEmail: [email protected] Thornley Graphic DesignerEmail: [email protected]

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

or otherwise, that may occur.

www.assistivetechnologies.co.uk

‘Fit not frumpy’ – how shoe fitting can benefit everyoneTHE Society of Shoe Fitters and the Healthy Footwear Guide Scheme are collaborating to present their first conference with a focus on the importance of shoe fit.

Recent research will be highlighted, providing guidance to inform the shoe fitting process and to offer insight into developmental work in the footwear industry.

Additionally, presentations will be given from expert shoe fitters based on their experiences in the industry to show why professional shoe fitting is so important for foot health.

The conference will be relevant to shoe retailers, footwear industry professionals, clinicians working with footwear and those undertaking research on footwear and shoe fit – aiming to bring all those involved in footwear together in one forum.

Speakers include Victoria Robinson, professor of sociology at the University of York, who will describe a research-based footwear choice toolkit, Amanda Michel, director of Leather Wise, who will present

“What kind of animal is a Faux?” and Rosemary Gray, from the Council of the Society of Shoe Fitters, who will discuss fitting orthoses in retail footwear.

Other speakers include Professor Chris Nester, from the University of Salford and Chris Hill, senior lecturer in footwear and accessories, at the University of Northampton.

This one-day conference is supported by the University of Salford and hosted by the University of Northampton, and is being held on September19.

Speakers list

“If the Shoe Fits: A footwear choice toolkit”. (Professor Victoria Robinson, director of learning & teaching / professor of sociology, York University)

“The importance of Fit for Adults” (Ellie Dickins, past president, the Society of Shoe Fitters)

“The work of the Society of Shoe Fitters” (Laura West, secretary, the Society of Shoe Fitters)

“The Healthy Footwear Guide Scheme” (assoc. professor Mike Curran, the University of Northampton)

“Orthotics: Myth busting!” (Veronica Newton, lecturer, the University of Salford)

“Faced with Orthotics that don’t fit” (Rosemary Gray, Council of the Society of Shoe Fitters)

New technology in footwear design” (professor Chris Nester, the University of Salford)

“Footwear Materials” (Rachel Garwood, director of the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies [ICLT])

“Footwear: A fitting design” (Chris Hill, senior lecturer in footwear and accessories, the University of Northampton)

“What kind of animal is a Faux?” (Amanda Michel, director of Leather Wise Ltd)

“Footwear in diagnosis: The use of wear features of shoes” (professor Wesley Vernon OBE, president, the Society of Shoe Fitters)

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: [email protected] We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

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By Simon Dickinson

ON May 20, 2016 the NHS England set a new record when it announced that in the financial year 2015/16 it had overspent by £2.45billion with two-thirds of NHS providers overspent!

The NHS deficit has ballooned over the last three years from £115million in 2013/14, to £822million to the new record figure.

The figures published by NHS Improvement (the NHS regulator) showed the deficit was £461million higher than planned.

Now I am no economist, but all of us have to have a simple understanding of mathematics for our personal lives.

What comes in financially each month has to cover our costs of mortgages/rent, bills etc (what goes out) otherwise we cannot live.

None of us can walk into a supermarket for the weekly shop and decide when we get to the till that we will pay £80 to Sainsbury’s for a £100 bill. We would get arrested!

But the NHS plans to make a loss...

If any business or charity continually makes a loss then it ceases to exist quite quickly!

There are many stated reasons for the 2015/16 NHS deficit.

Fundamentally one of the biggest issues seems to be the continual rising demand for care from a growing and ageing population at a time when the government’s austerity agenda sees a moderate real term budget increase.

Financially the biggest overspend is on agency staff (£1.4billion) against the original plan of £2.24billion.

Bizarrely another stated reason for the

overspend is fines from CCG’s to trust for “failure to hit targets” with trusts paying £751million back to CCG’s with only £253million of that being ploughed back into patient care.

With the NHS’s financial position,

huge dissatisfaction with employees (particularly junior doctors), failures to hit targets and growing waiting lists and increased patient dissatisfaction the obvious question is “is the NHS broken?”

The NHS needs to balance the books for it to be sustainable.

This can really only be done in two ways; Increase income (through increased government funding or charging patients for some services) or through continuing efficiencies.

The latter is the current approach of NHS England and the Government.

The NHS needs to make money from sick people to survive unless Mr Osborne decides to invest more money.

n Simon Dickinson is a clinical director at TalarMade.

Is it ok to make money out of sick people?

Simon Dickinson

Prosthetic knee joint with seating features launchedOTTOBOCK has launched Prosedo, a pioneering mechanical locking knee which ensures users are able to sit safely.

The Prosedo 3R31 has mechanical components which provide significant benefits to amputees who primarily use their prosthesis for getting around the house. The Prosedo provides users peace of mind by enabling them to sit down safely, be it on a bed, chair or in a wheelchair.

The Prosedo is the first of its kind to have a semi-automatic knee lock along with an integrated linear hydraulic unit. It serves to stabilise the amputee when the lock is disengaged by actively supporting the user when they are in the

process of sitting down by gradually damping the knee flexion. The knee joint can also be individually adjusted by the user’s clinician to a higher or lower resistance to suit their personal requirement.

As well as benefitting from the safety features when sitting, the Adjust 1M10 prosthetic foot marries well with the Prosedo knee joint as – in contrast to traditional ankle-foot devices suitable for those with low mobility (Mobis 1) – the foot’s increased flexion allows for extended surface contact making the process of sitting down easier and more controlled.

Additionally the foot’s flexibility also provides a stabilising effect when it comes to uneven terrain.


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Annual conference is a successONCE again the Technician programme kicked off on Friday morning at the BAPO Conference with Ian Adam presenting the National Training Programme for Rehab Technicians.

The programme continued with a number of impressive speakers including Charlie Gough, Rob Briggs, Donna Fisher, Daniel Gelbart and Dr Thomas Schmalz.

The Generic programme then opened with a presentation from Suzanne Rastrick, chief allied health professions officer for England, followed by a focus on the complex issue of partial foot with speakers including Deepa Bose, Jamie Halliday, Stephen Osborne and Matthew Hughes.

As always Speakeasy hosted a wide

variety of talks, from upper limb prosthetics to the use of silicone in orthotics and proved popular with students and new graduates.

New technology enabled us to host satellite presentations – a first for BAPO – allowing delegates to engage with Dr Kevin Kirby in California, USA and Dr Michael Dillon in Melbourne, Australia.

Our Orthotic programme saw presentations from our OETT keynote speaker Dr Sicco Bus, Prof. Chris Nester, Naomi Davis, Willie Munro and Liz Clayton.

We were delighted to welcome two specialist paediatric consultants, Rod Duncan and Peter Calder, to the Prosthetic programme where they provided an insight into the long term functional outcomes for children in

their care.

Our afternoon continued with our Össur Keynote speaker Dr Anton Johannesson, followed by a fascinating presentation on 3D printing by Joel Gibbard and Samantha Payne.

Rounding off Saturday, Peter Thomas and Mike O’Byrne Jnr introduced us to a new vacuum system for above knee amputees.

Our exhibitors this year created a dynamic and innovative arena to showcase their products.

Delegates were spoiled for choice with a variety of drinks and snacks available from many of the stands.

We saw the introduction of the Networking Area, central to the exhibition hall, which proved to be a thriving hive of activity for people to

meet, relax and network.

Friday evening saw delegates enjoy a delicious supper in the exhibition hall, before joining our DJ in the Legends Lounge for our ever popular evening disco.

Our P&O Party brought Saturday to a close, with guests showcasing their creativity in their fancy dress outfits.

Competition winners received their prizes and awards, which included our Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Joe Wilkinson.

Many of the events and prizes would not be possible without the continued support of our exhibitors, sponsors and delegates.

BAPO would like to take this opportunity to thank all those whose contribution helped to make Conference such a success.

The advantages of using knitted braces over traditional neoprene-type bracesTHANKS to the evolution of the technologies and an increasing number of manufacturers, knitted braces are becoming more popular.

With nearly 170 years’ experience in textile manufacturing, Thuasne has a wide portfolio of products specialising in the ankle, knee and spine.

Our braces are manufactured in two steps: spinning and covering and knitting.

The process of spinning converts synthetic fibres such as polyamide, elastane and polyester into yarn.

Elastic and non-elastic yarns are combined to define precisely the elasticity of the yarn to follow the international compression standards.

Yarns are finally knitted in a series of interlocking loops with a precise map in order to adapt to the anatomy.


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SA student entrepreneur whose grandfather was debilitated by Parkinson’s disease has created a mobility aid to improve the lives of other patients with the condition. Assistive Technologies found out more.

Student invents ‘smart’ walking stick to help Parkinson’s sufferersNEHA Shahid Chaudhry was inspired to invent a ‘smart’ walking stick after witnessing her late granddad struggle with the disease for seven years, repeatedly suffering falls when his joints seized up.

The device detects when a user’s limbs have frozen and they cannot continue walking. Recognising a pause in motion, the stick vibrates to help the patient regain their rhythm and get moving again.

Product design technology graduate Neha, of the University of the West of England, hopes her invention can benefit half the 127,000 Parkinson’s patients in Britain who regularly experience joint freezing and abnormal gait symptoms.

It has already been successfully tested among dozens of Parkinson’s patients, and the NHS and Parkinson’s UK charity have expressed an interest in her product.

Neha, 23, founder of start-up company Walk to Beat, has been overwhelmed by the response to the technology.

She said: “When I gave the product to patients to be tested, there were smiles on their faces and they were saying ‘This could really work’. It seems unbelievable that I have made something which could help people, even if it is to a small extent. It’s a great feeling for me and the patients are happy somebody is thinking of them.

“There isn’t a cure for Parkinson’s – medication just prolongs the condition and helps you stay alive for longer.

“My aim is to make their lives a bit better while they are dealing with it.”

International student Neha, born in Pakistan, came up with the idea in 2014 as part of an end-of-course

project in which she was challenged to devise a product which could solve a ‘real world’ problem.

Her mobility aid resembles a conventional walking stick but has sophisticated technology integrated into the plastic handle, including a sensor which can detect when the user has stopped taking steps. Once it has identified a pause, the stick emits a pulsating beat to help the patient resume walking.

Neha added: “People with Parkinson’s get jammed in one place and can’t step forward – it can cause falls. They need any kind of rhythm or sequence to get them started again, because it acts as a reminder.

“The beat is inside the handle – it senses when you stop and turns off automatically when you start walking again. Patients say it encourages them to walk and they learn to pace with it.”

The mobility aid was designed to look like a conventional walking stick to

ensure it did not draw attention to the patient and their condition.

Neha said: “I spent three to four months doing research, talking to patients, going to care homes and attending Parkinson’s UK drop in sessions.

“More than the disease itself, a big problem is the impact on social lives. Some other products for people with Parkinson’s have a stigma attached to them – they look like products for disabled people. Because one of the symptoms is tremors, patients drink from sippy cups and use children’s cutlery because it is easier to grip, but that seemed undignified to me.

“I wanted to design something that was aesthetically pleasing and discreet, so I could solve a problem in an almost secret way. The beat can only be felt by the user - it cannot be heard or seen.”

Inspiration for the product was drawn from Neha’s grandfather Zia-U-Din, who passed away two years ago.

Neha, who is now studying for a master’s degree in marketing at UWE Bristol, said: “My granddad had this disease for seven years so I knew a bit about it – that was my starting point. He used to freeze a lot and had a lot of injuries because of falling.

“He used to get really happy when he had good days, when he was able to walk without a stick. But we wouldn’t let him out alone. He once fell in the road and had a major injury.”

Social enterprise Walk to Beat is based in the technology incubator at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory on UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus, where she received support in developing her walking stick’s sensor and producing a final prototype device from the Robotics Innovation Facility.

Neha Shahid Chaudhry with the new walking stick.

RESEARCHERS at the University of Dundee examining the effect vibration has in ulcers occurring in the feet of diabetic patients are appealing for volunteers to aid them in their efforts.

A team of researchers led by pro-fessor Rami Abboud in the Institute of Motion Analysis and Research at the University are investigating the effects that different vibration

frequencies have upon the feet.

“We hope this study will help in providing better medical manage-ment for diabetic patients and give healthcare professionals a better understanding of how to avoid the occurrence of diabetic foot ulcers,” said Rami.

“Foot ulcers are a common, and ser-ious, problem for diabetic patients. Finding new ways to help prevent

these happening would offer a great boost to patients.

“We are always deeply thankful for the help of the public in studies like this, as without their assistance we could not carry out much of the world-leading research we do at the University.”

The researchers are looking to recruit volunteers aged 18 years and over who suffer from diabetes.

Diabetic volunteers sought for foot ulcer study


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Anatomical Concepts to distribute and support Indego product in UKANATOMICAL Concepts (UK) has signed an agreement with the Parker Hannifin Corporation to distribute and support the Indego product in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Indego is a powered lower limb orthosis – popularly known as an exoskeleton.

Thanks to powered hip and knee joints in conjunction with sensor technology and sophisticated control strategies, the device allows certain gait impaired individuals to stand up and walk again.

The Indego joins the existing exoskeleton devices on the market and brings some distinct advantages.

The Indego is available in two versions – a Clinical and a Personal version.

Indego can be used in rehabilitation centres as therapy tool, or as a mobility assistive device for individuals in their homes.

As a therapeutic device, Indego enables clinicians to conduct over-ground and task-specific gait training.

Outside of the clinic it offers people with impaired mobility a new level of independence.

For the individual user, Indego offers a lightweight, modular design with intuitive controls that offer excellent usability.

This five component modular design allows for rapid set-up and easy transport.

Weighing only 26lbs (11.8kg), Indego is the lightest exoskeleton currently available.

Up until now, exoskeleton designs haven’t really been practical for personal use outside of the clinic.

The Indego has a number of features that could make a powered orthosis much more practical for home users.

Typical user criteria are as follows:

n Height range: 5’1” to 6’3” (155 to 191cm).

n Maximum weight: 250 lbs (113 kg).

n Maximum hip width: 16.6” (42.2cm).

n Femur length: 14” to 18.5” (35 to 47cm).

n Level of injury: C5 or lower.

n Spasticity score: Modified Ashworth score three or lower.

n Sufficient upper body strength to

balance and advance with forearm crutches, front-wheeled walker or platform walker.

The clinical version of the Indego is designed for institutional use and consists of one small, medium, and large size of each component (three complete Indego devices), three batteries with recharging station, padding options and two hand held

controllers.

The Wellington Hospital, London and the Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital, Aylesbury have been early adopters of the Indego and will be the initial facilities for UK user training.

The Indego will be at the Anatomical stand (248) at the upcoming Neurological Rehab Show at ExCel, London on June 15 and 16.

College warns unplanned discharge will increase cycle of readmissionBy Olivia Taylor

THE College of Occupational Therapists has warned that unplanned discharges will lead to a growing cycle of hospital readmission.

The College has consistently highlighted the consequences of poor discharge planning which leads to inadequate equipment and support at home.

Their concerns follow a report from the parliamentary and health service ombudsman which found more than 200 people, including those with dementia, had been sent home from hospital too soon leading to death and serious injury

Julia Skelton, director of professional operations at the College of Occupational Therapists, said: “This report reveals we must act now to ensure well planned discharge services are in place to protect patients from further avoidable harm.

“Unless we share our skills as professionals to change the way we support patients through hospital, we face a growing cycle of crisis care.

“Providing essential equipment

to people on a short term basis is another area where clarity is needed.

“We need occupational therapists in A & E and on hospital wards to assess a patient’s needs for recovery and start planning for discharge immediately.

“What type of housing do they live in, do they need equipment, how will their condition impact on daily living, are they a carer themselves?

“These factors are crucial to health and reduce the risk of future hospital admissions.

“The College is clear that hospitals must seize on the skills of occupational therapists to deliver safe integrated and sustainable discharge.”

The College has launched the Occupational Therapy: Improving Lives, Saving Money campaign (www.cotimprovinglives.com) to bring occupational therapy’ skills to the attention of health care leaders.

The campaign highlights how the profession provides return on investment for services under financial pressure.


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A wheelchair user has spoken of the transformative experience of using a specially designed wheelchair to enable him to play golf standing upright for the first time. Peter McWilliams, a tenant at Blackwood’s Belses Gardens care home in Glasgow, attended the official launch of the Paragolfer at Mearns Castle Golf Academy, where he had the opportunity to test the innovative machine. Powerfully built to safely access the green, the Paragolfer mechanically raises the disabled user from a sitting to a standing position, enabling them to play their swing with ease. The creative machine has been designed by international Paragolfer, Anthony Netto, and is one of only two which are currently publicly accessible in Scotland.

OTTOBOCK UK has launched a new Clinical Services Agency.

The agency, which offers prosthetic and orthotic clinical services, has made it easier for clinics across the UK to find locum clinicians with a specific skill set and level of experience.

After identifying a need in the industry for a structured locum workforce that meets the requirements of clinics, Ottobock has created a database of approved prosthetists and orthotists, available to clinics throughout the UK.

The agency offers a significant improvement to the current system by the introduction of industry regulations on clinician skill set, experience and clinical governance requirements.

This will save clinics precious time and give them peace of mind that all prosthetists and orthotists have undergone an extensive approval process that includes checks of: Disclosure and Barring Service, original documentation to confirm identity, right to work in the UK and permission to work within NHS clinics.

Kevin Green, business and clinical

development manager at Ottobock, said: “This is a great improvement for the prosthetic and orthotic industry. There has never been a screening process in place before, meaning the process of obtaining a locum for clinical cover has always been time consuming and involves a certain level of risk such as unsuitable placements.

“Now, with Ottobock Clinical Services Agency, there is the assurance that the clinicians put forward meet all the required criteria of the clinic”.

In addition, Ottobock will appoint a dedicated clinic coordinator who will be the point of contact for the recruiting clinics. The coordinator will be aware of all the locums on the database, their clinical specialisms and geographical areas covered. From this they will identify the most suitable locums to meet the needs of the recruiting clinics.

Kevin added: “Having a reliable database of assessed clinicians means recruiting clinics who have signed up to Ottobock Clinical Services Agency will save time and money, leaving them free to concentrate on what matters – providing their patients with the quality service they deserve.”

Agency addresses a need for skilled locum clinicians


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S LEEDS-based occupational physiotherapy provider Physio Med has expanded its management team with two new appointments.

New clinical governance officer Paul Wimpenny will be responsible for overseeing Physio Med’s clinical scrutiny, as well as assisting in-house clinical director Mark Fletcher in managing the clinical side of the business.

A Bachelor of Health Sciences in Physiotherapy from Leeds University, Paul has a specialist background in sports injury physiotherapy, and has previously worked with high-profile sports teams including Manchester United and Liverpool FC.

An expert in musculoskeletal injury and rehabilitation, Paul has also worked for organisations including the English Institute of Sport, and has extensive experience of lecturing

internationally at universities including Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He has worked alongside Mark within the clinics at Physio Med over the last 10 years prior to taking up the new role.

Meanwhile, new physio team leader Jon Bongcawel will also be working alongside Mark to oversee a team of seven employees, while still practicing as a physiotherapist.

Jon joined the Physio Med team as senior locum in August 2015 before beginning his new role last October. Jon brings more than 10 years of experience with him to Physio Med, having started his career in the UK as a senior locum physiotherapist covering neurology, MSK and orthopaedic for the NHS in Nottinghamshire in 2003.

Phil Clayton, managing director of

Physio Med, said: “The new roles that Jon and Paul are fulfilling are key to the on-going development of the business as we grow the services we offer to our clients and continue to innovate in the world of physiotherapy.

“They both bring a wealth of experience and talent to the business

and we are confident they will be valuable assets to us.”

Physio Med has recently been nominated in the ‘Innovator of the Year’ category at the 2016 Yorkshire Business Masters awards, in recognition of its ground-breaking and successful blended approach in occupational physiotherapy.

Physio Med bolster team with new appointments

Jon Bongcawel (left) and Paul Wimpenny (right) have joined the Physio Med team.

University’s new course gets seal of approvalAN innovative pre-registration Master’s programme in podiatry, which has been developed at the University of Salford, has been launched.

The course has been approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and the College of Podiatry.

Dr Anita Williams, from the School of Health Sciences, led the programme development, internal approval process and approval with the HCPC.

Dr Williams said: “The rationale for this development has been the number of students joining the BSc (Hons) programme, who already have a degree or higher degree in related science subjects.

“These students apply to Podiatry to

gain the professional qualification in order to register with the HCPC but then add another BSc degree qualification to their CV.

“The Master’s programme allows these students to build on their first honours degree, by developing advanced scholarship and the application of this into practice.”

The new programme allows students to gain the standards of proficiencies required to obtain HCPC registration, while gaining an MSc in Podiatry.

Dr Jane McAdam, director of Prosthetics & Orthotics and Podiatry, led the consultation with heads of NHS Podiatry Services NW, Health Education North West and the College of Podiatry approval process.

Dr McAdam said: “There are clear benefits to the pre-registration MSc Podiatry programme.

“The consultation with heads of NHS podiatry services in the North West revealed that they are supportive of this development.

“They felt that an MSc qualification, together with the professional practice qualification, would increase students’ employability and position them better for career development and promotion, potentially in leadership roles.

“The programme ensures that the University of Salford is providing a unique programme and hence being attractive to potential students from across the UK and the international

market.”

The MSc students will be aligned with the School’s Foot Ankle and Knee research group, which is led by Salford’s professor Chris Nester.

Professor Nester said: “I am delighted with this new pathway that links undergraduate and postgraduate studies to our research – and the MSc cohort is an excellent platform from which to build wider links between research outcomes and curriculum.

“This will allow us to improve succession planning for new graduates wishing to work towards PhD studies and, longer-term, bolster the number of podiatrists with a PhD and research qualification.”º


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E-step taster day at Hobbs RehabilitationDM ORTHOTICS recently held its first E-step Taster Day at Hobbs Rehabilitation, Winchester.

The session was led by DM Orthotics’ clinical manger Patricia McCotter supported by the firm’s clinical specialist physiotherapist Liz Betts and biomedical researcher Rod Lane.

The E-step Taster Day was attended by 20 members of the Hobbs Rehabilitation team and provided them with a comprehensive insight to DMO’s and the E-step FES system.

The events consisted of: an introduction to Dynamic Elastomeric Fabric Orthoses; a summary of the uses of Functional Electrical Stimulation; E-step product review and the benefits of combining the DMO Sock with an FES system; explanation of the XFT stimulator and Flexitrode®.

A patient demonstration was also given, which allowed the Hobbs delegates to see the effects of the E-step in working practice.

DM Orthotics clinical manager, Patricia McCotter, said: “We had a great day at Hobbs Rehabilitation.

“The session was very interactive and prompted a lot of MDT discussion on treatment prescriptions/modalities. We look forward to setting up further training sessions on our DEFOs and arranging an E-Step joint assessment clinic.”

Susanne Pender, of Hobbs Rehabilitation, added: “I just want to say a big thank you on behalf of the Hobbs team for your interesting demo. I think the E step could have great potential in the clinical setting.”

DM Orthotics will be running more E-step Taster Days throughout the year.

[email protected]


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INNOVATIVE, practically oriented and more international than ever – such was this year’s OTWorld.

21,300 visitors (2014: 20,400) from 86 countries (2014: 81) came to the Leipzig Fair and Exhibition Centre, in order to get information about the developments and innovations in orthopaedic aids and treatments, as well as to discuss issues relating to quality of care.

The world’s largest meeting place for the sector, with 542 exhibitors and 330 speakers from all over the globe, set standards for prosthetics, orthot-ics, orthopaedic footwear technology, technical rehabilitation and the retail trade of the future.

Progress in bionics, creatively de-signed technology and the latest approaches to rehabilitation were some of the key themes at OTWorld 2016, the leading world trade show in its field.

“I am delighted that OTWorld was able, once again, to demonstrate its importance as the world’s leading meeting place for the sector,” said Martin Buhl-Wagner, president and chief executive officer of Leipziger

Messe, summing up the event. “It is a place for the active promotion of health and the identification of pathways for the future treatment and care of people with and without handicaps, who need various kinds of aid or support. The congress, which covers an area of 10,000 square metres, is now integrated into the heart of the trade show and this new concept has significantly contributed to the event’s success.

“The result has been to create a per-fect platform for discussions between industry, the skilled trades and the medical profession.”

37 per cent of visitors came to the international trade show and world congress from outside Germany. One out of every two was a top-ranking decision-maker and there was an in-crease in the international proportion of this group.

One of the most important aims was to provide information about new products and current trends in the sector and to extend people’s know-ledge, as well as offering participants orientation in the market and the opportunity to exchange experiences

with their peers. Once again, visitors’ high expectations have been con-sistently met.

Klaus-Jürgen Lotz, president of the German Association of Orthopaedic Technology, added: “Some 15 per cent of the population worldwide have no access to orthopaedic care or are insufficiently provided for.

“This represents around one billion people. And that is a gigantic chal-lenge.

“In order to find solutions to the

problem of access to care and de-velop appropriate quality of treat-ment, we need experts from all over the world to come together and share ideas and experiences.

“Technical orthopaedics is all about partnership and interdisciplinary discussion. And that is something that OTWorld has managed to achieve with exemplary success. Participants have been able to experience the spirit of ‘Join the progress’ at first hand and see ways of implementing it in reality.”

OTWorld confirms position as leading sector meeting place


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Dr Lee Herrington

Salford lecturer Lee to work at Rio Olympics with Team GBA UNIVERSITY of Salford lecturer has been selected to work with Team GB at the Olympic Games in Brazil this summer.

Dr Lee Herrington, senior lecturer in Sports Rehabilitation, will be joining the Team’s physiotherapy department where he will be responsible for the health and wellbeing of Britain’s ath-letes during the tournament.

Dr Herrington’s role, obtained via a three-stage application process with the British Olympic Association, also involves facilitating performance, and ensuring that each athlete is prepared both physically and mentally, when competing.

Dr Herrington will be jetting off to Rio de Janeiro a fortnight prior to the athletes, who arrive for the opening ceremony on th August 5, to help prepare Team GB’s health set-up. As part of this preparation, Dr Herrington will be carrying out a variety of checks within the Olympic park to ensure athletes are given a full low-down of their surroundings upon arrival.

These checks, which aim to alleviate the athletes of unwarranted stress, include everything from the timings of the Olympic park shuttle buses, to the location of the nearest toilets in a particular building, and even Wi-Fi login details.

Dr Herrington had a similar role with Team GB at the London 2012 Sum-mer Olympic Games and at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

This experience will be extremely useful to Dr Herrington as he starts to physically prepare for a summer of long hours in high temperatures. The threat of the Zika virus is also another challenge that Dr Herrington

will have to contend with, due to its potential impact on performance of the athletes, and this will surely be on his radar.

Speaking about the amazing chal-lenge that awaits him this summer, Lee said: “The Olympics is the craziest show on earth and I can’t wait to get started!

“It is a great privilege and honour to be able to play my part in the success of Team GB in Rio, and when I get to see our athletes on the podium collecting their medals, I will be im-mensely proud.”

The possibility of working with the likes of double Olympic-gold medallist Mo Farrah, heptathlete Jessica Ennis, and long-jumper Greg Rutherford, excites the Salford lecturer. However, Lee has admitted he looks forward to witnessing the progression of the younger athletes even more.

“The journey the youngest members of the team will make during the tournament will be fascinating to observe. Having worked with Team GB before, there’s a real togetherness amongst the group and it’s always nice to see the more experienced athletes passing on their experience and advice to newest additions. It’s one big team effort.”

Kay Hack, Dean for the School of Health Sciences, added: “We are extremely proud of Lee’s role within Team GB, it shows just how well he is respected within his field.

“This excellent industry link will see Lee return to the University in September brimming with anecdotes and real-life case studies which will truly benefit his students and their education at Salford.”

Academic’s prosthetic helps disabled cyclist Craig win two medalsAN army veteran has won two medals for cycling at the Invictus Games, wearing a prosthetic leg designed for him by a Bournemouth University academic.

Craig Preece, who had a below the knee amputation after being injured by a roadside bomb while serving in Afghanistan, was competing for Great Britain at the Games.

He won gold in the Men’s Road Bike Circuit Race and silver in the Men’s Road Bike Time Trial wearing a state-of-the-art prosthetic limb created by BU product design lecturer Dr Bryce Dyer.

Bryce has been working with both Craig and prosthetists at Pace Rehabilitation to design the limb.

He said: “The research project originally originated from the starting point that I was curious to know how important a prosthetic limb might or might not be when cycling competitively.

“For me personally, I really enjoy doing research that has tangible real world applications – particularly in elite sport, which is a major passion of mine both inside and outside of the

university.”

Bryce has also worked with Irish Paralympic cyclist Colin Lynch, with the prosthetic designs optimised to accommodate the athletes’ own personal needs for competing.

“I worked with Pace Rehabilitation to really see if we could optimise the aerodynamics, weight, construction and general biomechanics of the original project,” he added.

“That led to one design being specifically tailored for Craig, and another new one for Colin.

“It was ultimately their needs and the kind of sporting events they compete in that has pushed the design and led the project.

“Even now, I’m still involved in a lot of field testing and controlled experiments over the next few months that will demonstrate just how effective Craig’s design has been.”

The Invictus Games, which this year took place in Florida, is an international sporting event for injured, wounded and sick servicemen and women.

A STUDY using high resolution imaging to create a “virtual bone biopsy” has shed new light on why people with type 2 diabetes are at risk of bone fractures.

Researchers from the Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, used high resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography to assess bone structure and strength at a microstructural level in living patients.

The images showed that individuals with type 2 diabetes have structural defects within their bones, which could weaken them and go some way to explaining the greater rates of fracture found in older men and women with the disease.

Lead researcher Dr Mark Edwards, clinical lecturer at the University of Southampton, said: “This is a very interesting discovery using a very novel technique.

“We’ve known for some time that people with type 2 diabetes are at risk of fracture but have not been able to fully explain why.

“This new imaging technique has

been able to identify that the cortical component of bone – the outer rim of the bone – tends to exhibit greater porosity in those with type 2 diabetes compared to those without.

“We can now see where there is a specific deficit within the bone, which may help clinicians to develop appropriate therapies to prevent future fractures.”

The study scanned a group of 177 men and 155 women, who were part of the Hertfordshire Cohort Study. Their average age was around 76 years at the time of the study.

Professor Cyrus Cooper, director of the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, added: “This study highlights an important link between diabetes and osteoporosis, and identifies a selective deficit in skeletal development, which leads to excess fracture risk in this increasingly frequent disorder.

“It also demonstrates that environmental influences during critical periods of early development might lead to several common non-communicable disorders in western populations.”

Study sheds light on fractures risk


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A digital revolution in the assessment and delivery of special seating systemsRECENT Advances in digital 3D scanning technology now deliver the opportunity to utilise this exciting development as a routine method for the assessment of clients that require bespoke customised seating and postural management equipment.

Specialised Orthotic Services By Drive (SOS) have introduced digital technology to their assessment to production pipeline by investing in 3D Scanners and robotic manufacturing technology bringing with it a host of benefits.

The new processes operate alongside the existing methods adding to their capabilities.

Gordon McQuilton MBE, managing director at SOS, said: “Digital technology has been gathering momentum over the last few years

and at SOS we have been waiting for this technology to develop.

“With the latest scanning equipment now on the market this offers a more user friendly system that can be portable for our clinical assessors to utilise on a daily basis.

“This makes our service more versatile and much easier to deliver to the clients that require customised seating equipment.

“SOS has placed some serious investment into establishing this facility at our UK site and I believe we now have the most advanced production system in the UK and worldwide we are now able to offer services at a comprehensive level.”

The SOS Digi-Seat

The SOS Digi-Seat is the latest

development in the range of Specialist Seating from SOS.

Digi-Seat uses the latest in 3D scanning and Robotic Technology enhancing the client assessment and provision process.

3D scanning at the point of assessment offers superb versatility and precision with a much better, more user friendly technique for both client and care staff.

SOS have invested in the latest robotic technology to provide the most up to date manufacturing methods. The result is a highly accurate seating system that is lighter, more accurate

and more supportive.

All Digi-Seats are compatible with all the SOS MOJO range of specialist mobility wheelbases and also a large selection of other proprietary brands.

To find out how SOS can assist you in the provision of this exciting new development in specialist seating contact SOS today for more information at:

Specialised Orthotic Services Ltd, Unit 127-128 Fauld Industrial Park, Fauld

Lane, Tutbury, Staffordshire, DE13 9HS. Call 01283 812860 or email enquiries@

specialorthotic.com


NEW

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Mini BladeXT offers outstanding stability FOR youngsters, life never stops.

An active lifestyle needs to be fully equipped to meet the needs of the most demanding user, whether it’s going to school, spending time with friends, running, cycling or taking part in sports.

Available in dazzling pink and electric blue, Mini BladeXT offers outstanding stability, ground compliance and improved comfort through the split toe and traction sole, while its C-shaped toe spring is primed for optimal energy response.

Mini BladeXT is suitable for amputees aged from around five years old through to

teenagers and young adults, weighing between 20kg and 60kg.

It can be prescribed for all levels of amputation where there is sufficient clearance.

Enquiries: Call 0114 263 7900, email [email protected] or visit www.blatchford.co.uk

OTTOBOCK, a world leading manufacturer of innovative solutions for people with limited mobility, is delighted to announce Beagle Orthopaedic as its first official distributor in the UK and Ireland.

Beagle Orthopaedic, based in Blackburn, Lancashire, has stocked and supplied bespoke orthotic products for their customers for a number of years. The two companies have come together recognising the natural synergy between the two businesses based on their commitment to provide innovative, premium orthotics to the UK market.

Len Lloyd, managing director at Beagle, said: “Ottobock are recognised globally for their innovative design and quality products; we know we can support Ottobock with our recognised award winning customer service and support to the end user.

“We are looking forward to this

exciting partnership going forward.”

This collaboration allows customers easy access to Ottobock products via Beagle’s award winning service and extensive sales force, while Beagle will expand their range of orthopaedic rehab products to include Ottobock orthotics that deliver patient compliance and sound clinical outcomes.

The Ottobock range will include a number of stock foot & ankle solutions together with spinal and knee products, plus the pioneering Agilium Freestep and Tübingen Hip Flexion and Abduction Orthosis.

Enquiries: For more information on Ottobock’s range visit

www.ottobock.co.uk

Matrix family of AFOs designed to cover a range of activity levels ...DESIGNED and manufactured Sheffield, UK, Trulife’s Matrix range of products are carbon composite Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs).

These products can be used for drop foot, limb proprioception deficit,mild proximal deficit as well as for partial foot amputations.

The Matrix range has been developed to provide a dynamic response and more stable gait pattern throughout the gait cycle. AFOs help control the position and motion of the ankle, correcting its function by providing support to compensate for any weakness.

The Matrix range of products helps a wide variety of users globally, and as the range covers all activity levels, it offers the clinician a broad choice when in clinic.

Two users of the Matrix product are Joan and Ben. Joan is a retired farmer’s wife who was diagnosed with drop foot.

An inability to properly control her left leg resulted in continuous trips and falls, which impacted on her lifestyle in many ways.

Using a Matrix AFO has made a huge difference to her life.

“Since I had the Matrix, it’s made a lot of difference to my life. I can drive so that means I can go out with much more confidence than before,” she said.

Ben is a teenager who has cerebral palsy. He suffers from weakness on one side of his body and also has a leg length discrepancy.

He uses a Matrix AFO which helps him take part in sports and enjoy being an active teenage boy.

Ben plays on a cerebral palsy football team.

He added: “I feel more confident when wearing a Matrix because I know it will help me. It’s springy so it helps me run and jump!”

Enquires: For more information please contact

[email protected] or speak to the customer

services team on 0800 581 596.

Beagle Orthopaedic joins forces with Ottobock ...

assistive technologies june/july 2016

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