Assistive Technologes August/September 2015

INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE ISSUE 104 AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015 £6.95

By Dominic MusgraveTEN designers, developers andentrepreneurs have been named finalists inthe inclusive technology prize – acompetition intended to help unearth newproducts, technologies and systems for the12.2 million people living with a long termillness or disability in the UK.

The Inclusive Technology Prize is designedto champion the issue of assistivetechnology and encourage co-creation withdisabled people.

More than 200 ideas were entered,with thejudging panel whittling this down to just25 semi-finalists in March. They eachreceived £2,000 in addition to support fromLeonard Cheshire Disability’s Enterprise andInnovation Team to develop their ideas.

The 10 finalists will now each receive£10,000 as well as tailored support todevelop a prototype, conduct user testingand create viable business plans. A winnerwill be selected from the finalists in March2016 and awarded £50,000 to help bringtheir product to market.

Finalists for the prize include:

� HandyClix from National Star: Wheelchairlap belts require two hands to connectthem but many users are impaired in theuse of their hands. HandyClix is a one

handed lap belt designed to allow the userto attach and tighten it themselves.

� How do I? from Swiss Cottage School,Development and Research Centre: UsesNear Field Communication (NFC) to teachindependent living skills to those withlearning difficulties.

� Affordable Hands by Open Bionics: 3Dprinting of bionic hands that will be sold toamputees for £1,000 directly and helpingto promote independence, including,picking up forks, getting dressed, or goingto the bathroom.

Constance Agyeman, programme managerat Nesta, and on behalf of the Prize, said:“We’re looking forward to working withthe finalists to hone their inventions andhelp bring them one step closer to market.

“Each of the innovative solutions helps tobridge the gap for the millions of people inthe UK that struggle with everyday tasksand hope they inspire others to bring theirdigital and technological skills to bear forthis audience.”

The Inclusive Technology Prize is run byNesta in partnership with Leonard CheshireDisability and with support from theDepartment for Work and Pensions,Innovate UK, the Department for BusinessInnovation and Skills and Irwin Mitchell.

3D printed handsin the running for£50,000 first prize

A woman whose husband and daughter were killed in a speedboataccident has been named as the official ambassador of a new 10k runin London. Victoria Milligan lost her left leg in the incident in May 2013which took the lives of her husband Nick and daughter Emily, and nowwears a prosthetic. She will be one of thousands taking part in VitalityWestRun London on October 4 which starts on the New Kings Road andfinishes on Eel Brook Common, taking a picturesque route around thestreets of Fulham on fully closed roads. Victoria said: “I have never run10k before, but I am determined to cross the finish line regardless ofwhether I run, jog or walk, all in aid of Child Bereavement UK. If I can doit, really, anyone can.”

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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 ManagerEmail: [email protected]: 01226 734412 Fax: 01226 734478

Tony Barry Sales and Marketing DirectorEmail: [email protected]

[email protected] hour hotline: 01226 734695

Design/Production Stewart Holt Studio ManagerEmail: [email protected] Firth 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

Touch Bionics unveils i-limbquantum at ISPO Congress TOUCH Bionics has unveiled asignificant addition to the company’si-limb range of bionic hands at theInternational Society of Prosthetics &Orthotics (ISPO) World Congress inLyon, France.

The i-limb quantum incorporates thecompany’s patented i-mo™technology and is the first upperlimb prosthesis that can change gripswith a simple gesture.

“We were pleased to introduce the i-limb quantum at the ISPOCongress,” said Ian Stevens, CEO ofTouch Bionics. “The new handcombines unsurpassed functionalitywith design style.

“It is smarter, faster, stronger andsmaller than any of its predecessors.i-limb wearers can quickly utilise themany grips available through theactivation of gesture control using i-mo technology embedded in every i-limb quantum.”

“The i-limb quantum is the most

advanced prosthesis available forindividuals affected by limbdifferences,” said Rebekah Marine, i-limb wearer.

“I particularly appreciate the abilityto almost effortlessly choosedifferent grips using subtle butdistinct gestures.

“The new extra small size will appealin particular to female users andchildren.”

i-limb quantum – key enhancements:

Smarter – i-mo technology usessimple gestures to change grips.

Faster – boost digit speed by up to30 per cent.

Stronger – up to 30 per cent morepower when needed.

Smaller – anatomical styling nowavailable in three sizes.

Touch Bionics founder David Gow,the inventor of the i-Limb prosthetichand, was also recently presentedwith a CBE.

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

Rebekah Marine with the new i-limbquantum.

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Reducing waste in the NHS: Getting patientson the right pathway to the right personBy Simon Dickinson

I AM incredibly proud to be assistingBAPO in a national educationprogramme entitled ‘AssessmentDiagnosis and Treatment ofMusculoskeletal (MSK) Foot andAnkle Problems for Orthotists’.

The driving force that led to theeducation programme being createdwas due to NHS Scotland’s plan tohave all patients with MSK problemsassessed within four weeks by March31, 2016.

MSK consultations can take up to 20-30 per cent of GP consultations, andNHS Scotland states that MSKconditions are responsible for 10million lost work days annually. Theyalso state 22 per cent of people onincapacity benefit are suffering fromMSK conditions preventing themfrom being able to work. MSKconditions have a huge impact onindividuals and also have a widersocio-economic impact.

Unfortunately throughout the UKthere are significant differences in theways patients suffering NHSconditions can access treatment andoften there is significant duplicationbetween the GP, orthopaedic andrheumatology clinics and AHPservices. All too often patients seemto bounce from one medicalprofessional to another until they arefortunate enough to find themselvesin front of a skilled professional who

can actually treat their problem.

Recently a rather cheery neighbour ofmine was looking rather forlorn for achange. After enquiring if he was okhe explained why in his words hisworld had “fallen apart because ofthe bloody NHS!”

He proceeded to explain that sevenmonths ago he woke up onemorning with pain under his heel.Over a couple of weeks the painintensified and began to affect hisability to stand and work so he wentto his GP.

Over the next months he saw his GPthree times, was referred to see anorthopaedic surgeon and waitedeight weeks to see him. He had threephysiotherapy appointments andultimately was referred to an orthotistin Derby who provided him an insolethree weeks ago that relieved hispain almost immediately.

Three weeks before he received hisorthosis his employer dismissed himfrom work under their sickness policyas he was unable to stand all day atwork!

In his words “Why didn’t my GP justsend me to orthotics at Derby? Theyoung lady who treated me fixed meimmediately? Instead I have beentreated like a ping-pong ball beingbatted from one place to another”.

For one of the few times in my life Ididn’t have a decent reply, other than

“that shouldn’t have happened”.What I am certain of is that myneighbour could have been treatedeffectively and quickly and wouldtherefore still have a job!

My neighbour’s story is notuncommon in describing the journeymany patients go through in today’sNHS. They attend numerousappointments until eventually theysee someone who can actuallyprovide them with appropriatetreatment the need to get on withtheir lives. The financial cost ofpatients playing ping-pong isunknown to the NHS but I am certainit wastes millions of pounds everyyear. The impact of patients can also

not be quantified or understated.

NHS Scotland has a clear strategy onhow to tackle this problem.Interestingly their motivation is toreduce waiting times, improve patientexperience and reduce the pressureon orthopaedics.

Their “MSK & Orthopaedic QualityDrive” is focused on ensuringpatients with MSK conditions getrapid access to self-help and AHPservices.

They are collaboratively planning howthis will look based on the latestclinical evidence and all AHP groupsare working collaboratively to achievethis fantastic and necessary goal.More information can be found athttp://www.qihub.scot.nhs.uk/quality-and-efficiency/msk-and-orthopaedics-quality-drive.aspx

I firmly believe that AHP’s should beleading all MSK services, as co-ordinated team’s, ensuring patientssee the most appropriate AHP withinthat team. Patients can then be easilyreferred onto orthopaedic colleagues,if necessary, which would reducetheir workloads and surgical waittimes.

This would provide significant savingsto the NHS, have a positive socio-economic impact and thereforesignificantly reduce waste.

� Simon Dickinson is a clinicaldirector at TalarMade.

Simon Dickinson

A PROSTHETIC leg is the strangestthing that has been left in a hotel,its owners have revealed.

The list was revealed by ConferenceAston, a conference, hotel andevent venue in Birmingham.

Marketing manager Paul Bunce said:“Typically guests might leave behindphone chargers, socks ortoothbrushes.

“We sometimes find individualshoes in hotel rooms, so we musthave had some guests hop out ofthe hotel.

“However there are some items oflost property that guests don’t comeback for, and we think we knowwhy.

“We’ve had everything from fakeblood to artificial limbs left in ourrooms, and while we try our hardest

to return all lost property to itsrightful owner, we decided it wasabout time to have a rummagethrough our treasure chest and seewhat hasn’t yet been claimed.”

Conference Aston’s top 10 bizarrelost property items

� Prosthetic leg.

� £5,000 cash.

� Taxidermy owl.

� One litre of fake blood.

� Garden fork and spade gift set.

� Wedding dress.

� Crash helmet.

� Adult spiderman pyjamas.

� Inflatable elephant.

� A pair of toupees in differentcolours.

Prosthetic leg tops list of strangest items left at hotel

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Hospital physio Matthewto play part in £1m studyA PHYSIOTHERAPIST at the RoyalBournemouth and Christchurchhospitals has been selected to takepart in a groundbreaking studyexploring how philosophy can beused to unearth the causes ofcomplex, medically unexplainedsymptoms.

Matthew Low, lead clinicianmusculoskeletal physiotherapist, isone of a 27-strong research teammade up of physiotherapists, healthscientists and philosophers which hasbeen awarded a £1m grant by theResearch Council of Norway.

The team’s four-year study has beeninspired by people with complexmedical conditions such as chronicfatigue syndrome, irritable bowelsyndrome, lower back pain andfibromyalgia (widespread pain andpainful responses to pressure) thathave medically unexplainedsymptoms.

It is the largest project of its kind inboth healthcare and philosophy anddemonstrates a groundbreakingcollaboration between the sciencesand humanities.

Matthew, who has worked at theTrust for 12 years, said: “Medicallyunexplained means that we areunable to find a common set of

causes or obvious classifications forthese conditions. These arewidespread and some are estimatedto account for between 25-50 percent of symptoms reported todoctors in primary care.

“Each patient presents a uniquecombination of symptoms and aunique expression of their condition,and this project could lead toresearch methods that focus more onthe complexity of real-life clinicaldecision making rather than claimingto know the causes in a trial, givingus a more reliable outcome.”

The team is called ‘CauseHealth’ andhas its first meeting in October todiscuss the philosophical foundationsof causation and the impact that ithas on evidence based practice,research methodology and clinicalpractice.

Matthew Low

A DE Montfort University student isset to launch her own charity twoyears after losing part of her leg in ahorrific incident in New York.

While eating hot dogs in Manhattanwith a friend during a trip to NewYork City in August 2013, SianGreen’s life was changed forever asan out of control taxi mounted thepavement and trapped her left leg.Her leg could not be saved anddoctors amputated it below theknee.

Amazingly, Sian made it back toLeicester within two months toresume her studies on the FashionBuying course, and now she is set tograduate with a 2:1 later this month.

She said: “I flew back to the UK afterabout six weeks in hospital, andwithin a week of that I was back atuniversity.

“I had an awful lot of support; theuniversity was fantastic they just dideverything for me. It wasn’t hardcoming back at all.

“Obviously my second year was reallystressful – I barely even rememberhanding work in – so I’m reallypleased. I really didn’t think I’d dothat well.”

On top of managing to complete herstudies at DMU, Sian is in the processof setting up her own charity, theSian Green Foundation, to help otherpeople like herself.

The Sian Green Foundation, whichSian hopes will be ready to launch bythe autumn, will provide care andsupport for amputees who requirespecialist prosthetic limbs, some ofwhich can cost more than £10,000.

She says the biggest difference sinceher accident has been to her view onlife.

“It’s changed my whole outlook onlife,” added Sian. “Things like yourhair being out of place on aparticular day or whatever, theymean absolutely nothing comparedto some of the things other peoplego through. I think that’s the lessonI’ve learned.”

That said, Sian is excited about a newprosthetic foot she’s waiting toreceive – one which will allow her tostart wearing high heels again.

She added: “It’s nearly been twoyears now that I haven’t worn a heel.Hopefully in a few weeks I’ll haveone (the new prosthetic foot) which Ireally can’t wait for!”

Sian launches charityto support amputees

Sian Green lost part of her leg in a horrific incident in New York.

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Bombings survivor visitsstaff who cared for herA SURVIVOR of the July 7 Londonbombings has returned to St Thomas’Hospital to visit the staff who caredfor her 10 years ago.

Gill Hicks had both her legsamputated after being severelyinjured on 7/7. Over the course ofthree months she learned to walkagain using prosthetic limbs.

Accompanied by her two-year-olddaughter Amelie, Gill met DameEileen Sills, chief nurse at Guy’s andSt Thomas’, who was one of the firstpeople Gill saw when she regainedconsciousness.

She then visited Luke Ward whereshe had spent months recovering. Gillwas overjoyed to find physiotherapistMatthew Fuller, nurse Lucy Ford, andsenior nursing assistant FatimaEretusi, waiting for her in the ward.All three were instrumental to hercare back in 2005.

Gill said: “St Thomas’ is the finalplace where my life was saved on7/7. The decisions made by thehealth professionals here determinedmy future. I wasn’t expected tosurvive when I was brought in, butthree months later I walked out andstarted my second life.

“The staff who cared for me aregorgeous, wonderful people and I’llalways be grateful for what theydid.”

Dame Eileen Sills added: “We werethrilled to welcome Gill back to StThomas' so that she could catch upwith the staff who worked with herin 2005. 7/7 was a terrible day thatnone of us will ever forget. To see apatient like Gill 10 years later, with allher optimism and enthusiasm for lifeafter everything she’s been through,is absolutely inspirational."

Following her recovery, Gill

established the charity MAD (Makinga Difference) for Peace and worksthrough public engagement andeducation to encourage greaterunderstanding and willingness toresolve conflict and division.

Having moved back to her nativeAustralia in 2013, Gill has beenundertaking 10 challenges to mark10 years since 7/7.

She returned to London to completea sponsored abseiling challengefundraising for Guy’s and St Thomas’and to participate in events markingthe anniversary.

Gill Hicks and her daughter Amelie with the St Thomas’ Hospital staff who cared for her.

The Health and Care Professions Councilhas announced that Elaine Buckley,Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Healthand Wellbeing at Sheffield HallamUniversity, has been appointed as theirnew chair. Elaine Buckley, who willcontinue in her role at Sheffield Hallampart-time, officially took up her new poston July 1. She replaced Dr Anna van derGaag CBE. Elaine provides academicleadership within the Faculty of Healthand Wellbeing, who are one of the largestproviders of healthcare training in the UK.She said: “I am pleased to have beenappointed chair of HCPC and will build onthe legacy left by Anna van der Gaag. Akey priority for me in particular will be tocontinue to build evidence basedregulation processes and to promote thewider benefits of being a regulatedprofessional.”

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Kelly Gallagher MBE and Charlotte Evans received a DUniv for distinction in sport.

University honoursWinter Paralympicsgold medal skiers QUEEN’S University, Belfast recentlyhonoured two very specialsportswomen for their outstandingtalent and determination.

Kelly Gallagher MBE was the firstathlete from Northern Ireland tocompete in the Winter Paralympics. Agraduate in mathematics from theUniversity of Bath, she won Britain’sfirst Winter Paralympic Gold forskiing during Sochi 2014.

Born with the genetic conditionoculocutaneous albinism, she isregistered blind and on snow uses asighted guide, Charlotte Evans. Theywere each awarded a DUniv fordistinction in sport.

Kelly lives in Bangor, Co Down andbefore she came to internationalsporting fame worked as astatistician with the Northern IrelandCivil Service. Just before she wasselected for the British disabled SkiTeam, Kelly began a part-timeMaster’s course in the School ofSociology, Social Policy and SocialWork at Queen’s, which is currentlyon hold.

She said: “I am delighted to behonoured in this way by Queen’s,which has a well-deserved reputationnot only for academic excellence butfor impacting on society andchanging lives. That sense ofempowering students to fulfill theirdreams and ambitions is somethingabout which I am passionate . It isvery fitting that both Charlotte and Iare awarded for our unique andindividual roles in achieving ourgoals. I am really pleased that we arehonoured together.”

As the sighted guide for Kelly,Englishwoman Charlotte helped winthe gold for skiing in the women’sSuper-G in the 2014 WinterParalympic Games. This jointachievement marked Britain's firstWinter Paralympic Gold medal.

A former English skiing champion inher own right, Charlotte becameinterested in coaching and workingas a guide while going through rehabfor an injury. She has spent the pastfour years as the sighted guide forKelly.

DONATIONS in memory of EdwardW. G. Thomas and Heinz Schmidtkehas bought two Molifts for EpsomHospital’s Stroke Unit and MedicalWards.

The £840 Molift Raiser looks like anupright porter’s trolley, but will servea useful purpose for physiotherapists

and patients alike on the medical andstroke wards at Epsom GeneralHospital.

This equipment enables patients tostand up at an earlier stage in theirrehab and reduces the large gapbetween an electric hoist andwalking equipment.

Specialist lifts bought with donations

Hospital uses iPads tohelp stroke sufferersimprove their speechTECHNOLOGY is helping strokepatients in Lincolnshire to improvetheir speech and language skills.

New iPads are now in use in strokeunits at Lincoln, Boston Pilgrim andGrantham hospitals, supportingspeech and language therapists withintensive therapy sessions for patientswith swallowing and communicationdifficulties.

The seven iPads have been paid forwith thanks to a charitable donationof almost £3,000 from theLincolnshire-based Bromhead MedicalCharity.

Speech and language therapists fromLincolnshire Community HealthServices NHS Trust are part of themulti-disciplinary teams workingalongside colleagues from UnitedLincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust toassess, diagnose and treat patientsimmediately following a stroke.

Angela Shimada, advanced speechand language therapist at LCHS, said:“Traditionally, we have used a rangeof therapy exercises, including drillsand exercises with a pen and paper.However, this can be repetitive forpatients who are now used to usingtechnology in their day-to-dayroutines.

“The advances in technology meanwe can offer patients the use of thelatest therapy apps, and the tabletsoffer extra motivation and incentiveto stimulate patients. Each iPad offers

the ability to record and playbacksound and videos, and theopportunity for patients to continuetherapy in between professionally-ledsessions at their bedside.”

“The iPads are already proving to bea popular and useful addition totherapy for both patients and staff,and on behalf of everyone in thestroke team I would like to say aspecial thank you to the BromheadMedical Charity.”

Steve Taylor, of the charity, added:"We are delighted to have supportedstroke patients throughoutLincolnshire in this innovative way.It's part of nearly £4million we havegranted to individuals and healthcareorganisations in Lincolnshire since2001.”

Cecil Hunter with Angela Shimada,advanced practitioner stroke specialistspeech and language therapist atLincolnshire Community Health ServicesNHS Trust.

BRACE Orthopaedic has unveiled itsfirst specialist Fitting Centre in the UKfor its innovative range oforthopaedic braces and supports inpartnership with Sprint Physiotherapy,a boutique physiotherapy and sportsinjury clinic in Kensington, London.

The collaboration with SprintPhysiotherapy starts with specialistfitting of the Jack PCL knee brace, aproduct that offers rehabilitativetreatment for posterior cruciateligament injuries.

Clive Mitchell, managing director ofBrace Orthopaedic, said: “Patientoutcomes with this brace areexcellent and now that it’s so widelyknown and trusted by orthopaedicknee surgeons and leading sportsphysiotherapists, demand is reachingever higher levels.”

With ever increasing demand fromknee surgeons for the Jack PCL, Clivesaid it was vital to find a partner whocould deliver a consistently

professional fitting service.

Clive added: “I’m really pleased tohave been able to find such an idealpartner – Sprint Physiotherapy sharesour ethos for innovation and thehighest standards of customer care.

“Their team of highly qualifiedclinicians will help us deliver a localspecialist fitting service andprofessional rehabilitationmanagement that’s second to none.”

The Sprint Physiotherapy FittingCentre is Brace Orthopaedic’s firstlocal specialist fitting service and thecompany has plans to offer morecentres across the UK and Ireland.

Anj Periyasamy, clinic director ofSprint Physiotherapy, said: “We’revery pleased to partner with BraceOrthopaedic – the company fitshand-in-hand with our mission ofproviding our patients with the bestcontinued care after injury orsurgery.”

Firms join to launch firstFitting Centre in London

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Pace Rehabilitation is privileged toprovide ongoing support to 10athletes who have each earned theright to represent their countrieswithin their chosen sports.

These, in addition to many otherprosthetic users at Pace who enjoysport at varying levels, all rely on theirprostheses for performance.However, the prosthesis itself is justone small piece of a much largerjigsaw puzzle.

Primarily, the prosthetic socket needsto offer the highest levels of comfort,stability and control.

Often the requirements from thesocket of a sports specific designdiffer from one intended for moredaily activities, or a lap of thesupermarket.

Setting up and aligning theprosthesis with high performancecomponentry requires expertinvolvement from experiencedclinicians, working in conjunctionwith coaches and sports scientists.

In addition, the prosthetist willconsider a selection of interfacematerials and types of suspension.

Working with an experiencedphysiotherapist, using their

collaborative understanding ofmovement patterns and anatomy,will influence the socket design,volume and shape, so as to cater forthe correct muscle usage andrequirements within the socketduring sport performance.

Temporary socket designs are oftenused to allow initial set up andalignment to be tested andchallenged.

Often as techniques improve, thealignment will need to be adjustedaccordingly, thereby making the usetemporary prosthetic socket designsand trials invaluable.

It is common practice for Paceclinicians to work with the athleteand the prosthesis in their usualtraining and competitionenvironment, whether that be on anathletics track, cycling velodrome orski slope.

Real time motion is often too quickfor interpretation by the naked eye.

Therefore, the use of slow motionvideo footage is regularly used toallow for analysis and fine tuning.

Once the optimal design, comfortand alignment have been achieved,particular care must be taken by

‘The aggregation of marginal gains’experienced manufacturingtechnicians to achieve the idealbalance between optimal strengthand lightweight construction, to thepoint where every gram may count incompetition.

Careful shaping of devices isrequired, considering propertieswhich are determined in windtunnels and using aerodynamicsimulation software, with theinvolvement of specialists in theirfields.

Aside from the clinical expertise andsports science collaboration, there isno short cut or escape from the hardwork, commitment anddetermination required by the user ifsuccess is to be achieved.

The experience, knowledge andtechniques developed from workingwith high performance amputees isapplied to all prosthetic usersattending Pace Rehabilitation, whoseequally important goal is comfortableand safe day to day use.

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Promedics has promoted Carol Leech tothe role of sales director. CEO DavidBaxendale said: “I am delighted toannounce that Carol Leech is now salesdirector for the company. Carol has been amajor factor in Promedics’ growth in thepast few years, and this promotion comesin recognition for all her hard work. I amsure that Carol’s drive and knowledge willcontinue to help Promedics on to furthersuccesses in the coming years.”

Meningitis patient embracesfootball fever with new legsSOME die-hard football fans turn totattoos to show their loyalties fortheir beloved clubs, but a patient atthe Royal Bournemouth Hospitalhas gone one step further.

Mike Chinchen, 46, had both of hislegs amputated below the kneesafter contracting meningitis back in2002. After years of rehabilitationand trialling a number of differentprosthetic styles, he now boasts aset of state-of-the-art artificial legswhich have been branded in thetraditional team colours of BarclaysPremier League newcomers AFCBournemouth.

Prosthetist Caroline McNerney wasresponsible for designing the newlegs. She said: “Nowadays we havethe ability to personalise prostheticswith all sorts of designs, and bothMike and I came up with the ideato manufacture a pair themedaround his beloved AFCBournemouth.

“The football club kindly donatedus two shirts which we cut up intothe shape of Mike’s new legs andlaminated them using a specialcarbon resin. The result has beenfantastic and we are all delighted

with the outcome.”

Mike has been an AFCBournemouth fan ever since he canremember and is a season ticketholder at the Goldsands Stadium,attending home matches with hisyoung son.

He said: “I’m delighted with howthe legs have turned out, and I’mlooking forward to hearing thecomments from my son when hesees them, and from fellow

supporters when I attend the nexthome game.

“Caroline and her team at theRoyal Bournemouth Hospital havebeen absolutely brilliant. They havesupported me through what hasbeen a really difficult few years andI wouldn’t be at this point withoutthem. I’m proud to wear my newlegs and, thanks to the team, I havesome that stand out and make abold statement.”

Mike Chinchen with the Royal Bournemouth Hospital staff that cared for him.

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DMO Sport is the new facet of DMOrthotics which applies itself tosports performance andrehabilitation.

The brand’s products are anextension of the medical side of thebusiness, applying its knowledge andtechnology to musculoskeletalinjuries and posture management inorder to help athletes recover frominjury as well as improve techniqueand performance.

The products are used by able-bodiedand disabled athletes alike and haveproven themselves as invaluabletraining aids to some of the world’selite including; Premiership andChampionship League footballteams, Premiership andChampionship rugby teams as well asmembers of the 2012 Team GBOlympic and Paralympic teams.

Like DM Orthotics’ medical products,the orthoses are a custom fit,providing the athlete with a uniquesolution to individual needs.

2012 Team GB Paralympic sprinter(T35 classification) Sophia Warner,who has cerebral palsy, is one suchathlete who benefitted from usingtheir shorts. Having tried every formof rigid bracing she neededsomething that was comfortable andnot restrictive. As a seriouscompetitive athlete her coach knewthere were great opportunities fortechnical changes and improvementsahead of the London 2012.

Sophia said: “My primary problemhas always been my leg position –they both roll inwards. In the past

this has caused injury to my ankles,instability when running quickly andit also makes it very difficult togenerate explosive power. The otherreal inhibitor is that it reduces myknee lift – something which isessential to sprinting technique.”

Sophia’s coach Jonas Taiwah was alsoimpressed.

He added: “Sophia’s main problemwas that she was using muscles forstability instead of power down herleft side which made her inefficient.The shorts changed this. This vastlyincreased the stability in her left leg,which in turn increased her stridelength, improving her poweroutput.”

Sophia added: “The shorts played anintegral part in my preparation forthe 2012 Paralympic Games. Theywere re-tuning my neurologicalsystem and were brilliant as atraining tool both on and off thetrack. My training became so muchmore effective. My posture wascorrected and this doubled the levelof my strength training making memore powerful.

“My technical ability vastly improvedand everything my coach was tellingme to do, started to feel a lot morenatural – I had a lot less to thinkabout and that meant I couldconcentrate on technique whichhelped me to greatly improve mytimes. I still wear my shorts regularlyboth in and out of training.”

For more details on the DMO Sportrange and Sophia’s full story visitwww.dmorthotics.com./sport

Paralympian’s performanceimproved with DMO Sport’scustom-made orthoses

2012 Team GB Paralympic sprinter (T35 classification) Sophia Warner.

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sponsors podiatry

THE CEO of a leading medicaltechnology company has called forgreater emphasis to be placed on theprevention of diabetic foot ulcersrather than wound care.

Hugh Sheridan, CEO of ALG, wasspeaking after attending the seventhInternational Symposium on theDiabetic Foot in The Hague.

Sheridan said: “For years, the woundcare industry has dominated thesubject of diabetic foot, but thefeedback I received at the conferencewas that there was a desire for theagenda to move more towardspreventative action.

“ALG believes passionately that weshould be considering the 380 millionpeople affected by diabetesworldwide rather than the 12 percent who have a foot ulcer.

“For too long, the provision ofconsumable wound dressings hasdominated the market as opposed toprevention methods which candrastically reduce the risk of ulcersoccurring.”

Michelle Weddell, head of educationfor ALG, gave a talk entitled “Wedon’t believe in ulcers”, stressing theimportance of pre-ulcer offloading

using foot orthotics.

Plantar Callus, a risk factor forulceration, indicates abnormal footpressures and occurs most frequentlyunder the metatarsal heads.

Michelle explained that NICEguidelines in the UK for Type 2Diabetes foot problems, preventionand management highlighted thebenefits of specially designed insolesas inserts to patients’ shoes or incombination with specially designedshoes to reduce abnormal footpressures and foot ulcers.

Michelle said: “Diabetes affects morethan 380 million people worldwideand by 2030 this figure will haverisen to 550 million – 10 per cent ofthe world’s adult population.

“In certain parts of the world there isno national guidance on diabetic footand no real prevention. The focusinstead is on wound care, but withthe right podiatry care upondiagnosis of diabetes, these ulcerswould not have been allowed todevelop. This would lead tosignificant long-term healthcaresavings.

“At The Hague and also recently inthe Middle East, I spoke about the

importance of offloading andbiomechanics. Proper offloading iscritical to the prevention of diabeticfoot ulcers.”

The seventh International Symposiumon the Diabetic Foot – held onceevery four years – brought togethermore than 1,500 delegates from over100 countries.

Diaped, the global diabetic foot carebrand owned by ALG, showcased anumber of key products including:

Diaped Duosoft Flow insolesdesigned for patients with diabetesand other conditions which result in

sensitive feet.

Solesee – an easy-to-use mirror forpeople with high risk feet conditions.

Non-contact digital thermometer –an early warning tool in the fightagainst neuropathic ulceration.

Diaped Flux-200 – pocket-sizeDoppler to detect and evaluate bloodflow for vascular assessment indiabetic foot.

Diaped’s sister brand, Aortha, aspecialist in orthotics and prosthetics,exhibited its 3D insole technologywhich can print a pair of insoles in anhour, has already attracted significantinterest in the UK and North America.

The breakthrough will allow custom-made and more supportive insoles tobe created six times faster thananything else on the market.

Sheridan said: “The 3D printingmarket is moving quickly and thetremendous feedback we have hadfrom customers demonstrates thatwe are creating somethingsignificant.

“Aortha OrthaPrint and AorthaOrthaFlex will provide orthotists andpodiatrists with the ability to print apair of insoles in an hour.”

Prevention winning battle overwound care, claims firm’s CEO

Hugh Sheridan

PROFESSOR Wesley Vernon OBEhas become the president of theSociety of Shoe Fitters for thenext two years.

Wesley qualified as a podiatristin 1980 and his accolades includegaining a PhD for footwearrelated research in 2000 andbecoming a qualified shoe fitterthrough the society in 2009.

He said: “During my time inoffice I would like to see thesociety continue to support theneeds of our traditionalmembership – the footwearretailers – while at the same timereaching out to more practisinghealth professionals, to promotethe benefits of their involvementwith the society througheducation, testing, membership

and inter-organisationalcollaboration.

“I would particularly like to seemore cross fertilisation ofknowledge – for examplethrough society presence andpresentation at podiatryconferences and perhaps evenconsidering hosting similarconference events ourselves.

“However I strongly believe thatany moves in this directionshould not be at the expense ofour traditional membership.

“I would also like to see morefootwear retailers investing intheir staff to give the public thebest possible fit and the benefitof educated advice to accompanytheir purchase.”

Wesley named Society president for next two years

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medi UK is delighted to announcethe launch of a new range of kneebraces manufactured from our ownnew and innovative Airtex+ material.

Airtex+ is designed first and foremostfor comfort, because we recognisethat this drives overall compliance.Knitted to our unique specification toprovide a compressive fit, Airtex+actually behaves like a memory foamto provide maximum conformity andcomfort with the limb, to help reduceindividual areas that could rub thepatient.

The addition of a “Pure” technologyof impregnated silver ions keepsbacteria at bay. The added“Adaptive” technology helps thefabric to breath by contracting theindividual knitted fibres when warmwhich allows airflow and subsequentcooling; while conversely expandingthe fibres when cool to help trap airwhich then helps insulate thepatients limb.

PT Control is a soft brace developedfor patella tracking control withoptional flexion / extension limitation.It can be used for conservative orpost-surgical management of patellarluxation. The unique physioglidehinge has an external lateral bar thatextrudes during flexion to provide

direct pressure to the lateral side ofthe patellar to help preventdislocation during the mostdangerous phase of gait.

Collamed is a longer wrap aroundfunctional knee brace with optionalflexion / extension limitation of itsunique physioglide hinge. Available insix sizes ranging from 31 to 74cmthigh circumference, a comfortablefit is assured and four circumferentialstraps ensure a snug fit is maintainedduring the period of wear.

Stabimed is shorter version ofCollamed and shares many featuressuch as a hollow netting area in thepopliteal area to provide maximumcomfort during flexion and siliconestrips on the inside to preventmigration during gait. The tool freeexchange of the flexion / extensionstops ensures that fitting is quick andeasy too.

Stabimed Pro completes the range ofAirtex+ products which is a shorterpull on version that is ideal foryounger and more active patientsrequiring knee support.

Enquiries: Visit shop.mediuk.co.uk orwww.mediuk.co.uk or call01432 373500 for a demo.

medi UK launches newrange of knee bracesusing Airtex+ material

Ottobock unveils new rigidspinal braces and collarsOTTOBOCK has launched a world-class range of rigid spinal braces andcollars.

Designed to treat the majority ofspinal conditions from whiplashtrauma to sacroiliac joint dysfunction,the new Smartspine range employsan unparalleled single-pulley systemthat delivers maximum symmetricalcompression, conforming perfectly tothe patient’s anatomy.

This pulley, which features extremelyhard-wearing cords whose smoothmantle causes very little friction,ensures that even frail, elderlypatients are able to don their bracewith very little effort, yet optimaltherapeutic benefit.

Constructed of a thin, open-structurematerial that is highly breathable,and with a slimline, modern design,

the Smartspine braces deliveroptimum comfort that further boostscompliance.

Their simple mechanism makes themstraightforward to fit and equallyeasy to explain to patients and theircarers: another bonus in a busy clinic.

Enquiries: For more information callOttobock on 0845 600 7664.

E-step makes walking easierTHE DM Orthotics E-step is a hybridneuromuscular stimulation systemwhich incorporates the DMO MedicalDorsiflex Sock.

It combines FES with ankle supportand proprioception to provide a morenatural walking pattern which avoidsunnecessary and excessive eversioncreated by some FES systems.

The E-step features Flexi-trode®silicone polymer technology, allowingthe stimulator’s electrodes to beeasily placed in precisely the positioneach time it is worn.

This ensures the unit is set up foroptimum use every time while alsoaddressing compliance issuesassociated with skin irritation andhygiene.

Effective for:

� Drop foot of a central neurologicalorigin (stroke, CP, MS, ABI).

� Other conditions with similarsymptoms to drop foot may

sometimes benefit.

Provides:

� Dorsiflexiontimed to yourpattern of walking.

� Extension of thetoes for betterstability andimproved gait.

� Anklestabilisationthrough heel strike.

� Automaticadaptation to your gait as you walk.

� A more natural foot position atheel strike.

� Comfortable and discreet.

� Wireless Bluetooth pressure switchand motion tilt sensor for improvedgait pattern.

Enquiries: For more information visitwww.dmorthotics.com

TalarMade are pleased to announcethe launch of their new AmbulatoryPressure Relief Boot.

The APRB is a welcome addition toTalarMade’s pressure care portfolioand can be used for the preventionand treatment of heel ulcers.

It is designed to allow patients totransfer and ambulate short distanceswhilst offloading the posterior heeland can also be used to offload theheel and prevent contractures at theankle whilst the patient is in bed.

This highly cost-effective product hasthe following key features:

� Easily removable sole plate toprevent contamination of bed sheetsfollowing ambulation without theneed for tools.

� Soft, breathable, washable liner.

� Adjustable length toe support.

� Anti-rotation bar.

� Available in two sizes.

For more information and pricing call01246 268456, email [email protected]

or visit www.talarmade.com

APRB added to portfolio

Education continues ...BEAGLE Orthopaedic deliveredanother successful Spinal Study Dayin Dublin recently.

Joining us was over 60 delegates,taking time out of their busyschedule on what was a glorious day.

The day started with an interestinglecture on the current treatments ofspinal problems from Adi Zubovich ofOur Lady of Lourdes Hospital.

A morning of presentations followedfrom Rosemary Masterson (nursetutor) and Paddy Julian(physiotherapist) discussing theirvarious roles when treating a spinalpatient.

After lunch the afternoon comprisedworkshops on the manual handlingof a spinal patient to practicaldemonstrations of fitting andremoval and re-fitting of spinalproducts from Collars right throughto TLSO’s.

We strongly believe in the clinicalefficacy of our products. Providingeducational support, to improvepatient outcomes forms a large partof our company ethos and our brandpromise.

The feedback from these days isalways magnificent.

If you or your team would like furtherinformation on the Study Days or organise

a dedicated spinal training session thencontact Michelle Beaumont on

01254 268788.

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Documents

Assistive Technologes August/September 2015