Award for Otto Bock's electronically controlled knee joint
9 March 2010
Mobility product supplier Otto Bock Healthcare has received
the prestigious 2009 award for ‘Prosthetic or Orthotic Product
Innovation’ from The Limbless Association for its E-MAG Active knee
joint.
The newly launched orthosis is the first electronically controlled
knee-joint system that provides a far greater level of mobility,
reliability and safety than a conventional orthosis.
E-MAG Active’s unique design works independently of the ankle
joint or sole of the foot. This means that even users with no ankle
functionality, caused by partial or complete paralysis as a result
of stroke, poliomyelitis or post polio syndrome, are still able to
achieve a natural, smoother gait pattern when walking. Patients are
therefore able to maximise mobility and independence in a secure way
improving overall quality of life.
The new lightweight knee-joint system (see photo above) opens and closes
automatically whilst walking, locking in the stance phase and
unlocking in the swing phase. An intelligent sensor system measures
the position of the leg during walking and electronically controls
the orthotic joint accordingly, locking and unlocking the joint
depending on forefoot load and knee extension. E-MAG Active gives
clear acoustic or vibration feedback to alert the user as to the
joint’s status.
Craig Stevens, Product Manager at Otto Bock Healthcare says,
“E-MAG Active has ushered in a new era in orthotics. The secure
stance and free swing phases give users a more natural walking
pattern, which enhances confidence and leads to a freer range of
movement and greater patient compliance. The feedback system also
eliminates a host of secondary problems often related to injury
caused as a result of a fall. Otto Bock is extremely pleased with
this award as it recognises significant innovation in orthotics.”
E-MAG Active is suitable for a body weight of up to 85 kg and
requires certain residual muscle functions or hyperextension of the
knee joint to guarantee consistent activation of the swing and
stance phases. Depending on types of activity, energy efficient
batteries will deliver up to 10,000 steps per day, although daily
recharging is recommended.