Assistive Technologies October/November 2010

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INNOVATION FOR INDEPENDENCE

ISSUE 75 October/November 10 £6.95

‘Lightning fast connections may be within reach’

By Dominic Musgrave LIGHTNING fast connections between robotic limbs and the human brain may be within reach for injured soldiers and other amputees with the establishment of a multi-million dollar research centre.

Led by scientists at Southern Methodist University and funded by a Department of Defense initiative, the $5.6million Neurophotonics Research Center will develop twoway fibre optic communication between prosthetic limbs and peripheral nerves.

Marc Christensen, Center director and electrical engineering chair at the University’s Lyle School of Engineering, said the connection will be key to operating realistic robotic arms, legs and hands that not only move like the real thing, but also ‘feel’ sensations like pressure and heat.

He added: “Enhancing human performance with modern digital technologies is one of the great frontiers in engineering “Providing this kind of port to the nervous system will enable not only realistic prosthetic limbs, but also can be applied to treat spinal cord injuries and an array of neurological disorders. Every movement or sensation a human being is capable of has a nerve signal at its root. The reason we feel heat is because a nerve is stimulated, telling the

brain there's heat there.”

Successful completion of the fibre optic link will allow for sending signals seamlessly between the brain and artificial limbs, allowing amputees revolutionary freedom of movement and agility. The goal of the Center is to develop a link compatible with living tissue that will connect powerful computer technologies to the human nervous system through hundreds or even thousands of sensors embedded in a single fibre.

Marc said that unlike experimental electronic nerve interfaces made of metal, fibre optic technology would not be rejected or destroyed by the body’s immune system.

He added: “Team members have been developing the individual pieces of the solution over the past few years, but with this new funding we are able to push the technology forward into an integrated system that works at the cellular level.

“The ultimate combination of advanced optical nerve stimulation and nerve-sensing technologies will create a complete, two-way interface that does not currently exist. It will revolutionise the field of brain interfaces.

Science fiction writers have long imagined the day when the understanding and intuition of the human brain could be enhanced by the lightning speed of computing technologies.”

A star-studded line-up of pop singers raised more than £500,000 for Help for Heroes in a spectacular charity concert held at Twickenham Stadium. Performers included Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow, Tom Jones (pictured), Pixie Lott, Katherine Jenkins, The Saturdays, Alesha Dixon, former Army officer James Blunt and Alexandra Burke. 60,000 fans packed the stadium, including military guests from the rehabilitation centre at Headley Court.

Picture: Gary Kearney

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Programme to Metronome could help stroke survivors boost health with innovative technologies A JOINT project is looking into how listening to a regular beat could help stroke survivors improve their walking and reduce the risk of a fall.

By Dominic Musgrave THE University of Warwick has joined forces with NHS West Midlands to create the new Institute of Digital Healthcare.

The five-year programme based in the new International Digital Laboratory is aimed at improving people’s health and wellbeing through the use of innovative technologies.

The Institute is led by two codirectors, professor of eHealth innovation Jeremy Wyatt and professor of healthcare technology Christopher James.

Jeremy said the Institute is tackling a number of issues, including the use of monitoring and communication devices to support people in their own homes, and improving the communication within and between health and social care teams.

He added: “After many pilot studies, we are now in a position to design and carry out large scale rigorous trials to answer key generic questions about how health systems should use these technologies to improve the quality, efficiency and safety of

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their services for people with long term conditions.

“We will be working with the local NHS, small businesses and others to generate the evidence needed to help policy makers, clinicians and patients decide how to invest in and make best use of these new digital healthcare technologies.

“This unique partnership provides us with insight to design, develop, deploy and evaluate a wide range of healthcare technologies to address a range of healthcare scenarios.”

As part of the Institute’s launch, there are a series of international conferences planned over the next few years. The first, Advances in Digital Healthcare: Telehealth and Mobile Health, will take place on October 7.

The aim is to review research activities and achievement in telehealth and mobile health in the West Midlands and beyond.

The conference will include invited speakers presenting on key aspects of digital healthcare as well as a variety of oral presentations and posters.

The new study by researchers from the University of Birmingham and the University of Worcester has been launched to find out how the use of a metronome, a device used by musicians to keep to a beat, could aid stroke patients.

According to the Department of Health every year approximately 110,000 people in England have a stroke, which is the single largest cause of adult disability.

Dr Rachel Wright, post doctoral research fellow at the University of Birmingham’s School of Psychology, said about 80 per cent of people who have had a stroke suffer a degree of muscle weakness associated with one side, which could lead to an uneven walking pattern.

She added: “An uneven walk can lead to a greater risk of a fall, and once someone has suffered a fall they can be fearful of falling again.

“This can prevent people from participating in activities that they once enjoyed because they are so worried about falling over.

“Through this research we hope to look at how the use of a metronome can help to regulate a stroke patient’s walk and help them to achieve symmetry.”

Rachel is currently looking for stroke

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Dr Rachel Wright assesses a patient

survivors to take part in the research, which will take place at University of Worcester’s state-of-the-art Motion Performance Centre.

She added: “We hope that the results will be used to design a home-based exercise programme which stroke survivors can use as part of their rehabilitation.”

The three-year project is being funded by The Stroke Association, and research liaison officer Dr Sharlin Ahmed says they are looking forward to hearing how it progresses.

She added: “For many stroke survivors walking speed is reduced significantly after a stroke and walking with ease, in a straight line can be incredibly difficult.

“It’s great that further research is being carried out in this area and new techniques are being explored to help stroke survivors with their ongoing recovery.”

Injured servicemen crew boat at yachting regatta SEVERELY injured troops from Headley Court crewed a boat at the annual Cowes Week yachting regatta.

The boat 'British Soldier', operated by the charity Toe in the Water, is now in its third season. It was launched to give military personnel recovering from injuries at the defence medical rehabilitation centre the opportunity to accelerate the process by competitive race sailing.

Seven of the 22-man squad were from Headley Court, with injuries ranging from shattered hands and missing calf muscles to amputated limbs.

Tanya Brookfield, the charity's director and one of the founders, said the rolling motion of the sea can often help service personnel that would otherwise struggle with their balance on terra firma.

She added: ‘We are not about disabled sailing; you won't find us using specially adapted boats or anything like that.

It's all about putting these people up against able-bodied crews in a highly competitive race sailing environment.”

Private Dean Caudley, who lost his left leg in a roadside bomb incident in Afghanistan, competes at Cowes Week.

Picture: Chris Fletcher

If you’ve got a story for us please ring our healthcare editor Dominic Musgrave on 01226 734407 or email: dm@whpl.net ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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Occupational therapist suspended for 12 months AN occupational therapist has been suspended from the Health Professions Council Register for a year.

Victoria Headley failed to meet adequate standards in clinical reports, failed to prioritise workload which resulted in patients’ discharges being delayed and failed to communicate effectively with patients while employed by the Central Essex Community Services.

A panel of the HPC’s conduct and competence committee heard how Victoria admitted to conducting an inappropriate relationship with a client who was receiving treatment from the Acorn programme, an intense psychotherapy programme for women.

It further heard that she was allocated a caseload of 25 per cent of that expected of other band five occupational therapists in the service.

Panel chair Jacki Pearce said that despite full time support and supervision from the line manager, the registrant failed to work effectively and to manage her caseload.

She added: “The Panel has been presented with evidence which indicates that the registrant cooperated fully throughout the formal supervision period and that there were some improvements in the registrant’s practice during supervision, but these were not sustained.

“The Panel has concluded that the registrant’s failings amount to a lack of competence as opposed to a deliberate act on the part of the registrant.”

Victoria was neither present nor represented at the hearing.

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Army amputee takes the plunge for charity A TRIPLE amputee was among 60 adrenaline seekers who conducted a parachute jump over Wiltshire to raise money for soldiers, former soldiers and their families.

Corporal Andy Reid, from 3rd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, suffered severe injuries from an improvised device while serving in Afghanistan last autumn.

As a result of the explosion he lost both legs and his right arm.

He is receiving ongoing treatment for his left arm, which was also damaged and is now fitted with a metal plate.

Andy, who jumped with a specially qualified tandem instructor, said The Soldiers'

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Charity helped adapt his home for wheelchair use.

He added: “I just want to prove to people and other soldiers that just because you're injured it doesn't stop you having a normal life doing things. Whatever you want to do you can still carry on and do it.

“When you jump, you can’t see the ground. It's just a massive adrenaline rush as you pop through the clouds and you see the earth rushing towards you.

“It was awesome. I always knew I could get back and do this sort of thing but I never thought it would be this soon.”

Those taking part jumped from

up to 13,000 feet (4,000m), with approximately 45 seconds of freefall. At 5,000 feet (1,500m), the instructor opened the parachute, giving a five-minute canopy ride over the Wiltshire countryside.

Andy added: “I wouldn't call myself a hero. There are people in worse condition than myself. But I hope I do inspire other people to get on with their lives. It’s been a bit of a challenge. Getting up there into the plane and learning what to do. It has been a challenge, every day's a challenge really, but you just take them on board and get over them.”

The event aimed to raise at least £12,000 for charity.

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Hip op praise for hospital NEWS

BASILDON Hospital has been praised for the way it cares for patients needing hip operations.

An in-depth report, published by the Royal College of Surgeons, has found the hospital’s “shared care” approach to dealing with hip fracture patients, has resulted in fewer patients dying as a result of the operation.

The approach sees different medics going together on ward rounds to help assess patients and put them at ease.

As a result the hospital’s mortality risk ratio has gone from the national average of eight per cent to just under five per cent.

Rob Wakeman, a lead clinician in orthopaedic surgery and a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Basildon Hospital, works with Dr Shilpa Raje, a consultant geriatrician, to assess patients.

He said: “The shared care approach is important, as it allows our patients to get a better allround health assessment.

“We can spot any potential problems, which might affect recovery, such as chest infections.

“If good medical care and rehabilitation follow prompt surgery, it allows early recovery and the patient can get home quicker.”

Rob Wakeman

The report shows that at Basildon Hospital: 85 per cent of patients have a pre-operative assessment by a geriatrician, physician or specialist nurse (compared to 62 per cent nationally).

97 per cent of patients have a specialist fall risk assessment (compared to 63 per cent nationally).

99.7 per cent of patients have a bone health assessment and

treatment, before going home.

More than 80 per cent have continual bone health assessments once admitted to hospital (compared to 76 per cent nationally).

98 per cent of patients have a bone health protection and falls assessment to prevent further injury (compared to 71 per cent nationally).

Rob added: “Hip fractures are threatening to overwhelm trauma and orthopaedic units, and it is the

responsibility of clinicians and managers to work together to come up with solutions to improve patient care in their hospital.

“We are seeing lots of evidence from around the UK that big improvements in the quality of hip fracture care can be achieved in a short space of time.

“It is vital that those few units that are still under-performing use this guidance and the examples of best practice to improve services in line with the rest of the UK.”

Mobility study invitation to stroke patients STROKE patients are being invited to take part in a study which is looking at rehabilitation and mobility.

The new scheme being run from Lincoln County Hospital in conjunction with Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit, is aimed at improving physical mobility, confidence, motivation and self-belief in stroke patients.

The outdoor mobility programme has been developed to help to rehabilitate people after a stroke,

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and all participants will receive written and verbal help on mobility, including information on local transport.

Half of the participants will also receive individually-targeted outdoor mobility therapy.

The aim of the study is to see whether this kind of outdoor therapy can help people to get out of the house more often and overcome their mental as well as physical

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

difficulties following a stroke.

Consultant physician Dr Simon Leach is heading the study, which is being carried out in collaboration with Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit.

Senior occupational therapist at Lincoln County Hospital, Debbie McRobbie, is working closely with Dr Leach to coordinate the research.

She said: “Many of the stroke patients I see have problems getting back to normal activities after their

stroke, especially going outside of their houses.

“This project is a fantastic opportunity for stroke patients to receive help in getting out and about more often and also take part in something that will improve local rehabilitation services.”

The study is running from now until April 2011. All information collected will be entirely confidential and used only for the purpose of this research.

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Researchers in America have developed an improved coating technique that could strengthen the connection between titanium joint-replacement implants and a patient’s own bone. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

Coating could allow implants to last longer

By Dominic Musgrave THE scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology say the stronger connection, created by manipulating signals the body's own cells use to encourage growth, could allow the implants to last longer.

Implants coated with "flower bouquet" clusters of an engineered protein that mimics the body's own cell-adhesion material fibronectin made 50 per cent more contact with the surrounding bone than implants coated with protein pairs or individual strands.

The cluster-coated implants were fixed in place more than twice as securely as plugs made from bare titanium, which is how joints are currently attached.

Researchers believe the biologicallyinspired material improves bone growth around the implant and strengthens the attachment and integration of the implant to the bone.

The work also shows for the first time that biomaterials presenting biological sequences clustered together at the nanoscale enhance cell adhesion signals.

Professor Andres Garcia said the enhanced signals result in higher levels of bone cell differentiation in human stem cells, and promote better integration of biomaterial implants into bone.

He added: “By clustering the engineered fibronectin pieces together, we were able to create an amplified signal for attracting integrins, receptors that attached to the fibronectin and directed and enhanced bone formation around

Andres Garcia and David Collard

The titanium implant attachment with the protein coating on

the implant.

important.”

which integrins binds.

“Total knee and hip replacements typically last about 15 years until the components wear down or loosen.

For many younger patients, this means a second surgery to replace the first artificial joint.

In this study, Georgia Tech School of Chemistry and Biochemistry professor David Collard and his students coated clinical-grade titanium with a high density of polymer strands kin to the bristles on a toothbrush.

The researchers also tested the fixation of the implants by measuring the amount of force required to pull the implants out of the bone.

“With approximately 40 per cent of the 712,000 total hip and knee replacements in the United States in 2004 performed on younger patients 45-64 years old, improving the lifetime of the titanium joints and creating a better connection with the bone becomes extremely

Andres and Tim Petrie, a former graduate student, modified the polymer to create three or five selfassembled tethered clusters of the engineered fibronectin, which contained the arginine-glycineaspartic acid (RGD) sequence to

Implants coated with three and fivestrand tethered clusters of the engineered fibronectin fragment displayed 250 per cent higher mechanical fixation over the individual strand and pairs coatings, and a 400 per cent improvement compared to the unmodified polymer coating.

£1m unit improves stroke survival chances STROKE patients' survival chances and recovery in Leicestershire have been improved thanks to a new £1m unit.

The new facility at Leicester Royal, which has 36 beds on two wards as well as physiotherapy and occupational therapy areas, means patients do not have to travel elsewhere to be treated.

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increase the number of patients who received thrombolysis clot-busting drugs, which must be given within three hours of the onset of a stroke to be most effective.

It also means patients can receive a brain scan more quickly.

Martin Fotherby, head of the stroke service at Leicester's hospitals, said scans must be carried out within an hour to diagnose what type of stroke a patient has suffered, so treatment

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

can be better targeted.

He added: “The benefits for our patients are enormous. Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability so when someone suffers a stroke getting them the right treatment as soon as possible is crucial.

“The changes mean there is always a specialist stroke team to assess and treat patients 24 hours a day.

“It also means more patients who are

suitable will be able to have thrombolysis treatment. It can make a big difference to their chance of recovery.”

The clinic which deals with transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), known as a minor or mini stroke, has also moved to the infirmary.

The changes to stroke services will also see 15 new stroke rehabilitation beds being offered to city patients for targeted therapy.

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Nicoletta with HR director Bev Edgar and FRODO chief executive Vanessa Cummings.

Orphan’s dream comes true thanks to team A ROMANIAN orphan has received surgery to straighten her severely deformed leg at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre following a sixmonth fundraising campaign by hospital staff.

Nicoletta Vizi, 19, first met paediatric consultants Mrs Rachel Buckingham and Mr Andy Wainwright when they travelled to the country last year to treat orphans.

They flew out with the charity Foundation for the Relief of Disabled Orphans (FRODO) in June 2009 and spent a week assessing around 20 children, including Nicoletta. Two received surgery while others were given specialist physiotherapy.

Due to the complexity of Nicoletta's case the surgeons felt that she would benefit from being operated on in the UK as she walked with difficulty, dragging her right leg that was almost back to front.

Staff at the hospital, led by director of HR Bev Edgar, co-ordinated a

fundraising campaign and successfully raised the £5,000 needed to bring Nicoletta to the UK, and she has had the four-hour operation needed to straighten her leg.

Vanessa Cummings, chief executive of FRODO, said: “Thanks to the skill and caring attitude of surgeons Andy Wainwright and Rachel Buckingham – and the whole team at the Nuffield – Nicoletta's dream has come true.

“When she first saw her leg in plaster – her straight leg – she burst into tears. Tears of joy, and since then has not stopped smiling. Her life for the future offers all sorts of new possibilities, and this is one girl who is going to take them on.”

Nicoletta will fly back to Romania shortly, and will remain in a plaster cast for six weeks. She will then require physiotherapy to enable her to gain strength with her leg in the new position.

Acupuncture degree launched MANCHESTER Metropolitan University is launching a degree in acupuncture by popular demand.

Academics say the ancient Chinese health treatment is increasingly being used in the NHS and professional training is necessary.

Pennie Roberts, head of the University’s health professions department, said: “BSc (Hons) Acupuncture is aimed at providing a

qualification in acupuncture to serve as a basis for professional practice.

“The National Institute of Clinical Excellence has recommended the treatment for dealing with back pain and its use has become very widespread in the NHS. Many physiotherapists are learning acupuncture as a way of treating muscle or bone injury.”

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OT history has important role to play – author

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By Dominic Musgrave A NEW book from an Aberdeen academic explores the history of occupational therapy and what can be learned from its roots in the rehabilitation of patients.

Bridget serves NHS for over 40 years SENIOR orthopaedic technician Bridget Mackey has retired after clocking up over 40 years’ service for the NHS. Bridget's career started in 1968 where she worked at the former Radcliffe Infirmary Hospital in the dark room developing x-rays. What was meant to be a summer job while waiting for her exam results turned into something slightly longer, and she never left the NHS. Her career saw a move to work as a plaster technician at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (NOC) in 1974, and since then she has worked across various sites, including helping

to set up a new plaster room in the accident and emergency department at a Milton Keynes hospital. She returned back to the NOC in 1996.

Bridget, who can also boast a 100 per cent attendance record, said: “I have seen many changes over the years but one of the main ones will have to be the opening of new hospital building in 2007. I shall miss all my colleagues and also many patients – some of whom I have dealt with from childhood through to their adult years. I plan to travel to both India and Australia during my retirement and look forward to spending time in my garden.”

Dr Catherine Paterson, known as Irene, has spent the last 20 years researching the origins and development of occupational therapy in Scotland and has published Opportunities not Prescriptions: The Development of Occupational Therapy in Scotland 1900-1960.

Little has been written about the growth of occupational therapy north of the border, but Catherine believes an appreciation of the history of the profession has an important role to play in helping new occupational therapists understand why craftwork was so important in the profession’s early days.

She said: “It is almost 80 years since the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists was formed, and over 70 years since the first course in occupational therapy in Scotland was started.

“In that time the profession has come a long way – my research shows that occupational therapists in the early days worked closely with enthusiastic holistic doctors concerned about the mental, social and spiritual needs, as well as the physical needs, of patients.

“Initially occupational therapy was based, although not exclusively on craft work, carefully selected and graded to enhance the patient’s physical, psychological and social

abilities at a time when patients spent long periods of time in hospital. Today there is a much greater emphasis on facilitating early discharge and support in the community.

“However, there is a view of the profession simply as getting people out of hospital as quickly as possible.

For me, occupational therapy involves much more than this and I hope my research demonstrates that the lessons learned in the early years should not be forgotten.”

Catherine stressed that she was not advocating a return to the days of basket weaving, but that meaningful occupation, including creative activities, relevant to today’s society have an important role to play in enhancing everyone’s health and well-being.

She added: “While it is easy to dismiss the practises of the past and say things have moved on, the need to be creative is basic to everybody and I wanted those coming into the profession today to understand where we were coming from and that even in the early days there was a body of theory that lay behind the therapeutic aspect of creativity.

“This was recognised by psychiatrists in the days before effective medication and by physicians treating patients who had to spend months or even years in sanatoria to overcome tuberculosis. It was particularly important during the two world wars, when the need to return injured servicemen to active service or to the civilian workforce was paramount.”

Researchers look to games consoles TECHNOLOGY used in games consoles such as the Nintendo Wii may help stroke survivors improve communication skills.

Stroke survivors, whose spoken and written language skills have been impaired, may be helped by a new study by researchers at City University’s Centre for HumanComputer Interaction Design and Department of Language and Communication Science.

They are exploring the use of motion sensing technologies, such as the Nintendo Wii, in the rehabilitation of people with aphasia – a language impairment, commonly caused by a stroke.

Senior lecturer Stephanie Wilson said: “Gesture tracking and recognition technologies are becoming a ubiquitous part of new 10

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computing and gaming environments. We will evaluate the suitability of such technologies in aphasia rehabilitation.”

The aim is to develop an affordable, computer-based technology to help stroke survivors, who have limited spoken or written output, learn physical gestures that can be readily interpreted by others.

Known as Gesture Recognition in Aphasia Therapy (GReAT) – it will run for 18 months, and a prototype system that enables users to practise gesturing, receive instant feedback, and master the movements through repetition will be created. The research is in collaboration with The Stroke Association and funded by £300k from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

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A new technology designed to tackle sedentary lifestyles and help reduce cases of obesity, heart disease and diabetes is undergoing clinical trials in Scotland. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

New device prompts users to move around STRATHCLYDE spin-out company PAL Technologies has developed the device in response to new evidence from Australia and the US that people sitting for long periods, even those who meet international guidelines for physical activity, are at increased risk of disease.

The activPAL technology can record exactly when a patient is moving, standing or sitting down, providing important information about their physical activity levels to doctors and physiotherapists.

In addition, the company has worked with Strathclyde professor Nanette Mutrie to enable the device to prompt users to move around when they have been sitting down for long periods.

The technology was first developed at the University of Strathclyde's Bioengineering Unit by professor Malcolm Granat and colleagues.

Malcolm, who is now based at Glasgow Caledonian University, said: “There is now strong scientific evidence that sedentary behaviour or ‘sitting down’ isn't in fact a neutral health position, it actually has a significant, negative impact.

“Simply put, humans aren't designed to sit down for long periods of time. As a species we are meant to be on the move and

not, as research shows the majority of us to be, sitting down for more than 60 per cent of our waking day, which is typical in Scotland and the US.” It is hoped the technology could be a weapon in the battle against diseases linked to a sedentary lifestyle, and is already being used by researchers in the US and Australia to prove the link between ‘couch potato’ behaviour and morbidity.

Nanette, Dr Claire Fitzsimons and Dr Alison Kirk of the University of Strathclyde’s Physical Activity for Health Group received funding from the Strathclyde Links project an initiative to support small to medium sized enterprises in accessing University research and expertise - to help PAL Technologies further develop their device.

Preliminary results from the collaboration suggest that the technology, which has the capacity to deliver a short, incremental buzz to remind the wearer how long they have been sitting, is helpful in increasing people’s awareness of how long they have been sitting, and may decrease long periods of sitting.

In a pilot study a sample of 24 older adults used the device. As a

Software connects chairs to the internet A NEW piece of software that connects powered wheelchairs to the internet using an iPhone or iPod has been launched.

CEO Charlotte Walshe said: “We predict iPortal will change the quality of life of thousands of people by connecting their powered wheelchair to the internet.

“We had people queuing to view the iPortal and we have already registered lots of sales interest from

result, 10 out of 24 reduced their total sedentary time and two thirds were able to reduce their number of prolonged sitting bouts when using the Activator.

Malcolm added: “Knowing the right way to live one’s life in terms of health is one thing, but actually being able to change our behaviour to improve our health is another.

For example, the idea that we should be more physically active is known, but most of us struggle to gain adequate activity.

“Technology that provides feedback

customers in Europe, UK and Australia.”

The system was unveiled last year at Rehacare in Germany, and supports iPhone 3G, 3GS and iPod Touch V2.0 and 3.0.

– such as the pedometer – can help us be aware and even increase our activity levels. A new technology challenge is to help us be aware of how much time we spend sitting down.

“The Activator has the potential to provide a prompt that makes us aware of our sitting down time and therefore help us reduce the amount of time we sit down. This technology could provide a strong link to real behaviour change in terms of sitting down time and active time.”

Conference keynote speaker is announced PROFESSOR Martin Ferguson-Pellis is the keynote speaker at the Recent Advances in Assistive Technology and Engineering (RAATE) conference.

The Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Alberta trained in biomedical engineering at the University of Strathclyde, and has held senior positions at University College London and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.

Dynamic Controls’ iPortal also includes a ‘chair doctor’ diagnostics feature that interprets any problems with the wheelchair, and an on-chair charger so devices never run flat.

“iPortal is a revolutionary approach to wheelchair displays and provides key information such as battery capacity and seat adjustments.

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The programme for the conference is dedicated to the latest innovations and developments in assistive technology features sessions on technology support for dementia and for stroke, user-centred design, access, ambient assisted living and telecare.

Researchers will be presenting

findings from a range of projects, including work to develop a narrative support tool to enable children with complex communication needs to discuss their day at school; new devices for incontinence; how to make exam papers accessible to pupils with disabilities; assistive technology for people with locked-in syndrome; and a progress update on the government’s Whole Systems Demonstrator telecare pilots.

The event takes place at the Warwick University conference centre on November 29 and is organised by Coventry University’s Health Design and Technology Institute, with sponsorship from Toby Churchill, the Foundation for Assistive Technology and the Posture and Mobility Group.

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Orthotics team’s work commended THE occupational therapy orthotics team at Musgrove Park Hospital has been highly commended for its work in the Trust Excellence Awards.

The team introduced a new system for spinal patients that improved their experience and made the hospital systems more efficient.

The MKS Modular Spinal Bracing System is an innovative addition to the spinal service. Patients are now fitted with a bespoke brace to support their spine and no longer need to have it fitted in theatre – saving them and the surgical teams a lot of time.

Team leader Wendy Hooper said: “This new system is much better for patients: shorter anaesthetic time, less time to fit, lighter and cooler to wear.

“It also saves critical theatre time and ensures that our surgeons are not hanging around waiting for the brace to be fitted.

“As the first hospital in the UK to do this we have now been running courses for other health professionals to show them how to implement it.”

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Researchers develop electronic sensor AMERICAN researchers have developed an ultra sensitive, highly flexible, electronic sensor that could be used in artificial electronic skin for prosthetic limbs.

able to detect – and distinguish between – separate touches in quick succession.

The thin rubber film between the two electrodes stores electrical charges, much like a battery. When pressure is exerted on the sensor, the rubber film compresses, which changes the amount of electrical charges the film can store. That change is detected by the electrodes and is what enables the sensor to transmit what it is "feeling".

The scientists at Stanford University have sandwiched a precisely moulded, highly elastic rubber layer between two parallel electrodes that can detect the slightest touch.

The key innovation in the new sensor is the use of a thin film of rubber moulded into a grid of tiny pyramids according to Zhenan Bao, an associate professor of chemical engineering who led the research.

She said previous attempts at building a sensor of this type using a smooth film encountered problems.

“It detects pressures well below the pressure exerted by a 20-milligram bluebottle fly carcass we experimented with, and does so with unprecedented speed,” Zhenan added. “Previously we found that with a very thin continuous film, when you press on it, the material does not have room to expand.

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“So the molecules in the continuous rubber film are forced closer together and become entangled.

When pressure is released, they cannot go back to the original arrangement, so the sensor doesn't work as well.”

Zhenan added: “It’s the same as for human skin, which has a whole range of sensitivities. Fingertips are the most sensitive, while the elbow is quite insensitive. If we can make this in higher resolution, then potentially we should be able to have the image on a coin read by the sensor A robotic hand covered with the electronic skin could feel a surface and know rough from smooth.”

She added that the speed of compression and rebound of the rubber is critical for the sensor to be

The project was partially funded by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research.

Zhenan Bao

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Newcastle University has played a key role in exposing the failings of an artificial hip joint that has been implanted into 93,000 patients worldwide. Dominic Musgrave found out more.

University exposes failings of hip joint THE bioengineering team led by Dr Tom Joyce began investigating the Articulating Surface Replacement (ASR) hip prosthesis manufactured

by American-based Du Puy as far back as February 2008.

The research revealed a number of failings in the design of the implant and explained how and why the metal joint was being worn away, releasing high levels of toxic metals into the patient’s bloodstream. Their findings have been pivotal in bringing about the decision by De Puy to officially withdraw their ASR hip prosthesis.

Tom told Assistive Technologies thousands of patients are being recalled in an effort to determine the extent of the problem and offer support to those who have been left with the crippling sideeffects. He added: “The thinking was that a metal-on-metal ball and socket joint should be far more effective and hard-wearing for patients than the older style metalon-polymer system where the softer polymer tended to wear away quite quickly, releasing particles and eventually causing the artificial joint to fail.

“What our research showed was that if the ball and socket were not perfectly aligned then the metal wore away quite vigorously – the initially ultra-smooth surfaces roughening and then grinding away against each other - to release nano-sized particles into the body that were then absorbed into the bloodstream and tissues, causing far greater damage.

“Since we are all different sizes and shapes and we all walk and stand differently only in a minority of cases were the joints actually functioning correctly.”

Concerns first began to arise when a number of patients reported groin pain, some not long after their arthritic hips had been replaced with ASR prostheses.

Working with orthopaedic surgeon David Langton, based at North Tees University Hospital and now working towards a PhD in Bioengineering under the supervision of Tom, the Newcastle team studied over 100 explanted hip joints sent to them from across Europe. Initially, all the patients were women – a scenario which has now been explained by the

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Dr Tom Joyce

fact that women tend to be smaller with a wider pelvis and this throws the joints even further out of alignment.

Blood tests revealed high levels of cobalt and chrome ions in the blood stream of ASR patients. The ASR is made from cobalt-chrome alloy so this implicated the artificial hip. Using a state-of-the art machine, the team studied the surface of the artificial hip joints and found that instead of being highly polished with a mirror-like surface, the failed devices had become roughened.

This caused the lubrication of the

joint to fail so that, with each step, the patient was producing relatively high volumes of metallic wear debris.

Tom added: “The total hip replacement has been dubbed the ‘greatest success in orthopaedics of the 20th century’ and is a procedure that has changed the lives of millions of people around the globe.

“Last month’s news by De Puy brought to an end an important chapter in the history of hip replacement, a procedure that until now has been almost entirely a medical success story.”

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OT’s English ‘was not good enough’ AN OCCUPATIONAL therapist has been suspended from the Health Professions Council Register for a year because his English was not good enough.

Jegadeesan Thangaraj scored below the level required for registration on an English test as part of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The HPC’s Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics states that registrants must maintain a continuous, up-to-date and accurate record of their CPD activities.

A panel of the conduct and competence committee heard how Jegadeesan had an average score of 6.5, falling below the required standards of 7.0.

Chair Nicola Bastin said: “The Panel is satisfied that the evidence shows that the registrant failed to meet the required standard with regard to his proficiency in English. The Panel also finds that the registrant scored only 5.5 with regard to reading, breaching the requirement that no individual element in the test scores lower than 6.5. The aggravating factors are that the situation was potentially very serious and the protection of public compromised.”

The IELTS is a proficiency test accepted by the HPC as proof of an appropriate standard of English. It is a requirement of the HPC that all health professionals who do not speak English as a first language need to score at least a 7.0, with no individual element (listening, reading, writing and speaking) lower than 6.5. Jegadeesan was not present or represented at the hearing.

‘Smart homes’ which help older people live more independently and can summon assistance in life-threatening emergencies are being developed in Leicester. Dominic Musgrave reports

£1.65m project aims to develop ‘smart homes’ DE MONTFORT University researchers will play a key role in the £1.65m project, which will see five homes custom fitted with a variety of devices and sensors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of assisted living technologies.

Eric said motion detectors and fall sensors will also be an important part of the project.

The devices will use an open standard, to be developed at the University, which will enable them to connect to each other and share information.

He added: “Any new system will use modern communication techniques such as the Internet, broadband and mobile phones so data security is a key issue, as is the privacy of users.

Chi Biu Wong, Dr Eric Goodyer and professor Philip Moore are the University’s team members on the project.

Eric said the objective of the study is to develop an open software framework to enable the devices to be connected together so they can share information and call for help through a care monitoring centre or home-based care system if necessary.

He added: “We live in an ageing society and increasing numbers of older people want the opportunity to continue living independently in their own homes.

“There’s a lot of technology out there that aims to help people do this, and this project will develop a way of ensuring that these devices can be connected and work together towards this goal.

“The current generation of assisted living devices, such as

The Exeter Mobility Centre held an open day to give the local community, patients and their relatives a chance to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes.

The event included opportunities to meet frontline staff, see how a prosthetic limb is made and hear from inspirational patients such as father of five and retired school teacher Frank Letch, who was born with major upper limb deficiencies.

Picture: Clinical support technician Jeff Lyne

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range of sensors. They will also be involved at an early stage, assisting the design team to ensure that the technology fitted into their homes is user friendly and acceptable.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

Eric Goodyer alarm pendants, have proved to be invaluable. Many thousands of people are able to continue living in their homes, giving them a better quality of life and releasing scarce health and care service resources for other purposes.”

The project will also develop a mobile telecare device which can monitor the well-being of older people when they are away from their home and can raise the alarm if the person gets lost or needs medical assistance.

Volunteers will have their homes equipped with the latest assisted living devices, such as personal alarms, safety equipment and a

“It is essential that all equipment conforms to recognised communications standards ensuring the data is secure and delivered directly from the user’s home to a registered secure operating centre under the control of health or care practitioners.

“The most important element of this project is the development of an end-to-end network protocol that can operate over all reasonable communication networks without intervention by third parties.”

Funded by £800,000 from the Technology Strategy Board’s Assisted Living Innovation Platform, the ‘Distributed Integrated Care Services and Systems’ (iCARE) project will be led by the Co-operative Estates.

New product aims to cut industry back injuries WORKPLACE equipment provider Slingsby has launched an innovative new product to help reduce back injuries in the healthcare industry after research revealed that one in four nurses suffers from musculoskeletal problems.

The company is supplying specially adapted Work Positioners to all types of healthcare organisations that can be used to take the strain off nurses and improve efficiency in a wide range of day to day processes.

The adapted product is specifically designed to be easy to use, adaptable, able to lift objects from ground level to head height as well as being small and manoeuvrable so it can fit into areas where space

is limited.

Sales director Christian Slingsby said: “Many healthcare staff risk back injuries due to the nature of the work which sees them dealing with increasing numbers of bariatric patients, constantly moving equipment and regularly having to adopt and hold awkward positions so we have specifically created this product to alleviate the problem.

“The idea originally came from nurses that historically had to support a patient's weight when administering epidurals so we designed a solution that would suit patients of all sizes and now we are continually finding additional uses for it.”

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‘Therapist’ may revolutionise primary care

By Dominic Musgrave AN innovative computer system which allows the long-term sick to manage their condition without health professionals could revolutionise primary health care in Britain, it has been claimed.

Devised by the University of Sheffield, the SMART system acts as the user’s ‘personal therapist’, providing the advice and health checks that usually require a visit to a doctor’s surgery.

They say the pioneering technology could potentially save the NHS millions by flagging up serious deterioration before an emergency hospital admission is required.

The system works by using smart phone technology to record the user’s activity and amends their daily schedules depending on the users’ own assessment of their progress.

A separate computer also tracks key health indicators, such as weight change and blood pressure, while also providing advice and information on the user’s condition.

Dr Annette Haywood, from the University’s School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), said: “SMART will give patients the opportunity to improve their physical fitness remotely from health professionals.

“They will be encouraged to manage their own care independently and learn more about their condition as

they use the system.

“It is an innovative system which will complement their existing care and have the potential to recognise when additional professional assistance is needed.”

Three versions of the system are currently being developed to cover victims of strokes, heart failure patients and sufferers of chronic pain.

SMART will provide a vital source of information for health care professionals who can tap into the stored data and observe fluctuations in patients’ conditions.

The system tackles one of the major challenges in health care by providing convenient care in the home, as laid out in Lord Darzi’s NHS next stage review – which called on the NHS to use technology to make “care closer to home a reality for many patients”.

Sue White, director of long term conditions at the Yorkshire and Humber NHS Health, Innovation and Education cluster, added: “I strongly support this type of assistive technology. It will allow people with long-term health problems to carry on with their lives without constant visits to the hospital and the doctor’s surgery. Secondly, it can help improve productivity and efficiency in the health system and provide better value for money for every pound we spend on care. This is very important when health budgets are under pressure.”

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Mark with the team taking part in the Gumpathon

Mark set for trek across America A ROYAL Marine who lost both legs and an arm in a landmine explosion in Afghanistan three years ago is taking part in a a trek across America.

Mark Ormrod is part of a six-man team taking part in the eight-week Gumpathon, a 3,530-mile coast to coast journey to raise money for injured servicemen and women in both the UK and USA. The 26-yearold was injured in a land mine explosion in Afghanistan on Christmas Eve 2007.

The team will cover up to 23 miles a day, while Mark, the first triple amputee of the war in Afghanistan, has a target of a minimum of one mile. His injuries were the catalyst for organiser, Colour Sergeant Damian Todd, to turn his idea for the challenge after watching Forrest Gump in 1994, into a reality.

Charities to benefit include The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund in the USA and Help for Heroes and The Royal Marine Charitable Trust Fund in the UK.

Rehab services ‘inadequate’ INADEQUATE rehabilitation services are undermining improvements in hospital care for people who have had a stroke, says a new report.

Only forty four per cent of hospitals in England, Wales and northern Ireland have access to early supported discharge services, even though it has been shown to improve recovery, according to the Sentinel Stroke Audit by the Royal

College of Physicians.

Natalie Beswetherick, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s director of practice and development, said: “There is real frustration among physiotherapists at the lack of progress. Early access to physiotherapy and ongoing, tailored rehabilitation can play a key role in helping stroke survivors maximise their mobility and independence.”

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New procedure benefiting knee patients

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PATIENTS requiring knee replacements are benefiting from state-ofthe-art high-tech computer navigated surgery at Goole and District Hospital.

The procedure is being under-taken by orthopaedic consultant Andrew Edwards, who has recently started at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Computer-navigated surgery is a state-of-the-art surgical technique which increases the accuracy of knee replacement surgery, aiming to increase the longevity and functioning of the artificial joint.

Andrew said: “Everyone is different and so are their knees. Computer navigated surgery takes into account each patient’s shape and size and allows me to use what is essentially a mini GPS system, to register exact bio-mechanic anatomy of the leg and knee joint to ensure the replacement is as accurate as possible.”

The system works by mapping the position of the bones which make up the patient’s knee joint using sensors which are placed on either side of the knee. These create a detailed image and provide real-time information on a computer screen.

Andrew added: “I use this information to accurately guide the implant into position. I do the surgery; the technology just provides me with an accurate map. Accuracy is key to this type of procedure as it can impact on the wear of the artificial joint. This is particularly important as we are treating younger and more active people nowadays. The computer navigation is invaluable in complex knee replacements for example where a patient has suffered limb deforming fractures in the past and subsequently developed osteoarthritis.”

Andrew is only one of a few orthopaedic surgeons using the hightech equipment. He trained in computer navigated surgery at the Elective Orthopaedic Centre in Surrey, Hamburg and Switzerland.

New product set to ‘revolutionise walking for injured or infirm’

By Dominic Musgrave A NEW product which its inventor claims will do for the crutch, walking stick and Zimmer frame what Dyson has done for the vacuum cleaner has been launched.

Shock-absorbing, anti-slip Flexyfoot is designed to replace the old fashioned ferrule (or rubber tip) on these aids and revolutionise walking for the injured or infirm.

It gives 50 per cent more grip on floors and ground surfaces than ferrules, and eases the aches and pains associated with constant stress and impact on joints.

With its patented air-sprung technology, Flexyfoot bends and can rotate by 360 degrees, meaning users can easily turn on their walking aids.

David Goodwin, who has previously designed award-winning products for the likes of Procter and Gamble, London Underground and Parker pens, was inspired to invent Flexyfoot by his family.

Both his sister, who has MS, and his 95-year-old mother complained to him about the difficulties and discomfort of using their walking sticks. They also found the rubber feet wore down much too quickly and were difficult to change.

He said: “It’s a substantial opportunity. Four million ferrules are sold in the UK annually, but the market is very staid and most aids are very institutional.

Robert Simonis FRCS, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at St Peter’s Hospital in Surrey, who trialled Flexyfoot, added: “It is safer, quicker and easier to use than a standard crutch ferrule. The tread is always flat on the ground, maximising grip and preventing slippage.

“I wanted to create a product based on great design, innovative technology, good looks and function.”

“Shock absorbency and free rotation reduces strain on the arms and upper body. Patients of all ages, shapes and sizes find them more

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

comfortable and having used them will not go back to using an old fashioned crutch.”

Flexyfoot is being aimed at physiotherapists, occupational therapists and surgeons. In addition to increased mobility, comfort and security, fewer follow-up appointments are likely due to fewer slips and falls. Users are also reporting reduced musculoskeletal problems.

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Closure plans for Isle of Man podiatry clinics

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By Louise Cordell

investment.

TWO podiatry clinics on the Isle of Man will close and the services relocated to the refurbished Central Community Health Centre in Douglas, the Department of Health has confirmed.

“Amalgamating the smaller clinics outside Douglas with the three clinics available at the Central Community Health Centre, will enable us to make the best use of staff resources, provide an even safer environment for patients, and also enable us to provide 30-40 more appointments per month, so we will be able to see more patients.”

The announcement follows an internal review of the Community Podiatry Service, which included an evaluation of the clinical podiatry facilities across the island.

The review, one of many regularly carried out by the Department of Health to ensure that services are fit for purpose and make best use of health resources, identified that there were significant efficiency improvements to be gained from relocating the two smaller clinics held in Peel and Laxey.

Challenge bids to step away from stereotypical prescription footwear

By Dominic Musgrave

and what they can do.

BUDDING young designers have been putting their best feet forward to try to improve the lives of women with rhumatoid arthritis.

“We wanted to break away from stereotypical prescription footwear and, by designing in this inclusive way, we came up with some creative designs to give women with RA more confidence in social situations.

Students from the University of Central Lancashire pooled their talents to stage the Preston-based institution’s first Footwear Design Challenge in conjunction with Arthritis Research UK. The event saw designers from industry, health practitioners and stakeholders contributing to breakthrough footwear concepts for women living with rhumatoid arthritis, who currently struggle to get “nice” shoes.

Fiona Candy, senior lecturer at UCLan’s Northern School of Design said of the challenge said the idea came following some research she did alongside counterparts from the university’s school of public health and clinical sciences.

She added: “Findings from a recent study by myself and Dr Lynne Goodacre revealed that the lack of suitable footwear is limiting for women with RA and impacts significantly on the clothes they feel they can wear, where they can go, 18

“An important aspect of this that a very unusual exchange of information took place, in a very short time, between the design partners and health professional which has probably never happened before.”

Podiatry service manager Julia Devlin anticipated that an additional 30-40 appointments could be accommodated by the service each month as a result.

He added: “The department and the podiatry service is constantly looking at ways to better manage its increasing workloads and deliver a service that meets the needs of as many patients as possible.

She added: “The podiatry clinics at Peel and Laxey see relatively small numbers of patients and are no longer viable; there's also a requirement to bring the premises’ infection control facilities into line with evolving best practice, which would require significant

“While we will always try to provide services as locally as possible, sometimes it is not sensible to do so, and makes more sense to locate clinics in the most modern settings, where clinical staff can work as a team to offer more and better services.”

Nail trimming service looks for volunteers A NEW nail trimming service is looking for volunteers to help older people.

The competition brought together three design teams, charged with creating designs for shoes fit for a social occasion which looked the part but were suitable for people suffering from the condition.

Karen Whitefield, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, and the Shotts Healthy Living Centre have launched a new Shotts Community Nail Trimming Service with the support of NHS Lanarkshire.

Each team was made up of three designers, an orthotist and a podiatrist – mediated by a woman with rhumatoid arthritis, to ensure that the design process knew the real-life needs of sufferers.

The service is aimed at people who are unable to cut their own nails, but do not have any other medical conditions or foot problems that would require them to be seen by a podiatrist.

They were told that condition often leads to problems with malformation of the feet and sufferers struggle to find appropriate shoes wide enough to wear for long periods or to social events.

Karen said: “There is a real need for this type of service for people who may be elderly and frail who, although they don’t need to see a podiatrist, are unable to cut their

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

David Anderson, MHK, minister for health, said the move would also make available the highest standard of podiatry service to patients who currently attend these clinics, giving them access to state-of-the-art and to staff with multiple clinical specialities.

toe nails.

“It may not seem like a serious problem but this can lead to a great deal of pain and lead to more serious problems.”

The service, which is being run as a pilot project, will be managed by the Shotts Healthy Living Centre.

Manager June Vallance said: “This will be the first nail trimming service of its kind in mainland Scotland.

“Hopefully we’ll get enough volunteers to make this a success and make a real difference to the lives of people who need this service.”

Training will be provided by NHS Lanarkshire podiatrists.

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Enhancements for kids’ wheelchair Skippi The Xeno restores the ability of the user to complete daily actions such as using a cash machine or ringing a doorbell, while a seat riser function has also been added to Skippi, a brightly coloured electric wheelchair designed specifically for children which makes adapting seat depth and width easier.

Otto Bock’s Skippi wheelchair

Robotic wheelchair will help children learn to ‘drive’ AMERICAN researchers are developing a robotic wheelchair that will help children learn to ‘drive’.

Laura Marchal-Crespo worked with a team of researchers at the University of California at Irvine to carry out the study.

The technique involves the trainee learning to chase a small robot along a line painted on the floor. The force feedback joystick used to steer the wheelchair can also give physical assistance to the driver, at a level appropriate to their ongoing performance.

When caught, the robot performs a dance and the chair plays a little tune. The joystick haptic assistance was found to enhance learning in both the nondisabled children trained with haptic guidance and in the child with a severe motor impairment.

She said: "The conventional approach for powered wheelchair driver's training is expensive and labourintense, typically requiring the hand-over-hand assistance of a skilled therapist.

“To lower the cost and improve accessibility to training, we have developed a robotic powered wheelchair system on which young children with a disability can safely develop driving skills at their own pace with minimum assistance. Ultimately, we envisage creating a training experience that compares favourably with the fun children experience with the best amusement park rides, but that facilitates the development of driving skill.”

Electrical seat tilt and backrest adjustment means the Xeno moves in tandem with the user’s body

during the transition to standing function, which takes 25 seconds, while also reducing the potential for friction.

Mobility product manager Simon Tempest said: “Skippi’s speed and high degree of manoeuvrability makes it ideal to support a child’s urge to move around and explore their surroundings, while the addition of the seat riser function further enhances its functionality.

KIDS

OTTO Bock Healthcare has launched a new power wheelchair with sit-to-stand functionality as well as enhancements to its electric wheelchair for children

“By enabling the user to safely and independently alternate between standing and sitting positions, Xeno has a positive effect on circulation, joint function and digestion.”

New toilet seat launched SPECIALISED Orthotic Services has launched its new ‘T’ Max toilet seat for children unable to use a conventional toilet.

The ‘T’ Max has been designed with a specially engineered-moulded seat complete with padded foam liner to fully support the child in the correct seating position.

The seat comes with moulded sides which hug the torso and a pommel for between the legs.

Both these additions help maintain correct posture.

The seat’s frame has been designed so it can be used with a conventional wc, alternatively it can be supplied with a commode option depending on the circumstances it is being used in.

Managing director Gordon McQuilton said: “We decided to use our experience and expertise to

help children in other areas of their life by developing a toilet seat.

“We know dignity is something the disabled child holds important, It means they can use a conventional toilet with confidence.”

The ‘T’ Max comes in three sizes – small, medium and large. It is made from easily cleanable material and is simple to construct.

It comes on manoeuvreable castors which lock so there is no chance of it moving.

It also comes complete with a headrest adding extra support, a footrest which helps with balance and a tilt facility to ensure the chair is in optimum position for comfort and balance for the user. The seat can be used in the shower too as all fittings are non-corrosive and comes in blue.

Call for young people’s technology ideas A CHILDREN’S charity has partnered with the NHS National Innovation Centre to run an online competition.

Whizz-Kidz has launched the ‘Young Inventors’ microsite and is calling for young people’s ideas for new technology that could help them in their everyday lives, or how existing assistive technology could be improved. Entrants are encouraged to come up with ideas that have a practical application, and the winners will be

invited to the Healthcare Innovations Expo in London, where their designs will be developed by product designers and showcased.

The charity is also highlighting the serious need for reform of wheelchair services by launching its Fast Forward campaign; asking supporters to sign an online petition, backing a call to government and the NHS to ‘fast forward’ improvements to paediatric wheelchair provision.

Our new-look features sections gives you the opportunity to advertise your business on a page designated to your own specific field:

Podiatry, Sports Rehab and Children To find out more ring Christine Daly-Sadler on 01226 734412 ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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Capable Kate

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SWINDON Town Football Club has appointed Kate Cady to the new position of head of sports therapy.

In this role, she will assume overall charge of the club’s medical and physiological department.

Kate, who holds a Masters in Sports and Exercise Medicine, has previously provided, over a number of years, professional physiological and sports therapy support to the youth team and the centre of excellence.

She also travelled with the first team on the preseason tour to Austria and conducted the physiological assessment for all squad members at The University of Gloucestershire, where she is nurse leader and senior lecturer for the BSc (Hons) Sport Therapy degree programme. Kate will be adding chartered physiotherapist status to her list of professional qualifications when she completes the degree course over the next 12 months.

Survey prompts council to make free gym pass offer FREE gym passes are being offered by a Nottinghamshire council after a survey found more than half of local adults did no exercise.

Mansfield District Council said the Sports England poll found that 55 people of over 16s in the area – about 43,000 people – took no exercise.

Now the council is offering a day pass, including a fitness induction, at five of its leisure centres.

Councillor Eddie Smith, portfolio holder for the environment, said the survey also reported fewer than 10 per cent of adults in Mansfield did the recommended 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week.

He added: “We are making a determined effort to get more people exercising, especially those who currently do nothing.

“You don't have to be a super-fit athlete to use the gym and a programme can be devised to suit people of all ages and levels of fitness.

“We hope this offer will encourage more people to make that important first step towards a healthier lifestyle.”

A nationwide poll by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy found 63 per cent admitted to not taking enough exercise but only 20 per cent of those questioned said they exercised only once a month or less.

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The Ossur team

UK amputees go to Iceland to compete in marathon

By Dominic Musgrave A GROUP of UK amputees were taken to Iceland with their prosthetists to compete in the Reykjavik Marathon.

The group were given a tour of Össur’s Icelandic head office and manufacturing facilities the day before the marathon.

Some of those competing had running experience, such as Richard Whitehead, Team Össur athlete and current world record holder for the full and half marathon, who

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

finished fifth in the half marathon.

Others specialised in different sports, such as double cycling gold medalist Jody Cundy, who took part in the 10K race.

Clinical specialist Richard Hirons said: “I think everyone came back with a better understanding of the people who wear and use Össur products, and the part we all play in making that happen.

“It was a very inspirational event and personally I

enjoyed the inclusive nature of having our clinicians and amputees competing together.”

More than 70 Össur employees also took part in the Marathon to raise money for the Iceland Disabled Sport Association, with the company donating 500 kronur for each kilometre an employee ran and a further £1,500 to Battle Back, a UK charity which uses sport in the aftercare of wounded service personnel in order to aid their rehabilitation and return to an active life.

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‘Bloodgate’ physiotherapist is struck off THE physiotherapist at the centre of the ‘Bloodgate’ scandal has been struck off the Health Professions Council Register.

Stephen Brennan assisted in the fabrication of a wound or blood injury to a Harlequins player during the course of the Heineken Cup quarter final match between Harlequins and Leinster Rugby Club on April 12 last year. A number of allegations were made against him, including that his fitness to practise is impaired by reason of misconduct.

Panel chair Raymond Pattison said: “The dishonesty continued over a number of years and ended not as a result of Stephen Brennan’s own volition but because of the player’s subsequent admission. The behaviour indulged in by Mr Brennan was dishonest, premeditated and continued over a considerable period of time. The Panel has no hesitation in finding Mr Brennan’s professional reputation remains stained.”

The panel heard that Stephen, who was working as the head

physiotherapist for Harlequins at the time of the allegations, admitted to concealing the fabricated blood injury after examining the player’s mouth on the field and noting there was no cut or bleeding. In evidence, he admitted to participating in other fabricated injury incidents on four earlier occasions, and that he had twice made purchases of fake blood capsules.

The Panel found that Stephen was a willing and active participant in the incident, and his participation was crucial as it was his ability to access the pitch that enabled the fake capsule to be passed to the player.

Following the match he was also a willing participant in the attempt to cover up the incident, photographing the player’s mouth and drafting three false witness statements to be used for the purpose of the disciplinary investigations instigated by the European Rugby Cup. Stephen Brennan attended the hearing and was represented by counsel. An interim suspension order was also imposed to cover the appeal period.

John Bailey and Don Gatherer

Plan to advance patient rehabilitation A NEW organisation combining Formula One technology and the experience of one of Britain’s most renowned research physiotherapists aims to advance patient rehabilitation and conditioning techniques. The Gatherer Partnership, created by Don Gatherer and motorsport engineering expert John Bailey, will develop a range of innovative products and support packages that for the first time, offer physiotherapists accurate and objective data for the management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Data such as peak force and fatigue rating of voluntary muscle contraction will enable physiotherapists to assess the

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patient’s true condition, determine the need for surgery as well as the ability to create and administer bespoke conditioning and rehabilitation programmes.

Don said: “Physiotherapy often relies on subjective data that can affect recovery levels and times.

Our equipment will provide information on what the patient really can achieve and how their condition is developing over time.

Extensive work undertaken with rugby players suggests we can improve recovery times too.”

To acquire such objective data, The Gatherer Partnership is incorporating electronic measurement devices that are typically found in F1 racing cars.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGIES I OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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PRODUCTS

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LIGHTWEIGHT PROTECTIVE HELMETS

CUSTOM DOLLS’ COLLARS TO MEASURE

Scrum Type Helmet Sizes S M L Available in black with rear lace adjustment Firm sponge covered with Lycra/nylon Fastens with Velcro chin strap £39.05 + VAT Small: up to 56cm Medium: 56cm-58.5cm Large: 58.5cm and above

DOLLS’ collars are usually of a ‘bivalved’ design and we are able to fabricate these from a variety of materials to produce orthoses with diverse degrees of control.

The sections can butt together, or can be manufactured as a clamshell design to provide the required rigidity for the head and neck. The anterior section contains and controls the chin, with the posterior shell extending to the occipital region distally, and to the superior angle of the scapula proximally.

This provides excellent control of flexion and extension and minimizes rotation making them very suitable for use in torticollis, MND, spondylolithesis, and for ununited and pathological fractures. Additionally, as these collars are custom produced, they are particularly effective with asymmetric patients.

Total contact between the neck, chin and upper thorax and the device ensures a great degree of immobilization especially in the mid-cervical region, and the less conspicuous appearance means that the collar may be more readily worn under clothing.

Enquiries: Telephone 01254 268788 for an orthometry chart.

Toppen 77 Sizes 46cm – 59cm Available in blue with red lining Constructed from soft sponge covered with Lycra/nylon Open sections on top of head for increased comfort Fastens with under chin strap £72.50+ VAT These helmets are not suitable for high risk activities, e.g. skateboard/cycling Enquiries: Denovo Healthcare Ltd Telephone 01934 808416 or email sales@denovohealthcare.com

STROKE PRODUCT RANGE FROM OTTO BOCK

NEW FROM G&M - CYBERSPINE CERVICAL COLLAR

OTTO Bock’s Stroke product range has been developed in close collaboration with professionals and therapists to ensure both optimal function and wearing comfort.

The main focus in all Stroke rehabilitation is to re-integrate people in to their social and professional environments, and all products in the range are designed to facilitate active movement.

Our rehabilitation products include the Neurexa Line: Omo Neurexa shoulder brace (pictured). Genu Neurexa knee brace. Manu Neurexa wrist brace.

The WalkOn Range, for users with drop foot and peroneal palsy, includes : WalkOn. WalkOn Flex. WalkOn Trimable. Otto Bock also offers a choice of Stance Phase Control Orthoses in both mechanical and electronic forms. Freewalk – a mechanical orthosis that locks the knee joint during the stance phase and disengages itself for the swing phase, E-Mag Active – the first electronically controlled system knee joint with controlled stance phase and free swing phase that works independently from the ankle joint and foot sole.

A FULLY adjustable C-Spine immobilisation system in which the best features of past proven systems are combined with modern materials to provide comfortable, easily fitted and exceptionally secure support in all three planes of movement for the vulnerable cervical spine.

Adjustment is by means of innovative design semi-rigid straps which are easy to set precisely and are easily released when required, and through providing simple control over extension and flexion, with only one tool which is easy to use and supplied with the brace.

The whole brace is radio-lucent and MRI compatible, very comfortable to wear and extremely well tolerated by patients.

Enquiries: For further information telephone 0121 475 1101.

Enquiries: Telephone 0845 430 1231.

WHEN IS A WHEELCHAIR NOT A WHEELCHAIR? WHEN IT’S A BOMA DEVELOPMENT of the Boma wheelchair was entirely directed by the wishes of potential users and, as a result, we have a new form of vehicle for individuals with a mobility impairment.

Taking ideas from mountain biking, powered wheelchairs and off road vehicles, the Boma is unique in providing a lightweight, accessible adaptable chair with exceptional off-road capability.

Users with disabilities as diverse as paraplegia, MS, quadraplegia, CP, MND have enjoyed the freedom and exhilaration unique to using the Boma chair.

Molten Rock, the designers, manufacturers and suppliers of the Boma chair, are keen to support and help all those who want to get out into the great wide open, despite any mobility impairments they may have.

This spirit of adventure was recently demonstrated by Sally Hyder, who recently made an attempt on the summit of Ben Nevis.

Although the team failed to reach the summit due to time restrictions, they were well over half way, and in the course of the climb opened an entirely new route.

Enquiries: Telephone 01908 585648 or visit www.moltenrock.co.uk

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If you would like to gain exposure for your product please contact: Christine Daly-Sadler on 01226 734412

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