OTTO BOCK ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF THE OTTO BOCK BREATHABLE™ BACK
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – June 24, 2004 – Otto Bock HealthCare announced today the launch of the Otto Bock Breathable™ Back, the first in a future full line of breathable accessories.
Otto Bock developed this Back to address the problem of heat and skin breakdown that can result from sitting in a wheelchair for extended periods of time. This patent-pending product contains a cushion made of Brock™ Foam and a three-dimensional spacer fabric cover. This combination permits airflow through the cushion, distributes heat, and promotes the evaporation of moisture.
“We are very excited to bring this unique product to the market,” said Bill Clover, Vice President and General Manager of Supportive Innovations at Otto Bock. “The Breathable Back will help to create a healthier seating environment for wheelchair users.”
Pressure, heat, and moisture contribute to pressure sore development, a very serious health concern for wheelchair users. “The Otto Bock Breathable™ Back effectively addresses three of the manageable factors in the development of pressure ulcers,” states Evan Call, director of EC Services, Inc., a product testing facility in Bountiful, Utah.
Results from an independent study conducted by EC Services, show that when compared to Otto Bock’s original back, the Breathable Back transmitted moisture ten times faster and tested equal or better for peak pressure, contact area, and pressure distribution. Throughout time -- the Breathable Back was 35 BTUs cooler, which is enough to melt 35 pounds of ice.
The Breathable Back is available in two widths: 15-17” and 18-20”, and has a weight capacity of 250lbs. Otto Bock’s unique mounting hardware configuration makes the product compatible with most manual wheelchairs available on the market today.
Established in 1958, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare LP is the North and South American corporate headquarters of Otto Bock Healthcare, GmbH, based in Duderstadt, Germany. Otto Bock has more than 3,600 employees worldwide and produces over 20,000 types of prosthetic and orthotic components, rehabilitation products and technical plastics.
