Otto Bock HealthCare Introduces the Sensor Walk Electronic Stance Control KAFO
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA October 1, 2007 – Otto Bock HealthCare in conjunction with Mayo Clinic introduces the Sensor Walk Electronic KAFO, an electronically controlled stance control orthosis. The Sensor Walk was created to allow the wearer to walk with ease eliminating the need to generate an extension moment to unlock the joint, which provides a more natural gait and lower energy expenditure.
The Sensor Walk Electronic Stance Control KAFO not only gives stability during stance phase but allows the knee to bend during swing, making it easier to clear the foot when the leg swings through. The design of the Sensor Walk enables the knee joint to unlock in late stance phase, before weight is transferred to the leading limb. Sensors in the footplate read when the patient is in late stance phase, therefore signaling the knee joint to unlock. The Sensor Walk has a 300 pound weight capacity and accommodates knee flexion contractures of up to 15°. The Sensor Walk can also be set to function in three ways: as a locked joint, stance control function, and free swing.
“Our investment in the Sensor Walk reflects our commitment to the Orthotist,” said Brad Ruhl, VP Sales & Marketing - Technical Orthopedics. “With its innovative design, we are now able to offer improved Quality for Life to patients that couldn’t benefit from existing technology.”
Otto Bock’s Professional and Clinical Services team offers technical support and support to be certified for the Sensor Walk. The Sensor Walk is custom fabricated at the Minneapolis fabrication facility by an experienced team of orthotic technicians ensuring that each job is fabricated to the specifications of the clinician.
Established in 1958, Minneapolis, Minnesota-based Otto Bock HealthCare LLP is the North and South American corporate headquarters of Otto Bock Healthcare, GmbH, based in Duderstadt, Germany. Otto Bock has more than 3,500 employees worldwide and produces over 20,000 types of prosthetic and orthotic components, rehabilitation products and technical plastics, and also provides information technology services.
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