Feature
Thermoforming Technology: Controlling the Process
By Miki Fairley
Thermoforming is a deceptively simple-looking process... But to operate successfully at an industrial level, you need to understand the molecular structure of the plastic and use equipment that adheres to the guidelines that have been established within the thermoforming industry."
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Feature
Plastics Technology: Vision of the Future?
By Miki Fairley
"Just about everything we do in O&P couldbenefit from having both rigid and flexible plastic in differentparts of the same device," says Tony Wickman, RTPO, FreedomFabrication Inc., Havana, Florida. Since having both rigid andflexible parts is sim...
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Industry Leaders
A.J. Filippis: The Family Behind the Man and the Company
By Jodi Mills
You cannot speak to A.J. Filippis, CPO, presidentof Wright & Filippis, Rochester Hills, Mich-igan, withoutrecognizing the value he places on family. This successfulbusinessman and recipient of the Ernst & Young 2003 EasternMichigan Entrepreneur of...
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Two Sisters: Our Special Relationship
By Danielle Andreassen
Should we accidentally fall in? I ask Jackie as webounce up and down in the round inner tube. We were enjoying theday with our family on a middle-sized lake, in our Baylinerski-boat.
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Got FAQs?
Got FAQs?
The future of your practice depends on knowledgeablebilling and collection information. Understanding the full aspectof billing guidelines and procedures will effectively increase yourreimbursement. This informative column will help providers andt...
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Today's Consumer
Outdoorsman Braves Amputation to Ski, Hike Again
By Joan Bennett
Early in the morning on February 12, 2003, MichaelLynn of Bartlett, New Hampshire, set out on a 14-mile day-trek onsnowshoes and cross-country skis in New Hampshire's White Mountainswith his dog, Kayla. An avid outdoorsman, Lynn, 55, hadn'tbargain...
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Innovations
Ossur’s ‘AFO Dynamic’ Ankle-Foot Orthosis Sets New Performance Standard
By Mark Muller, CPO, CPed
Ossur has now applied the advanced technology of Flex-Foot®to a full line of orthoses. At the forefront is the new AFO Dynamic ankle-foot orthosis,made from the same pre-impregnated carbon fiber that givesFlex-Foot some of its unique properties. T...
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Sports Page
San Diego Triathlon Challenge Raises $1 Million
Once again 100 of the world's top challenged athletes inspiredand amazed onlookers at the San Diego, California, TriathlonChallenge, a half-Ironman event on Sunday, November 2. Sponsored bythe Loma Linda University Orthopaedic & RehabilitationInst...
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Clinician Snapshot
The Cornell Brothers
By PEL Supply Co.
A funny thing happened to Keith and Ken Cornell on their way todental school. Ken was in the placement office of Saint AnselmCollege, a small Catholic college in Manchester, New Hampshire,waiting to talk to an adviser when he began leafing through...
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Profile
Lisa McFall, RFOM, CMF, COF
Southeastern Orthotics & Prosthetics Inc. Chattanooga, Tennessee In what area of O&P would you most like to seeimprovement? I'd like to see less politics and more patientcare.
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Perspective
O&P: A Profession Still in the Making
By Donald E. Katz
Relative to some others in healthcare, orthotics and prostheticsis a fairly young profession, if one accepts the definition asrequiring a collected body of knowledge, the development ofstandards and ethics, ongoing research, and a commitment tolif...
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Viewpoints
From the Editor: ‘Fostering a Culture of Professionalism’
By Miki Fairley
O&P education is getting a boost. The futureAcademy Learning Center at St. Petersburg College in Florida willcreate a physical location for didactic and lab-based education,plus online learning opportunities that may in time have aninternational r...
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Feature
Amputees in Advertising: Have Changes in Presentation Altered Public Perception?
By Judith Philipps Otto
For decades, people with disabilities were hiddenaway in closets. But in a modern society that pretends to beenlightenedlargely by advertising messagesthe American public isprogressively developing a more widespread attitude of acceptancetoward pe...
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Feature
Who’s Using Amputees in Advertising?
Ideally, we would be able to publish an honor roll of mainstreamadvertisers who have featured amputee actors or models in theirprint or broadcast commercials. Such a list would constitute aninteresting and useful reference for our readers. Unfortu...
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Polhemus, the industry leader in 6 Degree of
Freedom (6 DOF) motion capture, tracking, and digitizing
technologies is proud to announce PATRIOT, the new
dual sensor, 6 DOF tracking product. PATRIOT
represents a quantum leap in new technology with a speed of 60 Hz
per sensor, ease of use via an intuitive Graphical User Interface
(GUI), and improved signal-to-noise ratios which increase stability
and resolution while providing consistent high quality data. In
addition, the size of the electronics unit is only 6.75 inches L x
6.24 inches W x 1.75 inches H. Costing only $2500,
PATRIOT is ideal for head tracking, biomechanical
analysis, computer graphics, cursor control, and stereotaxic
localization.
For more information, contact:
Polhemus
800.357.4777
www.polhemus.com
OPTEC Inc. announces the Improved Oasis"
LSO & TLSO Soft Spinal System. The new cut-to-size
closure system offers maximum support and stabilization, providing
anterior/posterior compression and limiting unwanted motion.
Geriatric patients and others with functional problems value the
Improved Oasis' easy-to-use closure system and
soft, breathable fabric panels. Anterior and posterior panels
accommodate moldable polymer inserts. The anterior insert is
offered in flexion, neutral, or pendulous designs and can be
retrofitted with optional attachments, including: Pectoral Pad Kit,
Sternal Pad Kit, and Thoracic Extension Kit straps.
The Improved Oasis is gender-adaptable in sizes
X-Small to XX-Large and comes in two anterior heights: Regular and
Low Profile.
For more information, contact:
OPTEC Inc.
888.982.8181
www.opteccorp.com
The Arch X-PRESS from Freedom
Fabrication provides exceptional onsite molding capabilities for
your podiatric needs.
Features include a 20" x 20" table with heavy-duty 16-gauge
steel frame. Super-fast pull-down makes working with graphite
simple, and the bladder change is quick and easy with no tools
required. Call now for pricing and availability.
For more information, contact:
Freedom Fabrication
800.304.FREE
www.freedomfabrication.com
Realastic's silicone products are
made with a proprietary formula that produces an extremely durable
skin--much more durable than traditional RTV silicones. Available
in 24 colors and sizes from infant to adult, prices range from $175
for the RealFlex glove to $645 for a custom partial foot. "We
aren't dealing in coatings with our silicone
products -- this is a 100% silicone high definition look,"
says Realastic's Dewey Yeargin. To browse Realastic products, visit
their web site.
For more information, contact:
Realastic Prosthetics (div of Health Related
Products)
800.845.4566
www.healthrelatedproducts.com
Ongoing Care Solutions offers a complete line of
orthotics including Ankle Foot Orthotics (AFOs)
from only $31.95!
Three types of AFOs available in Fleece or Smooth to choose
from:
- In-Bed AFO Boot"
- Dual AFO Boot"
- Ambulating AFO Boot"
Visit www.ongoingcare.com to view these AFOs and our
complete, exceptional product line.
For more information, contact:
Ongoing Care Solutions
800.375.0207
www.ongoingcare.com
No matter what your lifestyle, Ohio Willow Wood
has an Alpha® Liner to suit your needs. Our
new Alpha MAX Liner offers a custom-made fabric
that provides active patients with a maximum level of comfort.
The unique feature of the Stabilizing Strip combined with the
Alpha MAX fabric, reduces movement and gel
delamination, creating a strong interface that is three times more
durable than many.
Improved performance at Alpha Liner original
prices means practical alternatives when you and your prosthetist
choose the style of comfort.
For more information, contact:
Ohio Willow Wood
800.848.4930
www.owwco.com
Friddle's Orthopedic has become one of the first companies in
the O&P industry to offer a variable speed
router that is powered by an AC motor. New technology has
made it economically possible to vary the speed of AC motors, thus
eliminating the AC/DC motors most frequently used in the past. This
new powered router runs from 0 to 3600 rpm. Shaft
tolerances of .0005" insure smooth, vibration-free service.
Maintenance is minimal and durability is unsurpassed.
For more information, contact:
Friddle's Orthopedic Appliances
800.528.9339
www.friddles.com
Healthcare Marketing Services (HMS) has a
successful track record in marketing and securing managed care,
PPO, W/C, and hospital inpatient contracts for orthotic and
prosthetic companies. HMS also works on
establishing relationships with physicians and physical therapists
within your service area.
Why not give HMS a call? With
HMS working for you, you can concentrate on the
other aspects of your business and feel confident that you are on
your way to success!
For more information, contact:
Healthcare Marketing Services
866.949.7313
HMSVCS@AOL.COM
The TRS BAHA, an advancement in
body-powered harness design which improves biomechanics by
optimizing the harness axilla angle and creating a more efficient
cable control pathway, is available now!
Features:
- Eliminates harness ring
- Functions right or left
- Conforms to standard fabrication
- Strong and light
- Flexible and comfortable
- Tough, proprietary polymer
- Translucent, non-metallic
Specifications:
- Weight: .5 ounce (14 gm)
- Length: 3.9 inches (9.9 cm)
- Width: 2.7 inches (6.9 cm)
- Thickness: .125 inches (.3 cm)
Satisfy your upper-extremity amputee patients' needs with TRS
BAHA!
For more information, contact:
TRS Inc.
800.279.1865
www.oandp.com/trs
Silipos Inc. announces the launch of its new,
improved Silosheath. For use by BK amputees to
cushion and protect, the Silipos gel inside
Silosheath incorporates medical-grade mineral oil
that gradually diffuses onto the skin reducing friction and
pressure, improving skin elasticity, and minimizing scarring.
The new, improved Silosheath offers amputees
better stretch, improved durability, a flat seam, greater shear
protection, and is also excellent for skin graft patients.
Use Silosheath:
- Daily, under urethane or silicone liners for skin
protection and conditioning
- Nightly, for skin conditioning and scar management
- For compression control in vascular patients
For more information, contact:
Silipos Inc.
800.229.7105
www.silipos.com
Berretta Medical Inc. (BMI) manufactures a
complete line of custom and off-the-shelf orthopedic knee
braces with the function and cosmetics to please your
patients. All BMI products are manufactured to the highest
standards using superior quality materials.
BMI offers exceptional customer service with
super-fast delivery and invites you to visit their website for
knee brace and full product line details.
For more information, contact:
Beretta Medical Inc.
877.222.3311
www.bmiortho.com
Ossur has unveiled its Iceross Seal-In
Liner. Featuring a Hypobaric Sealing Membrane (HSM"), a
device bonded to the wall of the liner which conforms to the shape
of the internal socket wall, the liner is ideal for lower-limb
amputees seeking comfort and secure suspension.
When the Iceross Seal-In Liner is
donned and the socket stepped into, air expels through a distal
valve creating hypobaric suction. Ossur's proprietary stabilizing
matrix supports the HSM during donning and minimizes pistoning when
suspension is required. A release button allows for easy removal of
the prosthesis.
The Iceross Seal-In Liner comes in two
duromoters and offers the advantages of freeing knee motion and
increased comfort.
For more information, contact:
Ossur
800.233.6263
www.ossur.com
A new version of the PowerBelt Auxiliary
Suspension Belt" is now available from Knit-Rite Inc.,
PowerBelt line distributor. This universal design
includes two openings, allowing for left or right applications. The
"Gunslinger" provides a more oblique option for
wearers who prefer that style. The high-denier Lycra spandex
PowerBelt material "squeezes" the prosthesis to
the body, stabilizing the socket on the residual limb. Knit-Rite
has received consistent feedback that even amputees who've not
previously worn belts enjoy improved body integration and control
with their prostheses. PowerBelts are thin,
durable, and comfortable.
For more information, contact:
Knit-Rite, Inc.
800.821.3094
www.knitrite.com
PEL Supply proudly presents a new line of machined
modular aerospace-grade titanium lower-limb
components for patients up to 350 lbs. Manufactured by
Seattle Systems and designed to minimize product weight, included
are: pyramid, female and vertical height adaptors (Staats), 30-mm
clamps and four-prong adaptors. Carbon fiber pylons are also
offered at the newly rated 350-lb limit.
According to Seattle Systems' Dave Hensley, CP, FAAOP, these
strong, lightweight Ti components go a long way to
help heavier patients achieve their highest possible activity
level.
PEL Supply offers a generous discount/rebate program stocking
over 35,000 products with most available for next- day
delivery.
For more information, contact:
PEL Supply Company
800.321.1264
www.pelsupply.com
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