A new kid on the block, Freedom Innovations Inc. (FI), made its formal debut into the prosthetics world by announcing its Freedom Series of prosthetic feet at the 2002 American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly October 9-12 in Chicago. The Freedom Series includes three new prosthetic feet-the FS 1000, 2000 and 3000 models-that are "more affordable and accessible than any high-performance artificial feet currently on the market," according to Richard M. Myers, Jr., FI president and chief operating officer. The feet are the invention of Dr. Roland Christensen, who for 17 years has been a designer and provider of prosthetic products, the company noted. Myers said all FI's new models utilize patented technology that provide feet with the highest degree of performance while simulating natural foot motion for amputees with moderate to high activity needs. "Freedom Innovations was formed to use innovative thinking and technologies to create revolutionary prosthetic products," he said, adding that the Freedom Series is designed to meet the prosthetists' demand for high quality at affordable prices. "However, we also combine big company ingenuity with small company convenience and service for both prosthetists and end-users, including custom orders, same-day shipping and personalized customer contact," Myers said.He explained that, until now, the biggest challenge facing prosthetic feet manufacturers was providing a device that not only was flexible and resilient for comfort, but also strong and durable enough to withstand higher levels of activity and various weights of the users. "The amputee is often forced to use one prosthesis for normal, everyday ambulation, and another for more strenuous or athletic activity," said Myers. "In a natural foot," explained Christensen, who holds several patents for his prosthetic devices, "the foot and toe flex and adapt to conform to the slope of the terrain. However, previous artificial feet with a unitary foot and toe platform were incapable of such independent response. Almost all of the past designs have focused only on ankle or foot movement for the purpose of walking or running. Few designs consider the workings of the toes or the less conspicuous movements of the foot and ankle." Each foot in the FS Series is designed with two basic key elements-the upper member that is coupled to the amputee, and the lower member comprising the heel and toe. Using the company's patented system, energy is transferred between both members to vary the foot's stiffness according to the user's needs. Myers said FI is able to provide the high-performance, high-quality prosthetics at much lower prices than its competitors due to its low-cost manufacturing facility in Fayette, Utah. This "factory direct" price savings is passed directly on to the prosthetist, instead of being lost with a "middle man" provider, he said. Freedom Series Features FS1000 All Freedom Innovation products are designed to be lightweight and strong, the company said. "Produced with carbon fiber composite materials, each features simple, low-stress, high- strength construction eliminating potential 'stress concentrations' caused by bolt connections. The full-length sole plate eliminates 'dead spots,' guaranteeing smooth transitions throughout the gait cycle. These features, combined with a 'soft toe' to also assist in a smoother rollover, are found nowhere else in the industry." Freedom Innovations offers every customer a free foot cover and the longest warranty-36 months--available in the industry on feet and composite components, the company said. FS 1000 "The FS 1000-ideal for the new lower limb amputee-is unique for its 'angle-top' design that creates a level of shock absorbance without the energy loss typically associated with shock absorbing systems," Myers said, adding, "Most shock-absorbing systems do not return energy, they just dampen it." The product also provides higher energy storage capacity for a given volume than its competitors by utilizing a longer foot member, he added. FS 2000 FS2000 This "low profile foot" is designed to be used when clearance is an issue. Featuring a very low finish height to maximize prosthetic configuration options, it also is lightweight, durable and suited to all activity levels, Myers said, adding that, from the prosthetists' perspective, the FS 2000 series is easy to fit and finish cosmetically. FS 3000 The FS 3000 is designed for low to moderately active amputees with long residual limbs. It also can be used by transfemoral amputees who have a clearance issue that is secondary to their knee frame and for fabrication of exoskeletal prostheses. About Freedom Innovations FS3000 Describing its beginning, Freedom Innovations noted that it was founded in early 2002 by a trio of experts with nearly 100 years combined experience in the medical device manufacturing industry and related areas of business. "It is the vision of Roland Christiansen, PhD, chief executive officer; Richard N. Myers Jr., president and chief operating officer; and James Gordon, director of operations, to create the best and most affordable lower-limb prostheses possible for amputees who desire a quick and easy return to normal activity following their surgeries," a news release from the company stated. For more information, contactFreedom Innovations 2452 Pomona Rincon Road Corona, California 92880 909. 817.0984www.freedom-innovations.com
A new kid on the block, Freedom Innovations Inc. (FI), made its formal debut into the prosthetics world by announcing its Freedom Series of prosthetic feet at the 2002 American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National Assembly October 9-12 in Chicago. The Freedom Series includes three new prosthetic feet-the FS 1000, 2000 and 3000 models-that are "more affordable and accessible than any high-performance artificial feet currently on the market," according to Richard M. Myers, Jr., FI president and chief operating officer. The feet are the invention of Dr. Roland Christensen, who for 17 years has been a designer and provider of prosthetic products, the company noted. Myers said all FI's new models utilize patented technology that provide feet with the highest degree of performance while simulating natural foot motion for amputees with moderate to high activity needs. "Freedom Innovations was formed to use innovative thinking and technologies to create revolutionary prosthetic products," he said, adding that the Freedom Series is designed to meet the prosthetists' demand for high quality at affordable prices. "However, we also combine big company ingenuity with small company convenience and service for both prosthetists and end-users, including custom orders, same-day shipping and personalized customer contact," Myers said.He explained that, until now, the biggest challenge facing prosthetic feet manufacturers was providing a device that not only was flexible and resilient for comfort, but also strong and durable enough to withstand higher levels of activity and various weights of the users. "The amputee is often forced to use one prosthesis for normal, everyday ambulation, and another for more strenuous or athletic activity," said Myers. "In a natural foot," explained Christensen, who holds several patents for his prosthetic devices, "the foot and toe flex and adapt to conform to the slope of the terrain. However, previous artificial feet with a unitary foot and toe platform were incapable of such independent response. Almost all of the past designs have focused only on ankle or foot movement for the purpose of walking or running. Few designs consider the workings of the toes or the less conspicuous movements of the foot and ankle." Each foot in the FS Series is designed with two basic key elements-the upper member that is coupled to the amputee, and the lower member comprising the heel and toe. Using the company's patented system, energy is transferred between both members to vary the foot's stiffness according to the user's needs. Myers said FI is able to provide the high-performance, high-quality prosthetics at much lower prices than its competitors due to its low-cost manufacturing facility in Fayette, Utah. This "factory direct" price savings is passed directly on to the prosthetist, instead of being lost with a "middle man" provider, he said. Freedom Series Features FS1000 All Freedom Innovation products are designed to be lightweight and strong, the company said. "Produced with carbon fiber composite materials, each features simple, low-stress, high- strength construction eliminating potential 'stress concentrations' caused by bolt connections. The full-length sole plate eliminates 'dead spots,' guaranteeing smooth transitions throughout the gait cycle. These features, combined with a 'soft toe' to also assist in a smoother rollover, are found nowhere else in the industry." Freedom Innovations offers every customer a free foot cover and the longest warranty-36 months--available in the industry on feet and composite components, the company said. FS 1000 "The FS 1000-ideal for the new lower limb amputee-is unique for its 'angle-top' design that creates a level of shock absorbance without the energy loss typically associated with shock absorbing systems," Myers said, adding, "Most shock-absorbing systems do not return energy, they just dampen it." The product also provides higher energy storage capacity for a given volume than its competitors by utilizing a longer foot member, he added. FS 2000 FS2000 This "low profile foot" is designed to be used when clearance is an issue. Featuring a very low finish height to maximize prosthetic configuration options, it also is lightweight, durable and suited to all activity levels, Myers said, adding that, from the prosthetists' perspective, the FS 2000 series is easy to fit and finish cosmetically. FS 3000 The FS 3000 is designed for low to moderately active amputees with long residual limbs. It also can be used by transfemoral amputees who have a clearance issue that is secondary to their knee frame and for fabrication of exoskeletal prostheses. About Freedom Innovations FS3000 Describing its beginning, Freedom Innovations noted that it was founded in early 2002 by a trio of experts with nearly 100 years combined experience in the medical device manufacturing industry and related areas of business. "It is the vision of Roland Christiansen, PhD, chief executive officer; Richard N. Myers Jr., president and chief operating officer; and James Gordon, director of operations, to create the best and most affordable lower-limb prostheses possible for amputees who desire a quick and easy return to normal activity following their surgeries," a news release from the company stated. For more information, contactFreedom Innovations 2452 Pomona Rincon Road Corona, California 92880 909. 817.0984www.freedom-innovations.com