New Transfemoral Vacuum Solution Helps Amputee find "Sweet Spot"

He couldn't crawl around under a car without having to re-align his prosthesis afterward. Trying to ride a bicycle meant worrying about whether the prosthesis would pull away from him. Leaving the house for any sort of activity meant having to anticipate potential pitfalls and allow enough time in his schedule to deal with them. Now, thanks to the new WillowWood One System , Gary is experiencing a freedom he hasn't known since before his amputation. "This has been the best system I've had in 11 years." The origin of this exciting new product can be found in 2011, when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced an Innovation Initiative (VAi2) to improve the fit, function, and comfort of prosthetic sockets for transfemoral amputees. In collaboration with The Ohio State University and The University of Akron, WillowWood applied for and received a grant to proceed with the project. The system features three key innovations, all of which have provided noticeable benefits to Gary. The first is an improved version of WillowWood™ LimbLogic vacuum suspension system that has been adapted for transfemoral applications. Gary's pump is mounted on the side of his socket, creating a more anatomically correct knee center. This helps him get in and out of vehicles and seats more easily. Second is a liner that regulates skin temperature by incorporating Outlast, a Phase Change Material (PCM) that stores and releases thermal energy as it transforms from a solid to liquid and back to a solid. Gary reports that, with this new liner, he hardly sweats at all, even on the hottest days. The third is a sealing system featuring a soft silicone brim and an internal membrane to maintain a secure, comfortable seal that is protected from punctures. The flexible brim and seal allow for an increased range of motion and additional comfort for the amputee through all daily activities. Each presents a functional benefit on its own, but it's what these three do together that truly impresses Gary. The side mount LimbLogic vacuum pump, Alpha SmartTemp Liner, and sealing components combine to provide a secure and comfortable linkage between the amputee and the prosthesis that is not subject to slippage or rotation during the day. When Gary is asked why this system is such an improvement, he states: "I wear [my prosthesis] 17 hours a day, and it's consistent all day long. I don't worry about losing limb volume. It doesn't get loose through the day. My skin issues are gone. I've not had to stop and worry about anything. I'm busy living and doing what I want to do." This ability to just "put the leg on and go" has made it easier for Gary to do everything from changing the brakes on his car to navigating a dark movie theater. Whereas before, he had to worry about repositioning his prosthesis in these situations, he now says, "I don't have to think about it. I know where that foot's going to land, and everything stays in alignment." Being out and about without the concerns of his previous prosthesis has made a world of difference for Gary. "This has been the most positive thing in my life, to give me back the quality of life I had before the amputation. I really feel like I'm not an amputee."

New Transfemoral Vacuum Solution Helps Amputee find “Sweet Spot”

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