One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for the Future of Prosthetics

One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for the Future of Prosthetics

LONDON, November 9, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

         First UK patient receives world's most advanced new bionic leg
prosthetic system Genium from Otto Bock to enable movement as never before

                           in lower limb amputees

    An amputee from London has become the first UK patient to be fitted with
a new bionic prosthetic system from mobility experts Otto Bock Healthcare
[http://www.ottobock.co.uk ]. The Genium
[http://www.ottobockknees.com/knee-family/genium-bionic-prosthetic-system ]
leg, which launches today in the UK, is the first in a new generation of
intelligent, microprocessor-controlled leg prostheses that deliver far
greater precision and response enabling a wider range of intuitive movements
for the user. The Genium will redefine quality of life and mobility for
amputees, providing the closest walking pattern to a natural gait of any
prostheses available on the market today.

    At 15 years old Matthew Newbury lost his leg when the motorbike he was a
passenger on was hit by a 4x4. Today he becomes the first patient in the UK
to receive a new, state-of-the-art bionic prosthetic system, fitted by
leading private independent healthcare company ProActive Prosthetics
[http://www.proactiveprosthetics.co.uk ]. The Genium will allow him to walk
up stairs foot-over-foot, walk backwards, manage rough terrain, slopes and
stand for long periods of time with his knee locked - feats that have never
before been possible in prosthetics.

    Matthew Newbury will be available for interview at the launch of Genium
at 1000hrs on Wednesday 9th November 2011 at ProActive Prosthetics, Surrey.
Images will also be made available following the launch.

    Property developer Matthew Newbury, now 30, said, "The new Genium has
completely changed the way I live my life and has provided me with the
confidence to attempt things that I had thought were beyond me. With
previous prosthetics, I was constantly aware and cautious of their
limitations - you need to think about every step. With Genium, it does all
the thinking for me. I can now easily climb the scaffolding on my housing
projects and am able to walk, ride and navigate life without a second
thought. It's easy to use, comfortable and I look forward to a future where
anything is possible."

    The Genium from Otto Bock, a world-leading supplier of innovative
solutions for people with limited mobility, can differentiate between when a
user is standing still and walking. This enables the user to achieve natural
weight distribution and stand on flat, uneven or inclined surfaces due to
its inbuilt microprocessor-controlled system. It includes 10 modes for
special movement patterns such as cycling, cross-country skiing and golf
together with programming capabilities via an integrated Bluetooth
interface.

    Development of the groundbreaking prosthesis follows extensive research
efforts together with 15 years of practical experience with the current
market leading prosthesis, Otto Bock's C-Leg(R) system. One of the key
technological advancements made with the Genium is the Optimised
Physiological Gait (OPG). In addition to alleviating strain on the entire
locomotion system of the user, thus preventing subsequent orthopaedic
problems, OPG allows for a gait that is incredibly close to a natural
physiological one.

   
    Charlotte Rowland / Matt King
    Media Safari
    T: +44-(0)1225-471202
    E:  charlotter@mediasafari.co.uk

Source: Otto Bock HealthCare

.