New RSLSteeper Catalog

RSLSteeper has just published a new Upper Limb Prosthetic Components catalog which includes passive, mechanical and electric prosthetic components. Liberating Technologies, Inc. is the exclusive distributor for RSLSteeper in the U.S. In addition to the products that we manufacture, we also stock the most common RSLSteeper prosthetic products and service them here in the United States. Please call 1-800-437-0024 ext. 10 and request a copy of this new catalog.

Boston Arm on Good Morning America and Oprah Winfrey Shows

On September 14, 2006 Claudia Mitchell appeared on Good Morning America and on October 14, on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Ms. Mitchell, a high-level unilateral amputee, demonstrated her sophisticated prosthesis and her ability to operate several joints simultaneously in a coordinated movement. Unlike traditional prostheses, her state-of-the-art prosthetic system is a complex assembly of components from around the world. The foundation however, is a Boston Digital Arm System from LTI. It provides the power and manages all of the devices in the system; hand, wrist flexion/extension, pro/supination, elbow flexion, etc.

Ms. Mitchell underwent targeted reinnervation surgery at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago earlier this year, enabling her to produce 10 muscle signals to operate her prosthesis. LTI Remote Electrodes acquire signals from these 10 sites and the Boston Digital Arm System’s micro-computer receives these signals and determines which motors to run. Based on the individual signal strengths, it also sets the speed of each device. As a result, she can operate up to five devices simultaneously giving her broader capabilities, greater efficiency and more natural motion than conventional prosthetic systems.

New Mid-Size Lithium Built-In Battery

LTI introduces a new Lithium built-in battery (BP103S) to round-out the product line. The latest is a mid-size 450 mAh capacity, 7.2 volt battery intended for adult and pediatric upper-extremity prostheses. This can be used in places where larger batteries will not fit. The capacity is adequate for most radial-level prostheses and because of its relatively small size, it can be concealed in the prosthesis resulting in better cosmesis. It measures just 10 x 20 x 60 mm and weighs 35 grams. This new battery fills the void between LTI’s standard 750 mAh and miniature 250 mAh built-in batteries. It has the benefits of Lithium chemistry – high-density resulting in; 50% lighter than Ni-MH, twice the capacity of Ni-CAD and 20% greater voltage. The battery is supplied with an on/off switch - recharge connector module. LTI also offers several removable batteries.

New Mechanical Hands

The new line of Select mechanical hands from RSLSteeper Company is now available in the United States through Liberating Technologies, Inc. These new hands are offered in 4 popular sizes, from youth to adult (6¾, 7¼, 7¾ and 8¼ inch) in both front and rear cable pull. They are compatible with all of the common wrist types, thus interfacing with other manufacturer’s components. These new hands are less than ½ the price of the previous model mechanical hands and use Elegance extra long PVC or silicone gloves which are offered in 19 skin tones. Smaller children’s mechanical, electric and passive hands are also available.

Boston Arm on Good Morning America and the Today Show

On June 30, 2005, Jessie Sullivan, a shoulder-level bilateral amputee, demonstrated his state-of-the-art prosthetic system to the nation on Good Morning America. He grasped a bottle of water and brought it to his lips to show the dexterity he has with this unique prosthetic system.

Dr. Todd Kuiken and his team at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, transplanted nerves from Mr. Sullivan’s arm to muscles on his chest. Once these nerves reattached, his chest was mapped for muscle signals and LTI electrodes were placed over sites that represented muscles previously in his arm. The micro-computer in the Boston Digital Arm detects these signals and manages the operation of the various prosthetic motors. It not only determines which device to operate, but based on the muscle signals, it also determines the desired speed and direction. Because Mr. Sullivan has eight independent myoelectric inputs, he can run his prosthetic devices simultaneously for greater efficiency and more natural movements.

The prosthetic system consists of a Boston Digital Arm as the elbow joint and control platform for the five additional powered joints: a humeral rotator, shoulder joint, hand, wrist flexion and wrist rotation. The system was built through a collaborative effort between the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Liberating Technologies, Inc. and Northwestern University. It is the most sophisticated upper-limb prosthetic system ever fit to a patient with more degrees of freedom than previously provided.

ELEGANCE Gloves

• 25 percent longer
• 4 common sizes-styles
• Available in 19 color shades
• For Bock and Motion Control electric hands
• Also for Bock and Hosmer mechanical hands
• Advanced micro-pigmentation finish - TrueFinish
• Excellent definition and hand-painted finger nails

LTI announces ELEGANCE a new line of Silicone and PVC gloves in an extra long style. This length allows the practitioner to produce a smooth transition over the proximal socket brim and where needed an extension to mid upper-arm. ELEGANCE Silicone gloves are made from Tufsil-3, a new polymer with toughness, elasticity, abrasion resistance and greater tensile strength than previous silicones. The most noteworthy feature of this new silicone is its ability to resist stains, a common problem with cosmetic gloves. Additionally, the increased elasticity allows the hands to operate more efficiently, consuming less power.

ELEGANCE Silicone and PVC are now available in TrueFinish, a new micro-pigmentation finish for added realism and depth. For those clients who cannot justify the additional cost of silicone, ELEGANCE PVC is an excellent choice.

LTI Locking Shoulder Joint Wins Design Award

The new LTI Locking Shoulder Joint was the winner of this years Gold Engineering Award from Product Design and Development Magazine. It has been redesigned to provide more strength and greater resistance to wear. Made from high strength aerospace alloys, the joint is a durable and yet light-weight (143 grams). The shoulder swings in a natural arc during gait, but it can be locked in 36 positions, or every 10°. Abduction/adduction is achieved by using a second hinge with adjustable friction. The user can free the joint manually or by using the optional nudge control. Alternatively, a powered unlock mechanism will be available early in 2007. The joint can be left in the free-swing mode during gait.

The LTI Locking Shoulder Joint can be used in both endo- and exo-skeletal prosthetic systems.

The L-codes approved in January 1, 2003 apply to this new shoulder joint:

L6646 - Upper extremity addition, shoulder joint, multipositional locking, flexion, adjustable abduction friction control, for use with body powered or external powered system

L6647 - Upper extremity addition, shoulder lock mechanism, body powered actuator

L6648 - Upper extremity addition, shoulder lock mechanism, external powered actuator

New LTI Remote Electrodes

Liberating Technologies, Inc. has introduced a new “Remote Electrode System” for frame-type sockets, test sockets and roll-on silicone sleeve applications. The low-profile amplifier case measures just 0.68” (17.3 mm) wide x 1.2” (31 mm) long x 0.188” (4.7 mm) thick and is designed to fit into confined spaces encountered within sockets. Clinicians can usually find a cavity for these small amplifier circuits without creating a bulge in the outer socket. As a result these electrodes enable clinicians to produce a more cosmetically appealing socket.

The performance of the amplifier circuit is similar to the popular cased myoelectrodes. They have gain adjustment making them suitable for all manufacturer's prosthetic controllers, non-microprocessor or microprocessor-based. The new Remote Electrode System uses various metal electrode contacts. These Cavity-Back contacts are inserted through the soft inner liner of a frame socket and are available in three configurations; medium or deep dome and a pediatric version.

LTI Distributes SKINERGY Leg Covers

SKINERGY™ protective leg covers are a new product manufactured by RSLSteeper using Tufsil 2, the latest innovation in silicone polymer technology. SKINERGY provides an extremely high level of cosmesis for the below knee or partial foot prosthesis, incorporating a unique seamless finish. Its improved tear resistance and 25% elasticity accommodates virtually all sockets and protects the prosthetic components of the leg. And each cover stretches to cover two foot sizes. SKINERGY is also stain resistant for longer life and can easily be cleaned with soap and water.

SKINERGY is now available in both split-toe and closed-toe versions making it suitable for all manufacturers’ prosthetic feet and with two calf sizes, it can accommodate all users. Both styles are available in four foot sizes and 12 colors. Colors are selected from a color swatch sample and toe nails are hand painted for a “semi-custom” finish. SKINERGY can be rolled down to access the underlying prosthetic hardware for maintenance and adjustments. If the leg cover is ever damaged, a patch kit is offered consisting of color-matched patches and adhesive.