SelfCare

March 8, 2012 

Greetings!

 

Today, Thursday, March 08, 2012 is the final day for the exhibits at ISS (International Seating Symposium). Major rehab manufacturers from around the world are introducing new products and have their best products at the Westin Bayshore (1601 Bayshore Drive, Vancouver). It is the best rehab show in North American and you should go today. Here's a short preview of what you can see:

New Wheelchairs

  • Motion Composites, the Canadian manufacturer of the Helio carbon fiber wheelchair is introducing 2 new wheelchairs:
    • Helio A7 - starting at $2700 an ultra lightweight 7000 aluminum folding wheelchair using ground breaking technology to construct the same symmetrical cross brace as the Helio, but in aluminum. Very similar in weight to the Helio, but without the propulsion efficiencies and vibration absorpsion of carbon fibre (as found in the Helio)
    • Helio Fusion - � titanium and � carbon fiber. Ultralight wheelchair with fixed style front end constructed in titanium and the rear frame constructed in carbon fiber for absorbing vibration. The new rear axle plate is adjustable in �" increments and is the most adjustable axle in the industry. 24 lbs with everything, it still folds for transport convenience.
  • Sunrise Medical has a new manual wheelchair in the lightweight category, placed between the LXI and the Quickie 2 Lite in their product line:
    • QXi - is produced with a one piece frame to provide rigid chair performance in a folding wheelchair. Providing a 13" seat to floor with a 5" caster, it provides another good option for foot propellers. New style flip back arms look like a single post arm, but can be easily flip back from 2 release points and are removable. New adjustable angle antippers accommodate changes in the seat the floor height. The weight is similar to the Quickie2.
    • QM710 - new power using the same base as the Pulse 6 power wheelchair but with 11" elevating seat and tilt. This chair is not yet available in Canada
  • Pride has 2 new power wheelchairs being introduced:
    • 1450 Bariatric power wheelchair with 600 lb weight capacity and 600 lb weight capacity tilt replacing the 1650 and 1420.
    • Rival R400 - new rear wheel drive using the same G4 motors as the edge. This chair offers the new footrests with an angle adjustment from 60 degrees to 90 degrees. These new footrests will also be transitioned onto other Pride power wheelchairs.
New Power Assessories - JoyBar

The JoyBar is something you will want to try. Think scooter tiller mounted in front of the seat for a power wheelchair. Robust - no more jamming the joystick into tables or desks, it is intuitive like a scooter tiller. Easy to retrofit onto even basic joysticks. Not in full production and expected to be an option for power wheelchair users in 3 months. Upstairs at ISS. 
JoyBar attached to front of power wheelchair
New Seating
  • Otto Bock is introducing 3 new cushions, the Terra, Aquos and Aerial. All with very new and unique formulations including "rest suspension" foam and, in the Aerial, the exclusive BREATHAIR core (think nylon soccer netting in a tight compact package), producing an ultralight cushion to reduce heat and moisture buildup.
  • Supracor has the new Stimulite on Top which combines a foam base with a top 1" layer of Supracor honeycomb product to produce a lower priced alternative.
  • ROHO introduces the new Agility back currently in 2" and 3" depths with a 3 cell wide row of polyurethane inflatable air cells down the centre of the spine. Each cell is 1 � " square and the number of cells high is dictated by the height of the back. With an aluminum shell, the Agility back cells are surrounded by a medium density visco foam.
Otto Bock Breathair Insert

With only these few examples, there is every reason to head down to the Bayshore today. Even one hour is a great investment of your time. Surprisingly there seemed to be parking at the meters close around the Bayshore and in the parking garage across the street from the Bayshore entrance.

 

Walk in to the exhibit halls and see what the future holds!

 

In this issue...
New Wheelchairs
Power Accessories
New Seating
Quick Links

 

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