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Ossur’s PROPRIO FOOT with Dynastream Innovation’s Monitoring Technology |
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June 15, 2007
Cochrane, ALBERTA (June 14, 2007) – Dynastream Innovations Inc. (Dynastream) today announced that Ossur’s artificially intelligent, motor-powered PROPRIO FOOT™ - featuring Dynastream’s unique sensing technology - has received a 2007 Gold Medical Design Excellence Award.
Developed by Ossur with electronic design and proprioceptive technology by Dynastream, the PROPRIO FOOT is the first prosthesis to offer automatic ankle flexion that emulates the physiological movement of a human foot. By accurately and reliably identifying the user’s every movement - walking up or down stairs, on level or sloping ground, or even relaxing on the couch - Dynastream’s sensor technology makes it possible for the foot to adapt naturally to various environments.
“The PROPRIO FOOT breaks new ground because it affords the user a very life-like freedom of motion,” stated Hilmar Janusson, global vice president of R&D for Ossur. “Dynastream’s monitoring technology has helped to make this foot both innovative and practical, and exceeds the function of other prostheses to date.”
Dynastream’s respected inertial sensing electronics and digital signal processing identifies the actual position of the foot, enabling the lifting and pointing of the active ankle. The highly accurate sensor technology detects when the heel strikes the ground and the toe lifts off, and also measures varying surface angles. This new functionality has been receiving winning reviews from prosthetic users.
“The foot’s anatomically correct response creates a more symmetrical and balanced gait and reduces the need to “hip hike” or load my entire body weight on the sound limb,” said Steve Burns, firefighter and PROPRIO FOOT user. “This reduces the energy that I have to expend to react to the environments I’m in.”
Dynastream was first recognized for its cutting-edge technology that measures human motion when the company created Speed and Distance Monitors (SDMs) for runners in collaboration with Nike, Polar and Suunto. Today, Dynastream is an industry leader in inertial sensing for motion analysis, with expertise in digital signal processing, ultra-low power wireless solutions, and electronics system design. As a technology partner, Dynastream Innovations Inc. proudly supports the Ossur vision of creating a life without limitations through quality and innovation.
“We are honored to be a part of Ossur’s bionic technology platform and the winning design for the PROPRIO FOOT” said Andrew Skarsgard, Dynastream’s vice president of Personal Monitoring. “Dynastream is committed to the continual advancement of world class monitoring products and technologies.”
DYNASTREAM INNOVATIONS
Dynastream Innovations Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq:GRMN) with world-leading expertise in the research and development of wireless and inertial technology for consumer, commercial, medical, sport and industrial markets. Website: www.dynastream.com
MDEA
The Medical Design Excellence Awards is the premier awards program for the worldwide medical technology community. Sponsored by MD&DI and organized by Canon Communications LLC, MDEA recognizes the ground breaking innovations that are changing the face of healthcare. Website: www.devicelink.com/expo/awards06/home
OSSUR
Ossur (Icelandic Stock Exchange: OSSR) is as much about helping people to live a life without limitations as it is about its orthopaedic products. A trusted and global leader in the development, manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing of bracing and support products and prosthetics, Ossur pioneers award-winning designs – including its Bionic Technology platform – and partners with the health practitioners who use them to deliver successful clinical and business outcomes. Headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland, the company has operations and a distribution network throughout the world. The company allocates an industry record of 6-8 percent of its revenue on research and development to conceive and harness the most advanced technologies for incorporation in its product designs, and provides extensive education programs through the Ossur Academy. Ossur is a 2006 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer.
Website: www.ossur.com
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