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. The Genium 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. 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 9^th 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^® 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
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