Page 22 - Mobility Management, July 2017

ATP Series
Best Picks 2017
Looking Forward: Prototypes & Future Stars
This year (and for past Best Picks lists), we received nomina- tions of complex rehab technology (CRT) products not yet available for widespread sale or distribution.
Beta testing and focus groups are important parts of CRT product development — and at times, the ATPs and clinicians who take part in such testing have nominated an impressive prototype for a Best Picks award.
Because a product in development is likely to change, it’s not eligible for a Best Picks award. The Best Picks program highlights CRT products currently available for distribution in the United States and/or Canada — which could mean that a power chair or alternative driving control you’ve heard buzz about or even tested isn’t currently eligible.
We’ve also noticed that while an ATP or clinician can nominate a product that recently launched, we’ve histori- cally received more nominations of products with successful histories. It seems Best Picks participants often prefer
to observe a product in action over a period of time, or perhaps with multiple clients in different settings, before giving it their stamp of approval. Best Picks history suggests that a product might have to pay its dues in the field for a few years before being nominated.
That doesn’t mean we don’t have our eyes on promising prototypes or new launches. We look forward to following their evolution and perhaps to seeing them one day on a future Best Picks list. — Ed.
M3 Corpus
The integrated mouse/Bluetooth module allows mounting to the rear, which allows alternate drive clients to interact with their environment when funding sources are limited. The caster wheels’ new shape allows changing direction without a lot of unin- tended movement, which is crucial for an alternate drive client.
— Jeff Decker, ATP/SMS, CRTS, National Seating & Mobility
TR Wheelchair
The fixed titanium TiLite
(TR, pictured) is my go-to
chair mainly with spinal
cord injury (SCI) clients.
There is no need for
growth or major adjust-
ment with post five-year-
plus clients, so getting rid
of the numerous adjust-
ments allows for a much
lighter chair and no excess
wear/slop in the fixed
chair from years of use.
They hold up to the rigors of an active SCI client for years with little or no wear/breakage.
— Jeff Decker, ATP/SMS, CRTS, National Seating & Mobility Permobil/TiLite
(800) 545-2266
permobilus.com
multiCHAIR 6000
I use the Nuprodx line \\\\\\\[multiCHAIR 6000, pictured\\\\\\\] of bath transfer equipment mainly due to the ability to adjust for varied bathroom layouts, the narrow width of the transport section, and it’s made of metal vs. plastic. This allows for very little wear/breakage with years of use, and it can handle
M3 is a great progression of Permobil’s mid- wheel-drive chair that users find very appealing functionally and aesthetically. The anterior tilt Active Reach options are changing the way we can view transfer solutions, and it also allows users to accomplish activities of daily living in
a safer and easier way, including reaching into high cabinets and beyond obstruction.
— Robert Houston, ATP, Numotion
Permobil
(800) 736-0925
permobilus.com
20 JULY 2017 | MOBILITY MANAGEMENT
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