Page 13 - Mobility Management, October 2018

Symmetric Designs’ Free Form Seating Receives E2617 Code
Free Form Seating from Symmetric Designs now has the E2617 HCPCS code for custom-fabricated wheelchair back cushions.
Unlike traditional custom-molded seating systems, Free Form Seating incorporates a modular, adjustable design so the back can be dialed
in to each client’s specific needs, including positioning challenges such as asymmetries.
Sam Hannah, ATP, Executive VP of
Symmetric Designs, said of the Free
Form system, “When a seating system
no longer fits a patient, it can lead to
complications such as worsening postures and pressure wounds. If a client has a flexible deformity, weight fluc- tuations or potential for postural changes, they should have a seating system that can be adjusted to give appropriate support and pressure distribution where and when needed. When the seating system is 100-percent adjustable and modular such as Free Form is, the patient benefits from continuing appropriate postural support that can adapt to their changing needs. This results in better clinical outcomes.”
Hannah said Free Form’s adjustability also takes some of the pressure off seating specialists to get a custom seating system locked down exactly on the very first try.
“Free Form is complex seating, simplified,” he said.
“We’ve put a lot of effort into creating
a custom seating product that ATPs, seating therapists and technicians can confidently and easily work with. The modularity and ability to make small
or large changes to the contouring and positioning, all with one tool, eliminate guesswork and the need
to account for change between the time of the prescription and the fitting. The included 4mm hex key is used for adjusting every component of Free Form. You can even try out different contours and postures for clients, all with one system! There is no risk to
getting it wrong; just use the tool to adjust as needed.” To further customize Free Form for each client,
Symmetric Designs offers optional Supracor Stimulite padding, and a breathable cover that contours to the back’s open shell design.
“Clients that benefit from Free Form are those
that need a custom backrest that will adapt to their changing needs,” Hannah said. “This includes children, clients with weight fluctuations, and those with fixed
or flexible postural deformities that need an intimately contoured custom backrest.”
To watch a Free Form fitting in action, or for more product details, visit the Symmetric Designs Web site: www.symmetric-designs.com/free-form-seating m
MK Battery’s Dennis Sharpe Retires
Dennis Sharpe, Director of Global HME Business for MK Battery, has retired.
In a July news announcement, MK Battery said Sharpe would retire at the end of August, thus closing out a 32-year career with the company and decades of service to the industry.
MK Battery Executive VP/General Manager Wayne Merdinger said in the announcement, “Dennis has been the heart and soul of our mobility business and has earned his place as a true legend in the industry. He helped pioneer the evolution from flooded automotive types to sealed VRLA batteries for use in wheelchair applications. Since then, he has continued to cultivate
extraordinary customer relationships,
represent MK Battery on international
wheelchair standards committees, advo-
cate for the industry on Capitol Hill, provide
invaluable technical knowledge about
batteries to industry stakeholders, and serve as an inte- gral member of our senior management team.”
Among Sharpe’s plans for retirement, the company said, is marketing “his own brand of fine wines on the central coast of California.”
Merdinger added, “We ask all our friends to join us in wishing Dennis the very best of health and happiness in the next exciting chapter of his story.” m
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Dennis Sharpe