Three times red dot “best of the best” for Otto Bock.
Quality “made in Germany” is asserting itself in terms of design: At the red dot design awards, the renowned international competition sponsored by the North Rhine Westphalia design center, German companies were honored in almost all of the 13 product categories. They included Porsche for the “911 Targa” and the faucet manufacturer Grohe for the “Ondus” instrument panel. No less than three products of medtech company Otto Bock HealthCare received the highest award, the red dot “best of the best”: The C-Leg® leg prosthesis system, the Trias prosthesis foot, and the Lumbo TriStep back orthosis were chosen as the best of the best in the product design category.
With nearly 5000 entries from almost 50 countries in the year 2006, the red dot design awards are among the largest design competitions in the world. The jury of renowned designers and design experts from all over the world evaluates the submitted products according to the criteria of innovation, functionality, and ergonomics. With three “best of the best” awards, Otto Bock HealthCare was able to become the overall awards leader this year.
“Quality for Life”
Otto Bock products are created under the motto “Quality for Life”. But the medtech company not only places great emphasis on innovative technologies and functionality, but also on an appealing design. This is because only those prosthetics that are also visually appealing to the wearer and easy to integrate into everyday life are able to unfold their full therapeutic effects.
More Mobility and Improved Quality of Life
With its products, Otto Bock HealthCare wants to help people with disabilities improve their mobility and quality of life. Thus the second generation of the C-Leg®, the first fully microprocessor-controlled leg prosthesis system in the world, was equipped with a wireless remote control and other features. The color of the carbon frame is noble anthracite; silver elements create fitting visual accents. With the new C-Leg®, wearers cannot just walk more safely but can also go bicycling, inline skating, or hiking in the mountains.
Nature as the Model
The human body is the model for Otto Bock technologies. The Trias prosthesis foot helps the wearer achieve an especially harmonic gait pattern. Linked double spring elements made from carbon dampen the impact when stepping down and support rollover. This makes for a very natural movement. With its slim shape, the Lumbo TriStep back orthosis optimally adapts to the body. It is extremely lightweight, solid but also flexible, and permits rehabilitation of the lumbar spine in three stages. Patient mobility is increased incrementally.
High Quality Designs
The jury awarded the red dot for high quality designs to the Blizzard active wheelchair and the Genu Arexa knee orthosis from Otto Bock. With its custom-made rigid frame, the Blizzard appears sporty and elegant. It is maneuverable and compact, and is easy to handle even in cramped rooms. Due to its low weight, it can be easily stowed by the user without requiring excessive strength. Among other things, the Genu Arexa knee orthosis convinced the jury due to its body-friendly design. In combination with the anatomically placed straps, it provides stability for the knee joint after cruciate ligament and collateral ligament injuries. Due to the innovative “Click 2 Go Joint System”, the range of movement prescribed by the physician can be established quickly without the use of tools.
Staying Active and Mobile
The outdoor vehicle SuperFour®, which received the Universal Design Award from the State of Lower Saxony at the CeBit in Hanover, opens up a whole new dimension of mobility and design. The hybrid-electric vehicle can drive on sand, through puddles, and on uneven terrain; it also handles grades of up to 40 percent.
It has a range of up to 200 kilometers and is easy to operate using the joystick controls. In addition, the all-wheel steering system of the SuperFour® ensures great maneuverability.
Additional information:
Joachim F. Hamacher
Director of Corporate Communications/Public Relations
Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH, Max-Näder-Str. 15, 37115 Duderstadt
Phone: +49 5527 848-1239, Fax: +49 5527 848-3360
Mobile: +49 170 9 20 79 97
E-mail: Joachim.Hamacher@ottobock.de
