Ottobock launches adaptable mechanical prosthetic foot – Evanto
Study proves more natural wearer comfort compared to well-known everyday prostheses
Medical technology company Ottobock is now offering an innovative mechanical prosthetic foot worldwide. Evanto resolves the contradiction between dynamics, flexibility and stability for the first time, making it a significant milestones in prosthetics.
Designed for mobility grades 2 to 4 (moderate to very active), Evanto is suitable for traditional everyday activities, short sprints to the next stop and longer hiking trips.
Arne Jörn, Chief Operation Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Ottobock, emphasises the importance of this new product:
“With Evanto, we are establishing a new foot segment that makes no compromises. In doing so, we are responding to the needs of our users for even greater mobility and enhanced quality of life. At the same time, we will be able to further expand and consolidate our reputation as an innovation leader.”
Innovative biomechanical design improves mobility
“Stability and flexibility of mechanical prosthetic feet tend to be somewhat contradictory characteristics, achieved either with compromises or a great deal of equipment, for example a controlled ankle joint. Evanto combines these divergent targets with a mechanical coupling that follows a bionic principle. This can provide significant relief for users in a wide variety of situations,” explains Martin Pusch, Research Engineer at Ottobock.
This is made possible by two highly elastic foam elements that can store up to 50 per cent more energy at heel strike than conventional mechanical carbon feet. At the same time, the Evanto’s compact design offers a high degree of flexibility, which enables the foot to adapt to different surfaces and slopes more effectively, allowing users to stand and walk comfortably. The waterproof prosthetic foot weighs just 450 grams (without shell).
Study participants prefer Evanto over their everyday prostheses
The benefits have been proven in, among other things, two clinical studies involving over 30 people with amputations. A validated test showed that the mobility of participants with Evanto was significantly improved in comparison to other allegedly "state-of-the-art" carbon feet they otherwise wore in everyday life. The participants also spoke about how wearing the prosthesis felt more natural.1
One of the participants in the study, Daniela Rüb from Nuremberg, says of her experiences with the carbon foot: “It makes me feel incredibly flexible when I walk. The rollover feels the same as with my healthy foot. When I’m out with Evanto, I forget I’m wearing a prosthesis.”
A gait analysis in the lab also revealed greater forward propulsion during toe-off – up to 14 per cent for transtibial amputees and 19 per cent for transfemoral amputees – which makes it easier for them to move forward.
Find out more about Evanto
1 “Prospective feasibility study to evaluate performance, patient benefits, and acceptance of a new 1C70 energy storage and return prosthetic foot”. Clinical study results for 20 transtibial amputees. Outcomes collected after 6 to 10 weeks of Evanto use. Data on file.
2“Evanto – Development-accompanying patient testing”. Results for 6 transtibial and 6 transfemoral amputees collected after approximately 3 months of Evanto use. Data on file.