Storage And Bleeding; Movement Patterns; Standing; Walking - Otto Bock C-Brace Instructions For Use Manual

Use

9.2.1 Storage and bleeding

CAUTION
Air in the hydraulics
Falling due to unexpected product behaviour because of changed damping behaviour.
► Flex the joint to the stop several times until the play is largely eliminated.
► If the feeling of improper stance phase control remains after several attempts to bleed the air, the product
must be inspected by an authorised Ottobock Service Centre.
The product has an automatic venting mechanism that vents the hydraulics while walking.
In general, the product is vented automatically by movement during regular use.
Air may accumulate in the product if it is not used for an extended period of time. This is indicated by play (dead
travel) in the extension stop.
The following points need to be observed in order to vent the product:
► Flex the joint to the stop against the damping resistance several times until the play is largely eliminated.
To avoid accumulation of air in the product, the following points have to be observed:
• Store the product properly (fully flexed, thigh shell vertical).
• Avoid extended disuse of the product (use the product regularly).
INFORMATION
Minimal play is system-specific and impairs neither the function nor the safety of the product.

9.3 Movement patterns

CAUTION
Improper mode switching
Falling due to unexpected behaviour of the product because of changed damping behaviour.
► Ensure that the patient stands securely during all switching processes.
► Inform the patient that the changed damping characteristics have to be verified after switching and feedback
from the acoustic signal emitter (beeper) must be observed.
► Switching back to basic mode is mandatory once the activities in the additional mode have ended.
► Take weight off the product and correct the switching if required.

9.3.1 Standing

Knee control through high hydraulic resistance and static alignment.
The knee joint of the product has no locking function, so that slow bending is possible under
flexion load. To restore the stable standing position, place the leg back under the body and
put weight on the heel.
Manually switch to LOM (see Page 75) for extended standing.
INFORMATION: The 'Stance function timer [*20ms]' parameter can be configured
using the adjustment software. This causes high stance phase damping to be activ­
ated after the knee joint remains slightly flexed (5° to 20°) for the configured time
(STA mode (see Page 73)). This mode is deactivated by extending the knee joint.

9.3.2 Walking

Initial attempts at walking with the product always require instruction from trained, qualified
personnel. The hydraulics stabilise the knee joint in the stance phase and release the knee
joint in the swing phase so that the leg can swing forward freely.
To safely switch to the swing phase, the system requires special measurements and pre­
requisites. The fundamental prerequisite is a sufficient forefoot load with simultaneous exten­
sion of the product's knee joint. If this is not achieved, the leg cannot swing through.
INFORMATION: When walking on soft surfaces (forest floor), more force may be
required to trigger the swing phase.
70 C-Brace