Engineering Design Considerations of the ORLAU Swivel Walker

Self Cite

Swivel walkers were commonly prescribed for children with complete thoracic lesion myelomeningocele in the 1970s and 80s, when the incidence of spina bifida in the UK was of the order of 3 per 100,000 live births. The advent of reciprocal walking orthoses provided a more suitable alternative for those with good upper limb and trunk function, and swivel walkers were then used primarily for very young or more severely disabled patients. Pre-natal screening has dramatically reduced the incidence of spina bifida in the UK and subsequently swivel walkers have been used in a wider range of pathology, including spinal muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and other neurological conditions that lead to lower limb dysfunction. The detail design of these devices has been adapted to accommodate the specific problems encountered in these conditions. In particular the designs have been updated to: enable very young patients to be more readily fitted at the age of 1 year; allow the walking mechanisms to be conveniently adjusted for easier ambulation when weakness or lack of confidence inhibits performance; permit simple adjustment to a standing frame mode to enhance stability in situations of increased risk; promote manual handling practice that is compatible with the National Health Service (NHS) policy of compliance with relevant regulations. To underpin appropriate prescription and safe supply the NHS Procurement Agency have encouraged the development of a common course for all types of swivel walker.

Section: Swivel Walker Mechanicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

New technical advances in swivel walkers

Stallard

Lomas

Woollam

et al. 2003

Self Cite

“…[1=0 The principle was first applied by Spielrein (1963) who used it to enable children with no lower limbs to "walk" (Stallard et al, 1986).…”

Section: D(anglf)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…One patient who on average required repairs every three weeks to a previous design, experienced no failures on his ORLAU Swivel Walker over a two year period. Because of the modularised design, replacement parts are easily obtained on the rare occasions when this is necessary (Stallard et al, 1986).…”

Section: Fig 2 Details Of Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tetraplegic ambulation with the ORLAU swivel walker

Filho

Tamburus

Jorge

2001

“…1) has been developed which has special features that fall into two main categories: 1. postural support; 2. ambulation mechanics. Postural support in the VCG swivel walker is provided, as in conventional swivel walkers, by 4 point fixation (Stallard et al, 1986) but incorporates additional adjustability for positioning of the feet through variable heel cups in order to permit careful alignment of posture.…”

Section: Design Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Swivel walker ambulatory mechanism (Stallard et al, 1986;Rose and Henshaw, 1972) consists of two linked footplates, free to swivel about an essentially vertical axis, mounted beneath the baseplate, each one indexing forwards as the patient rocks from side to side.…”

Section: Design Featuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ORLAU VCG (variable centre of gravity) swivel walker for muscular dystrophy patients

Stallard

Henshaw²,

Lomas

et al. 1992

Self Cite

Swivel walkers are being increasingly used for muscular dystrophy patients in order to prolong the period of their ambulation. Existing designs did not address the special problems of accommodating such patients comfortably and providing the easier and more assured ambulation which their weakened condition requires. The ORLAU VCG (variable centre of gravity) swivel walker has been developed so that the walking mechanics can be adjusted independently of patient posture. Additional patient support features permit the patient to be secured in their chosen position of comfort prior to setting the ambulation mechanics. Patients using the device, which is now approved for supply by the Department of Health in England and Wales, have improved their walking performance and extended their period of walking.