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Say hello to new possibilities for your patients. These prosthetic and orthotic devices are specifically engineered to withstand the challenges of water, allowing for patients to participate in their favorite aquatic activities with ease and confidence.
Background
Many individuals live, work, and play in environments that have water exposure. This may include a spring rain shower on the golf course or watching the kids play around the pool. However, recreational needs are just part of the functional picture.
The most important applications for waterproof components are at home or work. Cleaning the gutters at home, cleaning up a workshop, or handling a construction job are very practical examples of the need for a worry-free prosthesis.
Waterproofing
In manufacturing, ingress protection (IP) describes the degree to which a device’s electronics are protected against dust, solids, and liquids such as water. The prosthetics industry uses the same designations to describe levels of waterproofness for microprocessor knees and feet.
C-Leg 4 has an IP 68 rating. The new C-Leg 4 is protected from occasional submersion in fresh water up to 3 meters for 1 hour. The mechanical components are not corrosion resistant.
Genium has an IP 67 rating. Genium is protected from occasional submersion in fresh water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The mechanical components are not corrosion resistant.
Genium X3 has an IP 68 rating and is protected from full submersion in all water types (fresh, salt, chlorinated) up to 3 meters for 1 hour. Genium X3 materials are all treated with a special alloy which makes it corrosion resistant and waterproof.
It’s important to remember that the IP rating only refers to protection for the product’s electronics. Microprocessor knees have both electronic and mechanical parts. Therefore, a fully waterproof knee must also be corrosion resistant to ensure that both the electronic and mechanical parts are protected.
That’s the reason Ottobock uses the terms water resistant and waterproof. Ottobock water resistant knees protect the electronics against limited submersion in fresh water. Ottobock waterproof knees protect both the electronics and the mechanical parts from full submersion in fresh, salt and chlorinated water.
Maintenance
Each individual user is responsible for maintaining their prosthesis. Even waterproof knees benefit from regular care. When prosthetic components are exposed to corrosive elements such as chlorinated water or salt water, the components should be thoroughly rinsed with fresh water, drained of excess moisture, and then dried with a lint-free towel.
It is often helpful to pair a waterproof knee with a foot that can drain water through the pyramid or the foot shell. This makes maintenance easier for the user.
For more details, please refer to the products' respective Instructions for Use.
