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Horton Achieves Technology Breakthrough
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Kathy, a polio patient from Florida, Participated in clinical trials with orthotist last August. |
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Gary Horton, CO, has accomplished what hundreds of
engineers around the world have tried to do-and failed. After eight
years of hard work, Horton and a team of specialists he put
together have developed the Stance Control Orthotic Knee Joint.
"We have dreamed for ages of having a knee joint for orthotic
patients that would automatically unlock for swing phase but safely
re-engage for stance stability," said John Michael, CPO, FISPO,
FAAOP, who is conducting practitioner qualification courses for the
device. The only other somewhat similar product is a device in
Scandinavia with limited applications, Michael said. "It has failed
twice in the US market and is more complicated and costly," he
added.
The joint allows a KAFO to lock the knee at heel strike and
release at heel off, providing a normal gait. The joint is ideal
for patients with weak quads due to polio, spinal cord injuries,
and other conditions. The joint, which has a switch, can be used
three ways: 1) free knee, 2) locked in 180-degree extension, and 3)
stance control mode.
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The Horton Stance Control Knee Brace Joint has a switch and can be used in three ways: 1) free knee, 2) locked in 180-degree extension, or 3) stance control mode. |
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Gary Horton's voice resonates with enthusiasm as
he describes the knee joint's development. Horton owns Horton's
Orthotic Lab, Little Rock, Arkansas, along with offices in
Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Searcy, Arkansas; and satellite clinics
in Batesville and Greenville, both in Mississippi. The story began
when Horton asked the NASA Technology Transfer Program at the
Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama, for
assistance with a different product he was working on. The
Technology Transfer Program encourages broad use of MSFC-developed
technologies by American private enterprise. Horton was invited to
MSFC to discuss this other project. Learning that Horton is an
orthotist, engineers showed him some designs for a knee joint.
One particular design by Neill Myers caught his eye. Together
NASA engineers and Horton's company worked on the design. A
prototype was produced and Horton's signed a licensing agreement
with Marshall.
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Pete, a Delta Airlines pilot injured in a traffic accident, wears the Stance Control Knee Joint Brace. Pete hopes that the brace will enable him to fly again. |
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However, design problems remained. The device was
difficult to machine. Further work was needed. Horton enlisted the
aid of the Arkansas Manufacturing Extension Network, a program of
the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority. The Network offers
assistance to manufacturers through field engineers stationed in
various cities. The engineer enlisted to assist Horton was John
Hebard of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Together they
found solutions, and the Horton Stance Control Knee Joint was ready
to launch.
A highlight for Gary Horton was the inclusion of the knee brace
as one of a handful of technologies featured during an observance
honoring the tenth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) at the vice president's residence in October, 2000. An
orthosis incorporating the Stance Control Knee Joint was the only
O&P technology included and presented to then-Vice President Al
Gore.
Practitioner qualification courses for the new device have been
filled. At the recent American Academy of Orthotists and
Prosthetists (AAOP) meeting in Orlando, Florida, the Horton's booth
was extremely busy and the qualification course overflowed with 90
practitioners, when only about 35 were expected.
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A boy, along with his father and sister, enjoys last year's |
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Teamwork between government and private
enterprise, as well as Gary Horton's vision and willingness to fund
the dream largely out of his own pocket has brought space
technology to earth for the benefit of countless rehabilitation
patients.
Patient Criteria
Indications:
- Isolated quad weakness/absence
- Unilateral leg paralysis/paresis
- Increased stability for FR AFO candidates
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Eric 33, was injured in a hang gliding accident. He traveled from canada with his orthotist for the clinical trials last August. Eric loves to dance and has been able to enjoy this pastime with his new brace. |
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- Increased stability for offset knee KAFO wearers
- Increased stability for free knee KAFO wearers
- Increased stability for solid ankle/PFstop AFO wearers
Contraindications:
- Total loading >200 lb./91k
- Significantly impaired cognition, balance, or motivation
- Uncorrectable genu varum/valgum >10 degrees
- Knee flexion contracture >10 degrees
- Biological knee joint >5 degrees off line of progression in
swing phase
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Eric 33, was injured in a hang gliding accident. He traveled from canada with his orthotist for the clinical trials last August. Eric loves to dance and has been able to enjoy this pastime with his new brace. |
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Ashely, age 10, who has spina bifida, shows off her First Place trophy during the 2001 |
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Table Of Contents - May 2002
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