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New Prosthetic Foot Line Revealed A new kid on the block, Freedom Innovations Inc.
(FI), made its formal debut into the prosthetics world by
announcing its Freedom Series of prosthetic feet at the 2002
American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association (AOPA) National
Assembly October 9-12 in Chicago.
The Freedom Series includes three new prosthetic feet-the FS
1000, 2000 and 3000 models-that are "more affordable and accessible
than any high-performance artificial feet currently on the market,"
according to Richard M. Myers, Jr., FI president and chief
operating officer.
The feet are the invention of Dr. Roland Christensen, who for 17
years has been a designer and provider of prosthetic products, the
company noted.
Myers said all FI's new models utilize patented technology that
provide feet with the highest degree of performance while
simulating natural foot motion for amputees with moderate to high
activity needs.
"Freedom Innovations was formed to use innovative thinking and
technologies to create revolutionary prosthetic products," he said,
adding that the Freedom Series is designed to meet the
prosthetists' demand for high quality at affordable prices.
"However, we also combine big company ingenuity with small company
convenience and service for both prosthetists and end-users,
including custom orders, same-day shipping and personalized
customer contact," Myers said.
 He explained that, until now, the biggest
challenge facing prosthetic feet manufacturers was providing a
device that not only was flexible and resilient for comfort, but
also strong and durable enough to withstand higher levels of
activity and various weights of the users.
"The amputee is often forced to use one prosthesis for normal,
everyday ambulation, and another for more strenuous or athletic
activity," said Myers.
"In a natural foot," explained Christensen, who holds several
patents for his prosthetic devices, "the foot and toe flex and
adapt to conform to the slope of the terrain. However, previous
artificial feet with a unitary foot and toe platform were incapable
of such independent response. Almost all of the past designs have
focused only on ankle or foot movement for the purpose of walking
or running. Few designs consider the workings of the toes or the
less conspicuous movements of the foot and ankle."
Each foot in the FS Series is designed with two basic key
elements-the upper member that is coupled to the amputee, and the
lower member comprising the heel and toe.
Using the company's patented system, energy is transferred
between both members to vary the foot's stiffness according to the
user's needs.
Myers said FI is able to provide the high-performance,
high-quality prosthetics at much lower prices than its competitors
due to its low-cost manufacturing facility in Fayette, Utah. This
"factory direct" price savings is passed directly on to the
prosthetist, instead of being lost with a "middle man" provider, he
said.
Freedom Series Features
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FS1000 |
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All Freedom Innovation products are designed to be
lightweight and strong, the company said. "Produced with carbon
fiber composite materials, each features simple, low-stress, high-
strength construction eliminating potential 'stress concentrations'
caused by bolt connections. The full-length sole plate eliminates
'dead spots,' guaranteeing smooth transitions throughout the gait
cycle. These features, combined with a 'soft toe' to also assist in
a smoother rollover, are found nowhere else in the industry."
Freedom Innovations offers every customer a free foot cover and
the longest warranty-36 months--available in the industry on feet
and composite components, the company said.
FS 1000
"The FS 1000-ideal for the new lower limb amputee-is unique for
its 'angle-top' design that creates a level of shock absorbance
without the energy loss typically associated with shock absorbing
systems," Myers said, adding, "Most shock-absorbing systems do not
return energy, they just dampen it." The product also provides
higher energy storage capacity for a given volume than its
competitors by utilizing a longer foot member, he added.
FS 2000
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FS2000 |
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This "low profile foot" is designed to be used
when clearance is an issue. Featuring a very low finish height to
maximize prosthetic configuration options, it also is lightweight,
durable and suited to all activity levels, Myers said, adding that,
from the prosthetists' perspective, the FS 2000 series is easy to
fit and finish cosmetically.
FS 3000
The FS 3000 is designed for low to moderately active amputees
with long residual limbs. It also can be used by transfemoral
amputees who have a clearance issue that is secondary to their knee
frame and for fabrication of exoskeletal prostheses.
About Freedom Innovations
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FS3000 |
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Describing its beginning, Freedom Innovations
noted that it was founded in early 2002 by a trio of experts with
nearly 100 years combined experience in the medical device
manufacturing industry and related areas of business. "It is the
vision of Roland Christiansen, PhD, chief executive officer;
Richard N. Myers Jr., president and chief operating officer; and
James Gordon, director of operations, to create the best and most
affordable lower-limb prostheses possible for amputees who desire a
quick and easy return to normal activity following their
surgeries," a news release from the company stated.
For more information, contact
Freedom Innovations
2452 Pomona Rincon Road
Corona, California 92880
909. 817.0984
www.freedom-innovations.com 
Table Of Contents - October 2002
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