The following product is now represented by Medifab New Zealand
How dynamic seating works
Dynamic seating provides movement within a wheelchair. When the client moves, the dynamic seating components move with the client, maintaining alignment with the seating system for postural support and stability. The Dynamic Rocker Back, Dynamic Footrests, and Dynamic Headrest can be used individually, or in combination, to meet an individual’s needs.
Clients who extend within the seating system or seek out movement may benefit from dynamic seating. Dynamic components absorb and diffuse force, protecting both the client and the wheelchair seat and frame from damage. Absorbing force may reduce muscle tone. Providing movement can increase alertness and decrease agitation. Dynamic seating can improve quality of life for many wheelchair users and their caregivers. |
What Danial's Mum Mary has to say..
“If it weren’t for Seating Dynamics my son’s knees would still be swollen & bruised and he would still be breaking wheelchairs by shearing screws in half when he pushes with his high muscle tone. The moving parts allow him to be comfortable for longer periods of time and alleviates his pressure points, along with more options for positioning adjustments.”
Rocker Back
The Seating Dynamics Rocker Back Interface is installed between the seat and the back of a wheelchair and provides movement of the back to absorb forces and assist the client back to upright. This movement can protect both the client from injury and the seating system and mobility base from breakage. This movement can also reduce extension and provide movement to reduce agitation, increase alertness, and provide sensory input.
The Seating Dynamics Rocker Back interface (DRBi) is the original and most widely used aftermarket bolt on “dynamic back”. In ten years of production, it has grown from a single wheelchair application to currently being available for approximately fifty different manual and power wheelchairs. It is two self-contained suspension assemblies installed between each of the seat rails and the back canes of a wheelchair. The design incorporates both impact and rebound control using urethane elastomers. Each unit ships with a full set of four different elastomers to allow fine tuning to the individual user’s requirements. The back can be latched to lock out this movement. It is our recommendation that the latch plate be in the UNLOCKED position at all times with two exceptions: When the wheelchair is being transported in a vehicle. When the wheelchair is being pushed by an attendant on a surface other than smooth flooring to reduce the risk of inducing spasms due to movement of the wheelchair. The DRBi latch plate is red to make this more conspicuous. When the latch plate is rotated to the up position, the word “Locked” is clearly readable and the dynamic function is disabled. When rotated to the down position, the word “Unlocked” is clearly readable and the dynamic function is enabled. The engraving gives a clear indication of the status of the latch plate, and the dynamic function.” |
Footrests
Dynamic Footplate
The dynamic, energy absorbing footrest provides a significant range of motion. A traditional wheelchair footplate only provides a place to park the foot and when subjected to severe use they do not hold up. The dynamic footrests helps by absorbing the energy transmitted by the user’s movement, while also providing therapeutic benefits by allowing users to experience motion not available with traditional footrests. Dynamic footrests provide new functional capabilities while adding durability to solve the most demanding needs.
Dynamic Footrests provide up to three types of movement – a telescoping movement, knee extension, and plantar/dorsi flexion. By providing movement in response to client movement, forces are absorbed, protecting both the client and the wheelchair frame and seating system from harm. Extensor tone is absorbed and diffused, reducing overall tone and posturing. Movement is provided, which can increase sitting tolerance, decrease agitation, and increase alertness. Finally, by providing movement within a limited range, the lower extremities may experience strengthening.
Some clients may benefit from only the telescoping feature. This client may have very tight hamstrings which limit active knee extension. The telescoping feature can still absorb and diffuse force.
Knee extension, in combination with the telescoping feature, follows the natural arc of movement which occurs when the knee is straightened.When the lower extremity is extended, extension may be seen at the hip, knee, and even ankle (plantar flexion). The plantar/dorsi flexion dynamic movement absorbs this force at the ankle
Some clients may benefit from only the telescoping feature. This client may have very tight hamstrings which limit active knee extension. The telescoping feature can still absorb and diffuse force.
Knee extension, in combination with the telescoping feature, follows the natural arc of movement which occurs when the knee is straightened.When the lower extremity is extended, extension may be seen at the hip, knee, and even ankle (plantar flexion). The plantar/dorsi flexion dynamic movement absorbs this force at the ankle
Static Footplate
Should your needs not require dynamic movement but complex positioning we offer a variety of angle adjustable footrest to position the footplate anywhere you need it. Our angle adjustable joint is machined from steel and aluminum components and utilizes a 48 tooth spline, easily providing 7.5° incremental adjustments. The adjustable joints are available for these three locations, windswept conditions, knee angle, and ankle. For severely contracted lower extremities a Super Contracture angle adjustable knee hanger is available. The components are quickly and easily adjusted and once positioned and clamped they will not move, guaranteed! All static footrests are compatible with our flip up one piece foot rest.
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Head Rest
Meet the newest member of the family! This adaptive head support hardware was designed from the ground up for the 21st Century. Using a proven design from our dynamic footrest, the Single Axis Dynamic Head Support mount pivots to provide movement more aligned with the cervical vertebrae for better positioning. All of the moving parts are built-in for increased durability, not added on! No springs, no sliding tubes, and nothing to jam or protrude behind the wheelchair. Just simple dynamic movement.
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware provides smooth dynamic movement capable of accommodating hyperextension of the head, diffusing and absorbing force to protect the client, protecting the hardware, and reducing overall extensor tone. The Dynamic Head Support can be used on its own or in combination with the Dynamic Rocker Back and Dynamic Footrests.
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware provides smooth dynamic movement capable of accommodating hyperextension of the head, diffusing and absorbing force to protect the client, protecting the hardware, and reducing overall extensor tone. The Dynamic Head Support can be used on its own or in combination with the Dynamic Rocker Back and Dynamic Footrests.
Many clients cannot achieve or remain in a neutral head position. As the client moves, the head may not return to the head support in a consistent position. The head support hardware must be highly adjustable to meet these needs, yet not slip out of position.
In addition to providing movement, this head support holds its position. Many head supports move out of position due to their ball and socket design. Our adjusting joints uses multiple discs to maximize the contact surface, 3.5 times the clamping area of a 1” ball and over 10 times the clamping area of cone style hardware, yet consuming only slightly more space, still easy for small hands to grasp. The position of the attached head pads can be adjusted in up to 5 axes for reach, extension or rotation by using a 5 or 6mm Allen wrench.
New Features of Headrest
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware for wheelchairs can now be locked out, as needed. Simply pull out the red knob at the base of the hardware to lock out movement. Push the red knob to unlock and enable movement at the neck and head. Seating Dynamics Dynamic Head Supports manufactured after February 2023 will include this feature. If you have existing Dynamic Head Support Hardware, we can provide a retrofit kit. Just contact us!
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware lock out feature may be used in the following clinical scenarios:
In addition to providing movement, this head support holds its position. Many head supports move out of position due to their ball and socket design. Our adjusting joints uses multiple discs to maximize the contact surface, 3.5 times the clamping area of a 1” ball and over 10 times the clamping area of cone style hardware, yet consuming only slightly more space, still easy for small hands to grasp. The position of the attached head pads can be adjusted in up to 5 axes for reach, extension or rotation by using a 5 or 6mm Allen wrench.
New Features of Headrest
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware for wheelchairs can now be locked out, as needed. Simply pull out the red knob at the base of the hardware to lock out movement. Push the red knob to unlock and enable movement at the neck and head. Seating Dynamics Dynamic Head Supports manufactured after February 2023 will include this feature. If you have existing Dynamic Head Support Hardware, we can provide a retrofit kit. Just contact us!
The Dynamic Head Support Hardware lock out feature may be used in the following clinical scenarios:
- During transportation
- When moving over rough terrain to limit excessive head movement, as needed
- During feeding to provide client stability, as needed
- During any other functional task where more stability is required
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