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and occupational therapists, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners and technicians, and other allied healthcare professionals. "Our services range from prosthetics, orthotics and pedorthics to mastectomy and compression garments," Bob explains. "Specialization in the most advanced technology is the core of our business. Recent years of combat war escalated investment in prosthetic and orthotic technology. There are now hundreds of different prosthetic and orthotic options. Our knowledge of available products for upper and lower extremity clients is cultivated by the frequency with which we are invited to clinically assess new products in development." TCOP's academic research and product partnerships in the industry have earned the company a reputation for offering innovative anatomical socket designs and the most advanced technology available. M.A.S. Socket: A New Option for Above-the-knee Amputees The design of the M.A.S. Socket, a lower-limb socket, is anatomically shaped to lock onto the bony structure of the body while controlling femur stability. Skin- friendly materials and lower trim lines allow better range of motion, significantly increased comfort, and a pleasing cosmetic appearance that is not visible through tight-fitting clothing. "We want above-the-knee amputees to be able to cross their legs without irritation in the groin area," Bob explains. "We want them to be able to freely bend over in a sitting or standing position. Some socket designs are too rigid to allow that, but the flexible plastics and design of the M.A.S. Socket improve comfort so that patients can perform these motions." EMS Socket: Greater Control for Maximum Range of Motion Another socket technology TCOP uses is the EMS socket, a dynamically acti- vated, vacuum-managed, multisurfaced, flexible inner socket system. The socket is covered with tiny nubs that increase linkage between the residual limb and socket by 400 percent compared with any other socket design available. "We generally fit it with an elevated vacuum system that maximizes patient outcomes in all activities of daily living," explains Mike Tillges, CPO. "This design increases circulation, creates a better link to the limb and improves proprioception with the prosthesis. All of these factors improve the prosthetic fit and function and make it feel lighter, while maintaining a healthier limb and skin." High-Fidelity (HiFi) Socket: A Biodesign Reproducing the Natural Motion of Bone The newly developed High-Fidelity (HiFi) Socket is distinguished by the intrinsic bone stabilization it provides. The design locks onto the bone, improving anatomical stability. The original tech- nology was developed for above-elbow amputees, to provide the stability to anchor the weight of elbow and hand prostheses with microprocessors, bat- teries, and motorized wrists and fingers. HiFi technology then moved from upper to lower extremity. TCOP has been offering HiFi Socket technology since 2012 and is currently the only licensed company in the Twin Cities to offer it. "Using clear plastic diagnostic sockets allows for a visual examination of the residual limb to identify problem areas," Bob explains. "We look for areas of no contact or too much pressure. We've fit hundreds of these sockets, converting many patients from earlier sockets into this design without a single failure. The results increase performance, control, sta- bility, range of motion, function, comfort and provide a much lighter feeling in both upper and lower extremity prosthesis for the amputees." A Range of Prostheses for Every Activity Once a socket is fitted, it can be used with a number of different types of pros- thetic componentry. There are special components for swimming, biking, moun- tain climbing and scuba diving. In some cases, different prosthetic components can be used with the same socket. "Attaching different prosthetic compo- nentry to the same socket adds weight," Bob says. "This may be fine for the every- day recreational runner, but a competitive runner wants to reduce weight. For that patient, we will build a customized run- ning leg with its own socket. We love it when our patients challenge us. I am currently designing a unique prosthetic leg for a horse lover who wants to ride again. I'm going to use the HiFi Socket to make that happen for her." The i-limb Ultra Prosthetic Hand: Looks and Moves like a Natural Hand This microprocessor hand is the only prosthetic hand able to gradually increase the strength of its grip. Each finger has its own motor control. Using the muscles in the residual limb, the wearer can open and close the hand, rotate the wrist, and execute a variety of pinches. "You can hold a finger down on an object and shut the rest of the fingers to operate a computer," Bob says. "Another motion allows you to operate a key in a lock or start a car. You can also increase or decrease the speed movements. Patients TCOP patient Troy and employee Aaron play a game of basketball. M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Minnesota | 7

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