May 15, 2018 | News, Spring Loaded Technology
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Spring Loaded Technology on Tuesday used a press conference to show what its Levitation knee brace means to the people who use it –especially to users who suffer from osteoarthritis.
The manufacturer held the media event at its Dartmouth headquarters to announce a $460,000 loan from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program, and the launch of a new add-on product for the Levitation.
But the highlight was a video and speech by Jane Grover of the Annapolis Valley, who explained what the knee brace – which not only stabilizes the joint but adds to its power – has meant to herself and her granddaughter.
Grover, 64, said the Levitation knee brace has helped her granddaughter Kelsie, who has muscular dystrophy, continue to enjoy exercise and outdoor life in spite of her disease. So, when Grover found out she herself needed a second knee replacement, she opted for a Levitation knee brace instead.
“I was offered surgery within a month but I declined because of my faith in the Levitation knee brace that my granddaughter Kelsie was wearing,” said Grover, who mounted the stage wearing one of the devices. [Watch the video here.]
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Spring Loaded began six years ago when Chris Cowper-Smith (now the CEO) and two co-founders set out to design a knee brace that would store energy when the knee joint is bent and release it when the leg is straightened. The company launched its Levitation knee last June, and its sales have risen steadily, especially among osteoarthritis patients.
“It’s the most attractive market to us because it’s the market where we actually got pull,” said COO Dawn Umlah in an interview. She added that the 14 million people in Canada and the U.S. living with osteoarthritis have no other suitable alternatives.
On Tuesday, the company unveiled its new Levitation Offloader, an add-on to the knee brace that improves performance for osteoarthritis patients.
“With the launch of the Levitation Offloader, we’re able to offer customized relief to further reduce pressure on the worst-affected compartment of the knee,” said Cowper-Smith in a statement. “This allows us to better support a wider range of osteoarthritis patients, to reduce wear and tear and provide the pain relief they need.”
The statement said conventional knee braces only address a narrow range of arthritis cases–uni-compartment tibiofemoral arthritis–which account for less than 4 percent of knee arthritis cases. Spring Loaded said its knee brace is the only one capable of reducing forces in all three compartments of the knee.
The company will use the ACOA funding to expand its manufacturing capacity and increase its output. It has increased its staff 40 percent year-on-year and now employs 35 people, said Umlah. She added Spring Loaded is now raising equity capital, though she declined to say how much.
Spring Loaded is one of three Nova Scotia life sciences companies to announce loans from ACOA’s Business Development Program this week.
Adaptiiv, formerly 3DBolus, announced it has received funding of $328,943. The company has developed software that works with 3D printers to produce a personalized bolus — a plastic fitting used in radiation therapy. The company recently announced a distribution deal with CIVCO Radiotherapy.
And Sona Nanotech announced a $500,000 BDP loan. Sona, which produces gold nanorods for medical markets, is going through the process of gaining a listing on the TSX Venture exchange. ]]>
Sep 21, 2016 | News, Spring Loaded Technology
here
Research scientists find the LevitationTM Knee Brace enables users to perform 20 percent more squats
HALIFAX, NS – Sept. 20, 2016 – Spring Loaded Technology today reports the findings of a recent third-party study which links its LevitationTM, the world’s first compact bionic knee brace, to a significant reduction in factors that can lead to muscle fatigue. Research scientists observed the oxygen intake, carbon dioxide production and muscle activity of three healthy individuals as they repeated a squat to stand task with and without the assistance of the knee brace.
The study found that the LevitationTM Knee Brace, which uses a liquid spring technology to store energy as the leg is bent and return it as the leg is straightened, requires significantly less exertion from the user during energy expensive movements like rising to a stand from a full squat or crouched position. Data from the study revealed that participants used 25 percent less oxygen during the task cycle when compared to their consumption without the brace’s assistance. The researchers also found a drastic 40 percent reduction in carbon dioxide production.
The study was performed through the NSERC Engage Program at the University of New Brunswick by research scientists, Dr. Chris McGibbon in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Abeer Mohamed Abdelhady, PhD Candidate in the Dept. Mechanical Engineering.
“With the knee brace’s assistance, participants consumed less energy and were able to do more physical activity as measured with our squat test,” said Dr. Chris McGibbon. “The participants in this study also demonstrated a reduced respiratory exchange ratio (RER) while wearing the LevitationTM, meaning that they were burning more fat stores than carbohydrates. These findings are consistent with Spring Loaded Technology’s claim that LevitationTM reduces factors known to be associated with muscle fatigue—an exciting and unique accomplishment for knee braces and the field of bionics.”
The findings also support the brace’s ability to reduce demand on the muscles in order to improve performance, with participants showing an 85 percent reduction of activity in the quadriceps muscles and a 50 percent reduction of activity in the hamstring muscles during the squat task. Study participants were also able to perform up to 20 percent more squats when wearing the brace compared to the number of squats achieved when their knees were unassisted.
This data was drawn at the Levitation™ Knee Brace’s maximum assistance level. The level of assistance is adjustable and can be tailored to the user’s needs. This allows the user to specify different settings for different activities, or if the individual is recovering from an injury, to gradually reduce the level of assistance provided to zero as they recover their full strength.
“LevitationTM was designed to go above and beyond joint stabilization to assist strength and reduce fatigue. The result is a product intended to enhance mobility and expedite rehabilitation,” said Chris Cowper-Smith, CEO at Spring Loaded Technology. “It was important to us to have a study that shows our customers what sets us apart in the marketplace as they make an informed decision about which brace is best for them.”
LevitationTM Knee Braces ($1,750 USD) are currently available for pre-order.
To learn more about Spring Loaded Technology, visit www.springloadedtechnology.com.
About Spring Loaded Technology
Spring Loaded Technology is an award-winning company that is introducing compact and high-performance bionic knee braces to the world. Based in Nova Scotia, Canada, the company has revolutionized knee bracing technology to enhance the strength and power of the leg muscles. By increasing leg strength, this technology can be used in a wide range of applications including: mobility assistance, fatigue reduction, injury prevention and rehabilitation, and performance enhancement. The company was founded in 2012.
Media Contact
Melissa Landy
Uproar PR for Spring Loaded Technology
321-236-0102 x233
[email protected]]]>
