STEETS: Mobile and safely on the move in the rehabilitation process

In the rehabilitation process, it is important to get patients mobile again as safely and effectively as possible. Walking aids are often used to regain mobility, but these are also associated with a risk of injury from tripping or falls due to equipment issues. The STEETS support can make the use of walking aids safer.

In an interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Thorben Engel explains exactly how the aid contributes to greater safety for patients.

Mr. Engel, to what extent does the STEETS support improve ergonomics and safety for users compared to walking aids without this device?

Thorben Engel: Everyone knows the problem: I want to answer my cell phone, open a door, wash my hands - where should I put my walking aids while I'm doing this? If there are no stationary support systems available, the crutches are often leaned against walls or furniture in order to have one hand free. The next thing you hear is the loud bang of the mobility aids falling to the floor. This is because the walking aids are rather difficult to lean up. The problem that patients then face is picking up their own walking aids again - not at all safe with a new hip or balance problems.

That is why we have developed the STEETS parking aid. It is an upgrade for the walking aid, can be easily attached to your own crutch and allows you to park it in an open space. By pulling a handle, four stable feet unfold at the lower end of the support and hold it securely in an upright position. This leaves the user's hands free to carry out rehabilitation exercises, for example. When the crutches are loaded, the legs fold in again and the crutches can be used as normal.

Unintentional and potentially harmful movements, such as bending down to pick up fallen walking aids or tripping over them, can be prevented. This significantly reduces the risk of injury and pain. The parking aid ensures that the user's walking aids are always within easy reach and safely positioned, which minimizes falls and accidents. Compared to conventional walking aids, which often lean against walls or are placed in predefined locations and are therefore difficult to reach when suddenly needed, our parking aid offers reliable and immediate access to the user's own walking aids.

How does the aid support therapeutic measures in orthopedic rehabilitation and what advantages does it offer over traditional methods?

Engel: It optimizes therapeutic measures in orthopedic rehabilitation by keeping walking aids always positioned directly next to patients. By providing a stable place to store walking aids, users can carry out their exercises more safely and are more mobile in everyday clinical practice. Free-standing movements in particular are easier to perform.

How does the support aid influence the gait pattern and posture of users in the long term, especially in the post-operative phase?

Engel: The aid supports the recovery process by preventing setbacks caused by falls, for example. Fall prevention is an important aspect of rehabilitation, particularly in the post-operative phase, as falls are a significant problem. Patients can concentrate fully on the therapy and their progress, which leads to improved mobility in the long term.

What tests were carried out to ensure safety and effectiveness in everyday clinical practice?

Engel: The STEETS support aid was developed in collaboration with doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. Patients tested the product in several test phases and contributed to its finalization with their feedback. Long-term tests carried out in parallel ensure that no unexpected changes occur to the product in the long term. In addition to the mechanical assessment, biological tests were also carried out to check the skin compatibility of the STEETS parking aid.

Were there any challenges during the development of the parking aid?

Engel: One of the main challenges during development was to combine suitability for everyday use with a minimalist design. Our aim was to ensure that the product could be used intuitively without making everyday life more difficult. To achieve this, we set strict requirements in terms of weight, size and functionality. The positive feedback from users confirmed that this approach was the right one.

How does the use of recycled plastic in manufacturing contribute to sustainability in medical technology?

Engel: Unfortunately, the use of recycled plastic in medical technology is not possible without restrictions. Various requirements mean that the use of so-called recyclates can lead to high costs or technical and biological difficulties. Nevertheless, in order to conserve resources, we have identified the parts of the STEETS parking aid that can be made from recycled material without hesitation and selected suitable plastics in collaboration with experts. We believe it is important to act sustainably and are convinced that recyclates can and should be used in many products in this way.

Are you planning further medical technology developments to improve the mobility and safety of patients?

Engel: We have always said that the STEETS parking aid is just the beginning of a larger product range. Our accumulated experience and the close exchange with patients and healthcare experts serve as the basis for the development of further products. The focus will always be on the needs of the users so that the new ideas continue to make everyday life easier. The development of the next product has already begun.