College Park Prosthetics: A Review of Innovation, Technology, and User Experience
College Park Industries has emerged as a significant innovator in the field of prosthetics, driven by a commitment to enhancing the lives of amputees. This article delves into the company's approach to prosthetic design, highlighting key products and technologies, and examining the impact on users.
The College Park Philosophy: Innovation Rooted in User Needs
Founded in 1988, College Park Industries distinguished itself by questioning the status quo of the prosthetic industry. The company's initial innovation, the Trustep foot, challenged conventional thinking about prosthetic foot function. This dedication to innovation stems from a deep connection with the end-user, as Mike Leydet, director of research at College Park, explains: “What really drives innovation for us is our connection with the end user. When we see somebody who’s dealing with limb loss and some of the challenges that they confront, both physically and emotionally, it drives us to develop the best we can for them. We want to give them superior performance products."
College Park fosters design breakthroughs through a nontraditional approach to concept design. The company leverages advanced tools like PTC Creo to rapidly translate new concepts into tangible products. This agility allows College Park to stay at the forefront of prosthetic technology and meet the evolving needs of its users.
Customization and Precision: Meeting Individual Needs
Recognizing that each amputee is unique, College Park emphasizes customization in its prosthetic solutions. Factors such as the level of amputation, age, foot size, side, activity level, and impact level are carefully considered in the design process. Taszreak notes, “We consider the person’s age, foot size, side, level of activity, impact level.” The Trustep foot line alone offers over 400,000 viable combinations, enabling prosthetists to create a truly personalized fit for each individual.
PTC Creo plays a crucial role in enabling this level of customization. “With the parametric design approach provided by PTC Creo, the team can scale the design for sizes, stiffness, and other parameters,” says Taszreak. This parametric design capability allows the team to adjust the design for different sizes, stiffness levels, and other parameters to meet the individual needs of each patient. Furthermore, PTC Creo’s simulation capabilities enable the team to predict stresses and strains within the 3D models, identifying potential failure modes without constructing physical prototypes. This streamlines the design process and ensures the durability and reliability of College Park's products.
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Product Portfolio: A Spectrum of Solutions
College Park offers a diverse range of prosthetic solutions, including feet, knees, and related components. Some notable products and technologies include:
Odyssey IQ: The College Park Odyssey IQ is a next-generation microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot designed to help amputees walk with greater ease, safety, and confidence. The Odyssey IQ uses onboard microprocessors and sensors to adapt in real time. Unlike basic prosthetic feet, the Odyssey IQ integrates a hydraulic ankle with up to 12° range of motion. The Odyssey IQ is built for daily use with strong, composite materials. Regular maintenance includes sleeve replacement, routine checks of hydraulic performance, and alignment evaluations by your prosthetist. The College Park Odyssey IQ microprocessor foot is a revolutionary prosthetic technology that empowers amputees to walk with safety, confidence, and comfort.
Trustep Foot: College Park Industries’s original innovation, the Trustep foot, changed how the industry thought a prosthetic foot could function.
Soleus Line: In a recent redesign of the company’s Soleus line, College Park developed and introduced a new product in record time. “We wanted to get the product to market fast and make sure it was as durable and light as possible,” says Taszreak.
Icon MPK: The learner will be able to describe the features and functions of the Icon MPK from College Park. The purpose, core functions, and main features of the knee will be reviewed, and the user will become familiar with the setup and adjustment of the knee. In addition, the key steps of using the Stride Studio app will be explained including how to log into the app and pair with the Icon. A description of key adjustments and custom modes for the product when using the app will be reviewed. Lastly, documentation guideline and a literature review for MPKs will be discussed.
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Celsus-Tempo iVT feet: This course will provide basic vacuum fundamentals, the benefits of elevated vacuum, and a detailed overview of the Celsus-Tempo iVT feet from College Park.
Aviator, Scout, and Voyager feet: The course reviews how College Park has combined the clinical benefits of both carbon fiber and Intelliweave® to blend the best of both worlds with the Aviator, Scout, and Voyager feet. The additional benefits found when combining carbon fiber and Intelliweave® in connection to the three feet will be discussed.
Odyssey K2 and K3 feet: The learner will be able to describe the features and functions of the hydraulic technology found in the Odyssey K2 and K3 feet from College Park. The purpose, core functions, and main features of the feet will be reviewed, and the user will become familiar with the benefits of hydraulic ankles.
Guardian, Victor, and Capital knees: This course features, functions adjustments, and foot selection for the Guardian, Victor, and Capital knees. The first section focuses on the Guardian's manual lock, competitors, and adjustments. The second section focuses on the appropriate patient, key features, and adjustments specific to the Victor knee. This course provides an overview of the features and functions of the Capital hydraulic knee from College Park. The main focus of the course is product functionality, including stance phase, swing phase, stumble recovery, and trigger point adjustment.
M-Finger 2.0, Titan products, pediatric options, and the Hold-It device: This course reviews several products including the M-Finger 2.0, Titan products, pediatric options, and the Hold-It device.
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Educational Initiatives: Empowering Professionals
College Park is committed to providing continuing education opportunities for prosthetists and other healthcare professionals. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including:
Microprocessor knees and their role in navigating various terrains. The learner will identify the most common terms and vocabulary with microprocessor knees and describe how microprocessor knees assist with navigating various surfaces and terrains. The learner will understand how the microprocessor knee works with timing and adjustments. The learner will be able to describe the purpose, core functions, and main features of the Icon Knee from College Park. The course will also discuss key adjustments and custom modes for the product when using the Stride Studio app.
The benefits of vertical shock in prosthetic feet. This course will cover the benefits and clinical perspectives of vertical shock. It also identifies and reviews the different methods of vertical shock.
Human locomotion and energy relative to force. The learner will review concepts human locomotion and energy relative to force. Design history, theory, and human gait characteristics of tri-axial feet like the Trustep and Venture will be discussed. The learner will understand how prosthetic feet can mimic eccentric, concentric, and isometric contractions.
Mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic prosthetic knee designs. The learner will review concepts in mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic prosthetic knee designs. Design criteria and product development will be discussed. The learner will gain a better understanding of the proper patient selection for each product type.
Multi-axial motion in prosthetic foot design. This course will cover the benefits of multi-axial motion in prosthetic foot design. We will review the history of previous multi-axial designs from College Park.
Vacuum fundamentals and elevated vacuum systems. This course will provide basic vacuum fundamentals, the benefits of elevated vacuum, and a detailed overview of the Celsus-Tempo iVT feet from College Park.
Anatomical and prosthetic terminology. This course will cover anatomical and prosthetic terms. A review of gait and normal human locomotion as it relates to prosthetics will be presented. The functionality of materials proprietary to College Park product will be described. There is a discussion of the difference between Impact level and Activity level in K2 feet.
Troubleshooting prosthetic system noises and gait matching. This course will review sources and solutions for finding noises in prosthetic systems, gait-matching as it relates to choosing the correct firmness in a College Park foot, and impact vs activity level in K3 feet. In addition, we will present the clinical benefits of iST technology and how these feet differ from most in the industry.
Torsion capabilities in prosthetic feet. This detailed new course reviews the benefits of torsion capabilities-review torsional adapters' history and design as well as the clinical benefits. Learn to identify the anatomical motions at the ankle and to explain the socket pressures due to torsional activities.
Fiberglass and carbon fiber composite materials. This MCE course focuses on the benefits of both fiberglass and carbon fiber composite materials. Topics include the specific manufacturing process of College Park's Intelliweave glass-based composite. Participants will have a better understanding of the clinical benefits of both carbon fiber and glass-based composites.
Real-World Impact: Empowering Active Lives
The impact of College Park's innovations is perhaps best illustrated by the stories of individuals who have benefited from their products. Reggie Showers, a two-time world motorcycle drag racing champion, pilot, rock climber, and snowboard instructor, exemplifies the active lifestyle that College Park prosthetics can enable. "Every day I wake up is a beautiful day," he says, expressing his gratitude for the technology that allows him to live life to the fullest.
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