Innowalk Pro training module

The aim is to optimise the person's position in the Innowalk Pro

• Joint over joint
• Symmetry

Three important support points on the Innowalk Pro

• a. Chest support
• b. Pelvic support
• c. Leg support

Supporting points need to be adjusted to achieve appropriate position in standing.

The goals are to

• Maintain skeletal alignment.
• Facilitate normal movement patterns or control abnormal movement patterns.

The positioning in the Innowalk Pro is dependent on the individual's range of motion in joints, muscle tone/stiffness, upper body control and leg length discrepancy.

See below slides on what to identify and pay attention to.

The measurement form can be used during the assessment and before preparing the Innowalk Pro to the user/patient specifications.

Here is a link to the measurement form.

The form for personal settings can be used to register the set up of the Innowalk Pro to a specific user/patient and replicate settings at a later session.

It is alway the Innowalk Pro Coordinator with a clinical background who will identify if the user/patient as an appropriate candidate for the Innowalk Pro. It is also the coordinator who will set up the device to the user/patient for the  first time and fill out the "Personal setting form".

Here is a link to the form.

The Innowalk & Innowalk Pro have integrated transport wheels. The wheels are hidden behind the side covers of the product and are lowered by using the crank arm.

1. Remove the guide-straps from the attachment point on the "wing" and fasten them around the leg support

2. Use the crank arm to lower the transport wheels

3. Transport the device either from the front using the arm handles or from the rear.

Innowalk Pro has an emergency seat lowering mechanism that can be use if the device lose external power or the remote control does not work.  The emergency mechanism allow you to manually lower the seat to sitting position. 

The emergency release is located at the bottom of the back column. To activate the emergency release, the safety lock on the handle must first be released.

The emergency seat lowering should in normal working conditions not be used.

If the emergency lowering mechanism has been used, please perform a troubleshooting test to ensure that all functions on the Innowalk Pro are working before entering a new user/patient:

• Check that power is on
• Check that the emergency stop switch is not pushed in
• Perform a reset-function called "homing". Press and hold both the “stand” and the “sit” – button on the remote control. While holding you hear one long high pitched beep and you will see the actuator move towards an upright position. When the actuators reach the end position a confirmation beep will sound and you can release the buttons. Homing is now done. When this sequence is finished, the sit to stand function should react normally to input on the remote control. 
• Check that the device respond to all other functions on the remote control.

If the device is not responding as intended, please contact your Made for Movement representative and report failure. 

The seat on the Innowalk Pro can be turned to either the left or the right side, for easier entrance. 

Pull down and turn the index bolt under the front of the seat to the side to release the locking mechanism for the swivel seat.

Swing out the upper part of the leg support by pulling the index bolt - lift the leg support upwards and rotate it. Release the bolt at the back to fold the leg support all the way down parallel to the ski. 

The emergency stop switch is located on the side panel. Push the emergency stop switch  to disconnect the power. Rotate the switch to activate the power.

The spasm control indicator is located on the side panel. The objective with the spasm control function is to stop the Innowalk if the user has a spasm in the legs.

The spasm resistance level is set individually for each user. If a user has a spasm that exceeds the threshold set, the Innowalk motor will pause. When the spasm is over, the Innowalk will slowly start again.

Adjust the spasm between value 1-6.

1 indicates the lowest level (most sensitive) and 6 the highest level (least sensitive)

At level 1, little force is needed to activate the spasm control and stop the motor and at level 6, a higher force is needed to activate the spasm control and stop the motor.

Seat and upright actuator homing

If the sit to stand function doesn’t respond to the remote control, a reset-function called “homing” must be performed.

Warning: Never perform “homing” with the user/patient in the product.

• Power on the device.
• Simultaneously press and hold the "Stand" and "Sit" buttons. You will hear a short beep and after approx. 8 seconds you will hear a longer high pitch beep and the unit will begin to engage in standing, keep holding the sit to stand buttons. 
• When the homing is complete you will hear a short confirmation beep. Now you can release the buttons. Homing is completed.
  
  
• When this sequence is finished, the sit to stand function should react normally to input on the remote control. 

Seat height actuator homing

If the seat height function doesn’t respond to the remote control, a reset-function called “homing” must be performed.

Warning: Never perform “homing” with the user/patient in the product.

• Power on the device.
• Simultaneously press and hold the "Seat up" and "Seat down" buttons. You will hear a short beep and after approx. 8 seconds you will hear a longer high pitch beep and the unit will begin to engage in raising, keep holding the "seat up" & "seat down" buttons
• When the homing is complete you will hear a short confirmation beep. Now you can release the buttons. Homing completed.
• When this sequence is finished, the seat height function should react normally to input on the remote control.

E-seat depth actuator homing

If the seat depth function doesn’t respond to the remote control, a reset-function called “homing” must be performed.

Warning: Never perform “homing” with the user/patient in the product.

• Power on the device.
• Use the seat depth adjustment button located on the side panel to run the seat depth all the way out in until it stops by itself. The E-Seat has now completed the homing process.
• When this sequence is finished, the E-seat depth adjustment should react normally to input on the adjustment button.

Seat depth

The electronic seat depth switch is located on the side panel. By pressing the left arrow, the seat depth will be increase to fit larger users. Decrease the sitting depth for smaller users by pressing the left arrow. Adjustments should be done primarily before the user is placed in the product. Minor adjustments can be done with the user in but needs to be done with great care.

Use the length indicator on the underside of the seat plate to replicate desired seat depth.

Seat height

Adjust height of the seat on remote control. The sitting height should be adjusted so there is a 90-degree angle in the knee joint, when the user’s feet are resting on the foot plate. Use the height indicator to replicate desired seat height.

Adjust the height and width of the chest support by loosening the handles. Use the indicator ruler/s to replicate desired height and width.​

Lengthwise position

The foot plates can be adjusted lengthwise. Loosen the handle screws under the foot plate and adjust it back and forward. Tighten handle screws in correct position. Use the position indicator ruler to replicate desired position to the other side.​

​The aim is to position the foot plates in a position where the user is aligned with hips over knees and knees over ankles in standing position.  ​

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Sideway position 

The foot plate can be adjusted sideways. Adjust the width of feet position by loosening the handle screws at the front and back of the foot plate. Use the position indicator ruler to replicate desired position to the other side.

Adjust the height of the leg support so the upper part of the upholstery padding is approximately 1 cm under the patella.

Attach the guide-strap

Attach the guide-strap to the hock on the leg support on both sides, before adjusting the length of the guide-strap.

Warning: Never bring a user into standing without attaching guide-straps to both sides.

Length of guide-strap

The position of the leg support is adjusted by the length of the guide-strap.​

To provide an optimal position of user/patient, define the desired length on the guide-strap.

The guide-strap length is adjusted by using the crank-handle at the back of the device.​

Clockwise turning – to shorten the guide-strap.​

Anti-clockwise turning – to lengthen the guide-strap.

In most cases the length of the guide-strap is handled by using the crank-handle. In cases where there is a need to shorten the guide-strap further, the loops on the guide-strap can be used.

The hip support can be adjusted in height and width. Release the wingnut in the centre of the bracket to adjust width. Release all three wingnuts to adjust height. 

The position of the head rest can be adjusted by relasing the knobs and arranging the head rest to the desired position. 

The cam stop knob located parallel to the foot plate reduces the range of motion of the leg support and may be used to reduce hyperextension over the knee.

Clockwise turning - leg support moves forward.

Anti-clockwise turning - leg support moves backwards.

Insert the extra sole to compensate for leg length discrepancy, if needed.

Pre-check shall be conducted daily and monthly. At the back of the neck support, there is a label with a QR code. Scan the code to get access to the Pre-check in your prefered language or click here. 

To be able to set up the Innowalk Pro for the individual person the following measurements will be required:

• Overall height
• Lower leg height (Sole of shoe to centre of knee joint)

Before transferring the user into the device​:

• Turn on the device
• Place the Innowalk Pro in sitting position
• Swing away the leg supports​
• Open all straps, chest and hip support, release the guide-straps ​
• Position foot plate on the entrance side in lowest position in the walking cycle 
• Turn swivel seat to preferred ​entrance side (if used)
• Release the anti-overstretch (cam stop) 
• Pre-set the spasm control to zero

Transfer

Transfer the user into the seat. In the sitting position using the swivel seat the person's feet should be on the ground to increase stability. Support the user carefully, until you have secured the chest support and belt. 

The person can also be transferred into the device with a hoist, without using the swivel seat function. 

Turn swivel seat to front position

Increase the sitting height before turning the seat to front position. This will allow for easier access of the users feet to locate into the foot plates. 

Secure straps over the feet

Make sure the users heels is in contact with the heel cap on the foot plate. Secure the straps over the feet. Make sure the straps are tight enough to avoid the person from moving the feet that may result into an incorrect position.

Attach leg support and guide-string

Attach the leg support to the user and secure the strap. You can adjust the users leg position back and forward in the leg support by adjusting the strap on the upholstery padding. 

Attach the guide-string on the hock on the leg support on both sides and adjust the length on the guide-string with the crank handle at the back.

Sitting to standing position

Use the remote control to move the user from a sitting to standing position. To ensure good alignment in standing an operator can push down on the guide-strap when transitioning from sitting into standing. Reduce the tension on the guide-strap gradually when the person is standing in the desired position. 

The grade indicator can be used to define individual amount of stretch position.  

Secure the hip belt

Adjust the hip supports into the desired position (at the level of Trochanter major) and secure the hip belt.

Release hip belt

Always release the hip belt in standing, before lowering the user down into sitting position. 

Lower the device into sitting position

Use the remote control to lower the user into a sitting position. An operator can put pressure on the guide-strap to avoid the person from sliding down on the seat during the transition process.

Release the leg support

Release the straps over the feet. Unhook the guide-straps, release the leg supports and swing them away.

Turn seat to side position

Increase the seat height to release the feet from the foot plates. Turn the swivel seat to side position desired for preferred exit. Pay attention to user's legs when rotating the seat, so they don't get tangled. Lower the seat down, so the person's feet are in good contact with the floor.

Release the chest support

Support the person, when you release the chest belt and support. You can now transfer the person safely out of the device.

A hoist can also be used to transfer the person out of the device.  Ensure slings and hoists are securely attached and in position before releasing the chest supports.

Attach the arm handles in the brackets and adjust to desired height. Position the handles by releasing the two knobs. 

Ensure when tightening the knobs, that the locking joints are interlacing:

Hand fixation gloves can be used in combination with the arm handles to support positioning of the hands.

Hand fixation gloves are included in the standard configuration.

The tray can be swiveled away or removed when it is not in use.

Attach the tray by entering the tube-bracket. Pull down the knob and swivel the tray to front position. Pull down the knob to swivel the tray away. 

Adjust the height of the tray by releasing the knob at the back of the column. Slide the tray up/down to the desired position and tighten the knob again. 

Depth and angle of the tray is adjusted by loosening the adjustment knobs under the tray. 

The tray can be assembled so that it can swing either to the right or to the left side. 

Attach the bracket for the shoulder straps to the column. The top end of the straps inserts through the bracket on the column and the bottom end of the straps inserts through the receivers attached to the chest belt. Adjust the length of the straps, so it supports the user well in standing. 

Shoulder straps are included in the standard configuration.

The Neck collar can be used if the user has limited head control. It is available in 3 sizes: 

Neck circumference

• S: 30 cm (+/- 5 cm)
• M: 40 cm (+/- 5 cm)
• L: 50 cm (+/- 5 cm)

Size S and M are included in standard configuration for the size medium Innowalk Pro. Size M and L are included in standard configuration for the size large Innowalk Pro. 

The build up soles can be placed on the footplates to compensate for leg length discrepancy up to 2 cm.

Build up soles are included in the standard configuration. 

Due to reduced ROM in knees and hips, it may not be possible to achieve full extension in standing. There is a need to allow the user/patient to be in a midway position of sitting/standing. ​

​Possible solutions​

• ​Measure the extension deficit in knees and hips before testing out the Innowalk Pro, to know how much the user/patient can extend into a standing position.​

• Have the user’s/patient’s most affected leg in the lowest position in the Innowalk Pro while seated.
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• NOTE! The guide-strap should be tight when sitting.
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• Observe closely the user’s/patient’s most affected knee when moving from sitting to standing position.
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• STOP in the position according to ROM in knees and hips (a goniometer over the knee joint can be used to control ROM). The position indicator ruler on the seat can be used as a reference value for future sessions.
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• Solution described in FAQ 2 can also be used.​

When moving the user/patient into full stretch in standing the user/patient will compensate with “anteversion” of the pelvis if he/she has an extension deficit in the hips.

Possible solution

• To avoid compensating movement of the pelvis move the seat on the Innowalk Pro down a little into increased sitting position, by pressing the «down button» 1-2 times on the remote control. This will allow for some flexion over the hips
• Observe that the user’s/patient’s pelvis is in a natural position
• Shorten the length on the guide-strap if more stretch over the knees is available & desired

Possible solution

• Measure the leg length discrepancy and use the extra build up sole inserts supplied on the shortest leg (compensate up to 2 cm difference).
  
  
• Observe the movement when the patient is standing to make sure that the movement is symmetrical. If the patient is overstretching on the leg, please see FAQ 6.

Possible solutions

• Ensure that all settings on the Innowalk Pro are symmetrical and that the user/patient is positioned symmetrically
• Control the length on the guide-strap. Is the guide-strap too short and causing the extension pattern? Lengthen the guide-strap.

If it is not the guide-strap causing the extension pattern, the patient might need to have some flexion over the hips to “control the spasticity”.

• Move the seat on the Innowalk Pro down a little into increases sitting position, by pressing the «down button» 1-2 times on the remote control
• Or use the cam stop/anti-overstretch to reduce extension over the knees

Possible solutions

• Check the position of the calf bow/shin support – is it too high/low?
  
  
• Check the distance between the foot plates. If the patient is standing with too much of a width stance, the pressure will increase on the medial side of the knee
  
  
• Check the upholstery padding– is it positioned correctly?