Elevated Vacuum - Replies

Elevated Vacuum - Replies

Kristin Lewis

9/30/2009

Origional Question:
As a resident, I am interested in elevated vacuum systems. Both the Otto
Bock and Ohio Willow Wood courses require that attendants be certified
practitioners. Otto Bock also requires that attendants bring their own
patient and have two more patients at the office to fit within 2-3 weeks of
completing the course. If my mentor and myself were to take this course
together, we would be required to fit 6 harmony systems in less than one
month.
Does anyone know of a socket course in elevated vacuum other than Otto Bock
or Ohio Willow Wood?
Replies:
MICA has their TSS Vaculink. <URL Redacted>

If I recall they sent me a disc or a web page that I went through & took a
little exam.

I have not used any of the available systems since leaving my former
employer (used harmony there-not certified- ridiculous requirements to
become so).
Why not try just using an expulsion valve like the TetraTec one way check
valve, hook an extension tubing to the expulsion end, have the pt buy a
brake bleeder hand pump & evacuate to ~18psi. Works great for the gadget
oriented folks. The guys I have using it say the vac lasts almost all day &
they love it.




I have taken both those courses, but am also aware that Jim Smith Sales
offers at least one if not 2 vacuum units. I suggest you contact them a see
if the offer a course as well.

[FYI to the sender to this message: Jim Smith is out of the O&P business.]





Kristin, where are all your professional fiends. The elevated vacuum
componentry is very widespread. If you want an ecconomical course you can
call Coyote Systems, or see some of your local peer group. If your
competition is that nasty, or your wearing the wrong business deordorant
this should not be a problem. If they do not sell you their component there
are plenty of others that are as satisfactory. Is your mentor having you do
this to enlighten you in regards to the O and P manufacturers marketing
strategies?





I am also a prosthetics resident. The Caldwell brothers at Suburban
Prosthetics and Orthotics in the Chicago area put on excellent courses on
vacuum systems in general. My binder from their course during school at
Northwestern had new information nobody at my practice doing vacuum systems
knew about and we use it quite a bit.
You can contact them at <Email Address Redacted> (Ryan Caldwell CP) or
<Email Address Redacted> (greg caldwell CP). 847-298-7107. If you can even get
them to send you one of their binders on the vacuum systems it is very
helpful. Hope this helps you out!





I believe Mica Corp has a system. Their # is 800 690-6422.

Talk to Chris.





Look at the Academy's website....they are sponsoring a 1 day seminar in
Chicago Oct 9 & 10 regarding elevated vacuum & scoli (I think). Any way,
the elevated vacuum is one of those 2 days. I know it's going on because
Mark put it all together. I also know that it will cover the
history/development of elevated vacuum, compare & contrast various systems &
lay out the pro's & cons.

So, other than a very short notice, see if you &/or your mentor can't both
go.

  <URL Redacted>




I think you should call your sales representative. I think they have classes
for recent graduates to come and learn at Ottobock. I am not sure if you
need to be certified already or not, but I heard about this through our rep.
Try speaking with your rep. it is to their advantage to educate so that they
can sell more of these.



Typically, if you have a pt. and want to try it, they companies you
listed will work with you to get the fitting accomplished and get around
some of the red tape you've mentioned. Remember, they are looking to
sell their product so most likely they'll jump through hoops for you if
you want to fit them and don't have time or resources to attend one of
the sessions.
Good luck. As for my input, the OWW vac seems pretty bulletproof.





As a resident, and with your residency's director's approval, with proper
communication, you should be able to attend the OWW Limblogic course. Just
contact them and explain your situation and if necessary ask for an
exception of policy. They are good people and will help you. Talk to Andy
Marsland.





I'd call Otto Bock and OWW. I've taken both courses. They brought patients
into the course for us to use.





I think the Otto Bock rule is a bit silly and unrealistic, especially

for anyone practicing in a smaller office which may not have those

bigger volumes of potential wearers of elevated vacuum systems. You may

want to just call and see if there's a way around that rule... it seems

they might be willing to take you as a student looking to learn this

technology and not make you come up with 3 patients. I also think they

have an option of you using a patient model that they provide - just

another option.





At SCOPe I know we just use the Harmony or LimbLOgic as you

mentioned. I was just at AOPA in Seattle and they were the only two

elevated vacuum systems discussed up there too. SCOPe took the course

as a company so we had more than enough practitioners for it but it

sucks for the smaller companies like yours. Could you combine with

another company in your area to take the course?? I know people had
considered that down here so that they could take the course.